Round Rock, TX · Member since 2017 · 2 posts · 2 votes
Went through the tools section under BiggerPockets and it referenced "TransUnion Full Credit Report by RentPrep" and linked to RentPrep's site. Previously I've used SmartMove by Transunion.
I'm looking at the TransUnion Full Credit Report on RentPrep and it seems to encompass everything that the RentPrep background check has but I'm not clear on how it differs from SmartCheck Premium (also by transunion).
Now if you are located in those states you may be fine. If you run a record check for say Massachusetts they can have a record and you won't get it back. Theoretically Rent Prep is screening additional states of residence but we'll see.
@SJ Farrugia I actually am a screener with RentPrep and I'd be more than happy to go into more details about our packages with you if you wanted to message me directly, or you can use our Livechat feature to talk to a screener in house. You can also call us directly and we'd be more than happy to answer questions that you may have.
Property Manager · Grants Pass, OR · Member since 2009 · 429 posts · 201 votes
3y
RentPrep is going to give you a much more complete picture and much more reliable criminal background. Transunion's criminal data is severely lacking in most states.
Now if you are located in those states you may be fine. If you run a record check for say Massachusetts they can have a record and you won't get it back. Theoretically Rent Prep is screening additional states of residence but we'll see.
Investor · Saint Joseph, MI · Member since 2022 · 31 posts · 44 votes
2y
I was just in RentPrep and I saw this:
NOTE: The following states are not included in the Nationwide Criminal Search: AL, CO, D.C., DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, RI, SC, SD, VT, and WY
Is that new? I've used RentPrep for years and I don't recall that disclaimer. That's half of the states that aren't included in the criminal search (including mine). Does anyone have any other options that they prefer for a more comprehensive background check?
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
2y
@Nick Zupec the background check is transunion , I believe anyone using transunion has these exclusions. You can add on a nationwide check but I do not believe this is a real check per se. They said to me they look for indicators and then run a check if indicated.( I assume in court records). They say their reports "which are hand-compiled from our FCRA Certified Screeners." are different from transunion. Where did you find this?
Rental Property Investor · Algonquin, IL · Member since 2019 · 55 posts · 63 votes
2y
I'm using TransUnion through Apartments.com applications. I've been using them for years. All of a sudden, EVERY application is coming back squeaky clean despite criminal records, misdemeanors, felonies, evictions that can be found with a public records search. Anyone getting answers? TransUnion can't give me an answer I understand. They are saying it'll report "crimes at a national level like national sex offender list" but that they can't access county or state level offenses. I'm so confused...and very frustrated.
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
2y
@Christle Stezskal Some states have expanded the ban the box law of which Illinois is one. I think transunion has stopped supplying information in states where they don't believe they can comply with local law but they don't have an actual set of states listed like some services. I know cook county charges extra for their records too and they may not include them. Can you use a state system?
@Christle Stezskal Some states have expanded the ban the box law of which Illinois is one. I think transunion has stopped supplying information in states where they don't believe they can comply with local law but they don't have an actual set of states listed like some services. I know cook county charges extra for their records too and they may not include them. Can you use a state system?
Colleen - thanks for the input. I'm having issues with my rentals in Illinois and Wisconsin. Wisconsin has a great statewide public search but with Illinois, you have to go county by county. I simply don't have that time. Also, what if these people moved from another state? What's frustrating is that TransUnion is telling me that they have NOT changed the way they're reporting. I just don't get it.
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
2y
@Christle Stezskal the people answering the phone may not be in the know. For example I know mysmartmove going through transunion doesn't do RI/MA. In fact I think to get MA records you have to a state cori check. I was doing checks on people who never lived out of my state and getting a clean background but they weren't searching the only state this person ever lived in. I am frustrated by the fact they don't state upfront they don't include a state.
Rental Property Investor · Algonquin, IL · Member since 2019 · 55 posts · 63 votes
2y
100%. I talked to a supervisor for like half an hour yesterday. She insisted that nothing has changed in all the years she's worked there. But it has. I'm not getting the same results back as I used to. If someone could just tell me what changed and what I should expect back and what I shouldn't, I'd figure it out. But they can't even do that. They go back and forth. I guess I just have to do the best I can do for now. Might have to test some other background searches and stop doing things through TransUnion.
Investor · Saint Joseph, MI · Member since 2022 · 31 posts · 44 votes
2y
Yes, it has definitely changed recently. I agree. We have a spot on our application that asks how many felonies they've had and we had an applicant list a felony but then it didn't come up on the background check. I know it was in Michigan from talking to the applicant and we've had Michigan felonies show up in the past. We are going to have to rethink our application and screening processes.
Rental Property Investor · Algonquin, IL · Member since 2019 · 55 posts · 63 votes
2y
@Nick Zupec, yes! I’ve basically given up on Transunion. I need to figure out what I’m going to do as well. I really liked using apartments.com since that’s what I manage everything through but I may have to change it up as well. Let me know what you end up doing! I’d love to hear. Most of what I’ve seen goes through TransUnion so it won’t be any different…