TransUnion SmartMove
TransUnion SmartMove is a web-based tenant screening service for independent rental owners and applicants.
What TransUnion SmartMove is
TransUnion SmartMove is a web-based tenant screening service for independent rental owners and applicants. Depending on the selected package, its reports cover criminal background, credit, eviction, income insights, and identity information. Basic plans include ResidentScore and criminal background screening for $25.00 per screening; SmartCheck Plus is $40.00 per screening and adds credit and eviction reports; SmartCheck Premium is $49.00 per screening and adds Income Insights and an identity check. Prices are plus tax where applicable. There is no subscription charge: the owner pays per screening or, where permitted, passes the cost to the applicant. If the applicant pays, only the top screening level is available. Applicants verify their identity and authorize screening before reports are delivered. Most reports arrive the same day after verification, and a credit report creates a soft inquiry that does not affect the applicant’s credit score. Laws may limit which criminal or eviction records are available in some jurisdictions.
Good
- Offers credit, criminal, and eviction reports.
- Includes income and identity information in Premium.
- Credit reports create a soft inquiry.
- Most reports arrive the same day after verification.
- Charges per use without a subscription.
Watch out
- Tenant-paid screenings are limited to the top level.
- Criminal and eviction records may be restricted by local laws.
Who it suits
SmartMove suits independent rental owners and smaller property management groups that do not need frequent screening. Applicants can authorize a screening and, where permitted, pay its cost.
Verdict
SmartMove offers several screening packages with per-use billing and applicant authorization. Check which package is available and whether local rules limit records before starting a screening.
Plans and prices
From TransUnion SmartMove's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Background Check Basic | $25, paid once | ResidentScore · criminal background · Per screening; plus tax where applicable |
| SmartCheck Basic | $25, paid once | ResidentScore · criminal background · Per screening; plus tax where applicable |
| SmartCheck Plus | $40, paid once | ResidentScore · criminal background · credit · eviction · Per screening; plus tax where applicable |
| SmartCheck Premium | $49, paid once | ResidentScore · criminal background · credit · eviction · Income Insights · identity check · Per screening; plus tax where applicable |
The facts
Each one read from TransUnion SmartMove's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Applicant consent
- Applicants receive an email, authenticate their identity, and authorize screening before reports are delivered.checked 4 Oct 2026
What it does
- Credit inquiry
- A SmartMove credit report generates a soft inquiry that does not affect the applicant’s credit score.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The renter terms describe access through the SmartMove website or an integration platform, without naming a specific integration.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes SmartMove as suited to independent rental owners and smaller property management groups that do not need frequent screening access.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Payment
- The property owner can pay or, where permitted, pass screening costs to the applicant; the service charges per use without a subscription.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- TransUnion’s privacy notice covers TransUnion Rental Screening Services and was effective July 1, 2026.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- SmartMove is an online tenant screening service for independent property owners and rental applicants.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Record availability
- Federal, state, and local laws may restrict which criminal or eviction records can be returned in some jurisdictions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- ResidentScore
- ResidentScore is a tenant screening score that the maker says predicts eviction risk 15% better than traditional credit scores.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Screening reports
- Depending on the package, reports include credit, criminal background, eviction, income insights, and identity information.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- TransUnion says its security program includes annual or more frequent internal and external penetration tests and certifications including PCI, SSAE 18 SOC II Type II, and ISO 27001.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- SmartMove provides a help and FAQ section for screening questions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Tenant-pay limitation
- When the tenant pays, only the top level of the screening service is available to select.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Turnaround
- Most screening reports are delivered the same day after the applicant verifies their identity.checked 4 Oct 2026
Alternatives to TransUnion SmartMove
- 1
RentSpree
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.0From $6.99 a month - 2
ApplyConnect
Free planAndroidiOSWeb7.9$29.95 one-time - 3
Rent With Clara
Free planAndroidiOSWeb7.9$49 one-time - 4
Ayillo Tenant Screening
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.8From $49 a month - 5
Certn Tenant Screening
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.3 - 6
SingleKey
Free planWebAPI7.3From $5 a month