TransUnion SmartMove: What It Is and How It Impacts Renters

TransUnion SmartMove is only a tool. It can be helpful, but it’s not perfect.

When you apply for a rental, your application may be processed through a screening service called TransUnion SmartMove, offered by TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions, Inc. (often referred to simply as SmartMove).  

Learn how SmartMove works, what kind of information it reports (and its limitations), whether it triggers a hard credit inquiry, how it compares to alternatives like RentSpree, how errors can happen, and what you can do if you’ve been unfairly flagged.    

For a deeper dive into fighting, and fixing, background check errors, check out our practice page.

What is TransUnion SmartMove?

The term TransUnion SmartMove refers to the tenant-screening platform offered by TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions. 

What does TransUnion SmartMove do?

TransUnion SmartMove allows landlords (and their agents) to request a screening report on prospective tenants, and gives renters the option to “push” their data to a landlord via the SmartMove system.

The process is fully online: the applicant receives an invitation, authorizes the report, and then the landlord receives the screening results. The TransUnion SmartMove report aims to provide a full picture of a rental applicant by combining credit history, criminal background, and eviction data (depending on the package selected) with other proprietary metrics.

TransUnion SmartMove is pitched as a way for landlords to more quickly and confidently approve rental applicants. The service emphasizes convenience, speed (“most reports delivered same day”) and the protection of sensitive data (the applicant doesn’t give their full Social Security number or credit account numbers directly to the landlord) under the SmartMove platform.

For renters this means that when you apply, you might see a request for permission to run a TransUnion SmartMove report, or you may be asked to complete the screening yourself as part of the application process.

Notably, because TransUnion is also one of the major credit-reporting agencies, the TransUnion SmartMove brand carries weight. 

Is TransUnion SmartMove Legit?

Is TransUnion SmartMove safe? Or, a better way to put it – is TransUnion SmartMove legit? Yes – the company behind this tennant screening service is legitimate.

TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions is featured by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) as a consumer-reporting company in the tenant-screening category and provides tenant screening reports, estimated income insights, resident risk scores, and leasing recommendations for landlords. 

TransUnion’s own product page for SmartMove explains that the service is “straight from the source” (one of the three major nationwide credit bureaus) and is designed “just for tenant screening.”  

So, if you see “TransUnion SmartMove” on your rental application or correspondence, you are being processed through a recognized screening product.

But you should treat it with healthy scrutiny: check exactly what data is in the report, ask for a copy if the landlord uses it against you, and be aware that errors or unfair treatment based on the report do happen (which you can challenge). 

Is TransUnion SmartMove a Hard Inquiry?

One of the most asked questions by renters is whether the TransUnion SmartMove screening results in a hard inquiry on their credit file (and thus could hurt their credit score). 

The short answer is no. Using TransUnion SmartMove for rental screening typically results in a soft inquiry – meaning it does not impact your personal credit score.

According to multiple sources, the credit component of a TransUnion SmartMove report is delivered as a soft pull, which is designed to preserve the applicant’s credit standing.

For example, the RentSpree article on “What does a TransUnion SmartMove report show?” states that the credit report component “results in a soft inquiry on an applicant’s credit history, which has no effect on the individual’s credit score.” 

Also, the TransUnion SmartMove “how it works” section confirms that no full Social Security number or account numbers are shared with the landlord, and that the check is processed under standard consumer-reporting rules for screening. 

From a tenant’s perspective, this is an important point: even though you are allowing a screening via TransUnion SmartMove, your broader credit score (your traditional TransUnion credit score or FICO) should not drop just because the screening is run.

While the credit inquiry itself is a soft pull, the outcome of the TransUnion SmartMove report may still be used by a landlord to deny your application, require a larger deposit, or impose other conditions.

So, while the soft inquiry protects your credit score, it doesn’t protect you from screening outcomes – that’s why you should know your rights, review the TransUnion SmartMove report if you can, and consider legal help if you believe you were unfairly screened. 

What Does TransUnion SmartMove Show?

Understanding exactly what the TransUnion SmartMove report shows is key for renters and landlords alike. The report typically includes several components: a credit report, criminal background check, eviction-related report, income insights, and a proprietary tenant risk score called ResidentScore®. 

It typically includes:

1. Credit Report Component:
   • The credit report in the TransUnion SmartMove report includes the applicant’s name/address verification, basic identifying information, tradeline summary (open accounts, past debt, collection accounts), inquiries, credit history, payment patterns, etc. 
   • It may note whether the Social Security number is verified, and other fraud indicators. The credit report portion is used by landlords to assess financial responsibility and the ability of the applicant to pay rent on time.
2. ResidentScore®: 
   • A proprietary score built specifically for rental screening. TransUnion states that ResidentScore® is designed to better predict evictions (it predicts evictions 15% better than a typical credit score in certain populations).
   • This score ranges from 350 to 850 and is based on factors like payment history, credit utilization, credit history length, credit availability and inquiries. Landlords may rely heavily on this score as part of their decision-making.
3. Criminal Background Check:
   • The TransUnion SmartMove report will include criminal record data and millions of criminal records are searched, including national sex offender registries and global sanctions lists. 
   • The landlord receives this as part of the screening package if selected.
4. Eviction / Rental History Report: 
   • SmartMove also provides an eviction-related report, checking judgment for possession, unlawful detainer filings and other rental judgment data.  
5. Income Insights:
   • Some packages include income Insights – A TransUnion model used to estimate whether the applicant’s self-reported income matches their credit behavior. 
6. Social Security Number & Identity Verification:
   • While the applicant’s SSN is used for verification, the landlord does not see the full SSN or account numbers; SmartMove hides sensitive personal data from the landlord. 
7. Limitations:
   • The RentSpree article mentioned earlier, discusses “limitations of the TransUnion SmartMove report” – for example, delays if the applicant doesn’t commence the process, potential for errors given speed of processing, and that some jurisdictions restrict the availability of certain records.
   • Recognizing these limitations is important for renters who believe the TransUnion SmartMove report may have been inaccurate or incomplete.

For a renter, the takeaway is: If a landlord tells you “we used TransUnion SmartMove and we are declining based on that report,” you have a right to ask for a copy of the report (or request it via TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions) and to challenge any incorrect data. 

Also you should ask exactly which component of the TransUnion SmartMove report was used to deny you a rental (ResidentScore? Credit history? Eviction history?). Because the service uses a specialized format tailored for rental screening (not exactly the same as a full consumer credit report), there may be nuances – e.g. your regular TransUnion credit score may differ from your SmartMove ResidentScore.

Are RentSpree and SmartMove the Same?

“Is RentSpree and SmartMove the same?” This is a common question.

No- they are distinct, though related, platforms in the tenant-screening market. 

TransUnion SmartMove is the screening product; RentSpree is a separate platform that may use or reference SmartMove in its content or services. They are not the same service.

The term “SmartMove” (or specifically TransUnion SmartMove) refers to the screening product offered by TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions.

On the other hand, RentSpree is a rental-application platform that integrates tenant-screening tools, including SmartMove. RentSpree may leverage or link to the SmartMove product (or its features) for landlords and tenants using its application platform, but RentSpree is not the same legal entity as TransUnion SmartMove. 

If you as a tenant are reviewing your screening process, ask: “Which screening company is being used? Is the report branded TransUnion SmartMove? Who will store the report? Who do I contact for a copy or to dispute it?” That clarity is part of protecting your rights when faced with a rental denial.

You should confirm which screening service you are being asked to use. Are you being asked to submit to “TransUnion SmartMove” directly (via the SmartMove website) or through a platform like RentSpree that may facilitate ordering a SmartMove report?

Knowing which entity is behind the screening product is important for your rights (who to contact for disputes, what data was used, what fees you paid, etc.).

Errors in a TransUnion SmartMove Report

Even though the TransUnion SmartMove product is legitimate and widely used, a significant number of tenants are impacted unfairly because of errors or mis-uses of the TransUnion SmartMove report. When you’re a rental applicant, you should know how errors or mis-interpretation of the TransUnion SmartMove report can happen, and what to do about it.

Common error types

• Incorrect personal identifying information. Even though SmartMove hides full SSN and account numbers, the report still uses verification of SSN, name, address, etc. If the identifying information is mismatched, you may be flagged or the report may pull a wrong file. 
• Thin credit file / no credit history. Because SmartMove’s ResidentScore® is tailored for tenant screening, applicants with little or no credit history (no credit cards, few tradelines) may get a low ResidentScore even if they have perfect rental history.
  • A Reddit user described: “I ended up getting a ‘Residents Score’ that is over 60 points below my actual TransUnion Credit Score… I have a spotless record as a renter.” This kind of discrepancy can trigger a rental denial via a TransUnion SmartMove report even though your consumer credit score is strong.
• Eviction/collection records not updated or mis-matched. The TransUnion SmartMove report includes eviction-related judgments, but certain jurisdictions limit availability of such records.  
• Model/score limitations. The SmartMove scoring model has inherent constraints. Because the applicant initiates the screening process, delays or cancellations can occur if the submission is incomplete or interrupted.
  • Additionally, rapid or automated processing may sometimes result in errors, outdated information, or incomplete data being used to generate the score.
• Report mis-use by landlords. Even a correct TransUnion SmartMove report can be mis-used. For example: a landlord treats the ResidentScore® as identical to a traditional credit score, or fails to give proper adverse-action notice when denying an applicant based on the SmartMove report.

What You Should Do to Fix Errors

1. Request a copy of the report. If you’re denied a rental, ask if a TransUnion SmartMove report was used, and request a copy.
   • Under the FCRA you may have rights to receive the consumer-reporting agency’s file. Since TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions is listed by the CFPB, you may contact them for your report. You can also request a credit check for free at annualcreditreport.com. 
2. Review for inaccuracies. Look for incorrect name/address, SSN mismatches, incorrect tradelines, collection accounts that you resolved, wrong eviction records, thin-file issues.
3. Dispute any inaccuracies. TransUnion’s rental‐screening dispute process is outlined in their “Rental Screening Dispute Process” page. What they fail to tell you is that the “safest” way to dispute and preserve your rights is – via certified mail. 
4. Check whether the landlord gave you proper notice. If you were denied based on the TransUnion SmartMove report, the landlord must give you an adverse-action notice including the name of CRA (TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions), a statement of your right to dispute, and so forth.
5. Get legal help. If you believe you were unfairly denied a rental because of inaccurate TransUnion SmartMove data – a consumer protection lawyer at Consumer Justice Law Firm can assist.

In practice, some renters are accepted by landlords despite a low ResidentScore® because they provide information or take action that balances the concern(paying a higher deposit, finding a co-signer, providing an explanation of thin history).

But if you were simply denied with no explanation and you suspect the TransUnion SmartMove report contained errors, you should take action.

Whether your screening came from TransUnion SmartMove, a bank partner like USAA, or another consumer reporting source, you have the same legal rights to dispute and correct errors.

GET JUSTICE! Fight for fixes & money!

If you were unfairly screened, denied, or flagged by a TransUnion SmartMove report – or any background check services provider, you do not have to accept the result quietly.

At Consumer Justice Law Firm we help consumers who have been harmed by faulty or unfair screening – particularly when the screening service is something like TransUnion SmartMove abd you were hit with a “high-risk tenant” label that makes no sense.

If you’ve been flagged or denied in a way that seems unfair, we are here to help you fight back and get justice.

If you’d like help reviewing your screening report, determining whether the TransUnion SmartMove report was used correctly, or exploring whether your rights were violated, contact our team. 

We will guide you through the process and work to protect your rental-housing access.

FREE Consultations! You pay $0 upfront or out of pocket. We get paid by the companies we sue. No Justice, No Fee.^TM