Tenant screening is one of the most important steps in renting out a property.
A good screening service can help a landlord verify an applicant’s identity, review credit history, check for evictions, examine criminal records where legally available, and identify potential financial risks before signing a lease.
Two popular options for landlords are TransUnion SmartMove and RentPrep.
Both services are designed to make tenant screening easier without requiring a landlord to build a screening process from scratch. However, they take noticeably different approaches.
TransUnion SmartMove is an automated screening platform operated by TransUnion. It emphasizes fast online reports, TransUnion data, its ResidentScore rental-risk score, and a simple pay-as-you-go model.
RentPrep takes a more human-assisted approach. Its Complete Screening package combines credit information with a background check reviewed by FCRA-certified screeners, including identity verification, criminal and eviction searches, judgments and liens, and bankruptcies.
The pricing is also different enough to matter.
So which service should a landlord use?
For many landlords, SmartMove is the better choice for fast, automated screening and strong credit information. RentPrep is the better choice when human review and a broader background-check process are more important.
TransUnion SmartMove vs. RentPrep at a Glance
| Feature | TransUnion SmartMove | RentPrep |
|---|---|---|
| Type of service | Automated tenant screening | Automated credit + human-assisted background screening |
| Credit report | Yes | Yes |
| Rental risk score | ResidentScore | ResidentScore |
| Criminal background | Yes, depending on package and jurisdiction | Yes |
| Eviction records | Yes | Yes |
| Identity verification | Yes | Yes |
| Judgments and liens | Not included in SmartMove credit report | Included in Full Background Check |
| Income insights | Yes, on Premium | Available as paid add-on |
| Income verification | Not the same as direct verification | Available as paid add-on |
| FCRA-certified human review | No as the standard SmartMove process | Yes for Full Background Check |
| Same-day results | Most reports | Many reports are completed quickly |
| Subscription | None | None |
| Lowest advertised package | $25 | $29 |
| Complete package | $49 | $49 |
| Tenant-pay option | Yes, where permitted | Yes for qualifying packages |
| Best for | Fast automated screening | More hands-on background screening |
The most important distinction is the screening methodology.
SmartMove is powered directly by TransUnion’s data and automated reporting technology.
RentPrep combines automated credit information with human review for its Full Background Check.
That difference should play a major role in your decision.
What Is TransUnion SmartMove?
TransUnion SmartMove is an online tenant screening service from TransUnion.
It is designed primarily for independent landlords and property owners who want to screen prospective tenants without subscribing to a full property management platform.
The process is relatively simple.
The landlord creates an account, enters the applicant’s information, chooses a screening package, and sends an invitation to the applicant.
The applicant then provides consent and verifies their identity.
Once the screening is completed, the landlord receives the selected reports.
SmartMove does not require a monthly membership, setup fee, or minimum number of screenings. Landlords pay when they actually use the service.
One of SmartMove’s biggest advantages is its connection to TransUnion’s credit data and its proprietary ResidentScore.
What Is RentPrep?
RentPrep is a tenant screening service designed specifically for landlords and property managers.
Its screening process combines credit reports with background information.
One of its major selling points is its use of FCRA-certified screeners to review and compile its Full Background Check.
That background check can include Social Security number verification, nationwide criminal and sex offender searches, nationwide eviction information, judgments and liens, and bankruptcies.
RentPrep’s current service is delivered through Stessa, but the RentPrep screening products remain available to landlords.
The service is particularly attractive to landlords who do not want to rely entirely on automated database searches.
RentPrep’s approach adds a human-review component that can help identify and reduce false matches.
TransUnion SmartMove Pricing
SmartMove uses a straightforward pay-as-you-go pricing structure.
There is no monthly subscription, membership fee, or minimum screening requirement.
Its current pricing includes three main SmartCheck packages.
SmartCheck Basic — $25
The SmartCheck Basic package costs $25 plus applicable taxes.
It includes:
- ResidentScore
- Criminal background report
This is the most affordable SmartMove option when you want more than a simple credit report.
SmartCheck Plus — $40
The SmartCheck Plus package costs $40 plus applicable taxes.
It includes:
- ResidentScore
- Criminal background report
- Credit report
- Eviction-related report
This provides a considerably broader picture of an applicant than the Basic package.
SmartCheck Premium — $49
The SmartCheck Premium package costs $49 plus applicable taxes.
It includes:
- ResidentScore
- Criminal background report
- Credit report
- Eviction-related report
- Income Insights report
- Identity Check report
For landlords who want the most information from SmartMove in a single package, Premium is the most comprehensive option.
SmartMove also allows landlords to choose who pays for screening where permitted.
That means the landlord can pay the screening cost or request that the applicant pay.
RentPrep Pricing
RentPrep currently offers several screening options.
Credit Report — $29
The Credit Report package costs $29.
It includes:
- Full credit report
- ResidentScore
- Bankruptcies
The cost can be paid by either the landlord or tenant under the available payment options.
Full Background Check — $29
The Full Background Check also costs $29.
It includes:
- FCRA-certified screener review
- Social Security number verification
- Nationwide criminal and sex offender search
- Nationwide eviction search
- Judgments and liens
- Bankruptcies
This package is particularly interesting because it provides background information that is not contained in a standard credit report.
Complete Screening Package — $49
RentPrep’s Complete Screening package costs $49.
It combines the Credit Report with the Full Background Check.
That means landlords receive credit information plus:
- ResidentScore
- SSN verification
- Criminal and sex offender search
- Eviction search
- Judgments and liens
- Bankruptcies
- FCRA-certified screener review
RentPrep also offers additional income-related services.
Income Verification is currently available for $10, while Income and Employment Verification is available for $15 when eligible with the applicable screening package.
Which Is Cheaper?
At the entry level, SmartMove is cheaper, with its $25 SmartCheck Basic package compared with RentPrep’s $29 individual screening packages.
However, both services currently offer a $49 comprehensive package.
This makes the comparison more interesting.
At $49, you should not simply choose based on price.
Instead, compare what information each service provides and how that information is produced.
SmartMove vs. RentPrep: Credit Reports
Credit information is one of the most important parts of tenant screening.
SmartMove has a major advantage here because it is a TransUnion product.
The platform provides a full credit report on packages that include credit information and also provides ResidentScore, which is specifically designed for rental screening.
ResidentScore ranges from 350 to 850.
Rather than simply looking at a conventional credit score, it is designed to estimate rental-related risk.
SmartMove says its ResidentScore identifies eviction risk better than a traditional credit score in the highest-risk portion of applicants.
RentPrep also provides TransUnion-based credit information and ResidentScore in its Credit Report and Complete Screening packages.
This means the credit component of the two services is not completely different.
In fact, both can give landlords access to the same underlying TransUnion-oriented credit information.
The more significant difference comes from what happens around the credit report.
Which Is Better for Credit Screening?
It is essentially a tie when comparing the credit component alone.
Both can provide ResidentScore and credit information.
If your primary concern is evaluating an applicant’s creditworthiness, SmartMove’s direct TransUnion experience may feel more natural.
If you want credit information combined with human-reviewed background screening, RentPrep’s Complete Screening package is more compelling.
SmartMove vs. RentPrep: Criminal Background Checks
Criminal background screening is an area where landlords need to pay close attention to methodology and legal restrictions.
SmartMove offers criminal background reports as part of its SmartCheck packages.
TransUnion states that its criminal reporting searches millions of records and uses matching technology to help connect records with the correct individual.
However, the availability of criminal records can vary based on federal, state, and local laws.
RentPrep also provides criminal and sex offender searches through its Full Background Check.
Its process is different because FCRA-certified screeners review the information.
RentPrep emphasizes that its human screeners validate records and help reduce false matches.
This can be important because simply finding a record with a similar name does not necessarily mean that the applicant is the person associated with that record.
Which Is Better for Criminal Screening?
RentPrep has an advantage if human review is important to you.
SmartMove’s automated process is faster and convenient, but RentPrep’s human-assisted approach can provide additional review of potentially relevant records.
However, landlords should not treat any screening report as an automatic decision-making tool.
Criminal history rules vary significantly by jurisdiction, and landlords should apply screening criteria consistently and in compliance with applicable housing and consumer-reporting laws.
SmartMove vs. RentPrep: Eviction Records
Previous eviction history can be an important factor in evaluating rental risk.
SmartMove includes eviction-related information in its Plus and Premium packages.
RentPrep includes nationwide eviction searches in its Full Background Check and Complete Screening packages.
The important distinction is that RentPrep’s background check is reviewed by FCRA-certified screeners.
This can be useful when records need additional examination.
Eviction records can also be complicated because court records may contain different names, jurisdictions, case statuses, and dispositions.
A simple database match does not always tell the complete story.
Which Is Better for Eviction Screening?
RentPrep has the edge if your priority is a more hands-on review of eviction records.
SmartMove is still a strong option, particularly if you want eviction information delivered quickly as part of an automated report.
For landlords who place significant importance on eviction history, the additional human review offered by RentPrep can be valuable.
SmartMove vs. RentPrep: Income Verification
Income verification is becoming increasingly important for landlords.
An applicant may report a particular annual income, but the landlord may want additional evidence that the income is accurate and sustainable.
SmartMove approaches this through its Income Insights report.
Income Insights analyzes information from the applicant’s credit report and estimates whether their credit behavior aligns with their reported income.
It can recommend whether the landlord should request additional proof of income.
Importantly, Income Insights is not direct income verification.
It is an estimate based on credit-related information.
RentPrep offers actual income-related add-ons.
Its Income Verification service can provide information from connected bank accounts, including balances, average balances, income streams, and transaction history.
Its Income and Employment Verification option can provide employment information obtained through the applicant’s payroll provider.
Which Is Better for Income Verification?
RentPrep is stronger if you want actual income or employment verification.
SmartMove’s Income Insights is useful as a screening signal because it can identify inconsistencies between reported income and estimated income.
But it should not be confused with direct verification.
For landlords who want applicants to provide additional evidence of income, either service can be useful.
For landlords who want the screening provider itself to verify income and employment information, RentPrep’s add-ons are more comprehensive.
SmartMove vs. RentPrep: Identity Verification
Identity verification helps prevent landlords from accidentally screening the wrong person.
SmartMove includes an Identity Check in its Premium package.
The applicant also has to verify their identity as part of the screening process.
This is integrated directly into SmartMove’s workflow.
RentPrep also performs identity verification as part of its Full Background Check.
RentPrep says its screeners verify the applicant by comparing information such as name, Social Security number, and date of birth against available databases before conducting the background check.
Which Is Better for Identity Verification?
Both services take identity verification seriously.
SmartMove has the advantage of a highly streamlined automated process, while RentPrep adds human review to its broader screening workflow.
For most small landlords, either approach can be sufficient.
SmartMove vs. RentPrep: Speed
Speed matters when a rental property is vacant.
A landlord may have several qualified applicants waiting for an answer, and delaying screening can delay the entire leasing process.
SmartMove emphasizes speed.
Most SmartMove reports are delivered the same day after the applicant completes identity verification.
The entire process is online, and landlords can send screening invitations quickly.
RentPrep also emphasizes fast turnaround.
However, its human review means that its process is not identical to a purely automated database search.
The additional review can be an advantage when accuracy and record matching matter more than obtaining an instant result.
Which Is Faster?
SmartMove is the better choice if speed and automation are your highest priorities.
RentPrep is also designed for quick turnaround, but its human-reviewed process is the more important differentiator.
If you are trying to screen a large number of applicants quickly, SmartMove’s automated workflow can be particularly convenient.
SmartMove vs. RentPrep: Ease of Use
SmartMove has a very straightforward workflow.
Create an account, enter property information, invite the applicant, select the reports, and wait for the results.
The applicant receives an invitation, provides consent, verifies their identity, and completes the screening.
The process is designed for landlords who do not want to spend time learning a complicated screening system.
RentPrep is also relatively simple.
The landlord creates an account, chooses a screening package, and sends the applicant a link to complete their portion of the process.
The main difference is what happens after the applicant completes the process.
SmartMove relies heavily on automated reporting.
RentPrep’s Full Background Check involves FCRA-certified screeners reviewing the information.
Which Is Easier?
SmartMove has a slight advantage for simplicity and automation.
RentPrep is not difficult to use, but its additional screening process can make it feel more involved.
SmartMove vs. RentPrep for Small Landlords
For a landlord with one or two rental properties, simplicity and cost are usually major considerations.
SmartMove is particularly attractive because there is no subscription and you only pay when you screen an applicant.
The $25 Basic package can be enough when you want a basic risk assessment, while the $49 Premium package provides substantially more information.
RentPrep is also a strong option for small landlords.
Its $29 Full Background Check gives you access to a human-reviewed background screening process, and the $49 Complete Screening package combines that with credit information.
If you only screen a handful of tenants each year, either platform can be affordable.
The choice comes down to whether you prefer automation or human review.
SmartMove vs. RentPrep for Property Managers
Property managers often need more than a simple tenant screening report.
They may need consistent screening procedures, applicant-pay options, detailed reports, integrations, and the ability to process a large number of applicants.
SmartMove offers a straightforward pay-as-you-go system and does not require a monthly membership.
RentPrep also offers an Enterprise Screening service for landlords and property managers with 50 or more doors.
Its enterprise offering includes custom workflows, advanced searches, tiered screening, applicant-pay options, onboarding, and dedicated account support.
Which Is Better for Property Managers?
For a small property management operation, either can work well.
For larger operations, RentPrep’s Enterprise offering may be more attractive when customized screening workflows and human support are important.
SmartMove remains attractive for managers who want a standardized, automated screening process backed by TransUnion.
Applicant-Pay Options
The ability to have applicants pay for screening can reduce the landlord’s costs.
SmartMove allows landlords to choose who pays for screening where permitted.
RentPrep also offers landlord-pay and tenant-pay options on its applicable packages.
However, landlords should always check state and local laws before passing screening fees to applicants.
Some jurisdictions restrict application fees or regulate how they can be charged and used.
The ability to pass the cost to an applicant does not automatically mean that doing so is legally permitted everywhere.
FCRA Compliance
Tenant screening reports are consumer reports, which means landlords need to understand their responsibilities under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Both SmartMove and RentPrep operate within the tenant-screening and consumer-reporting framework.
RentPrep particularly emphasizes its FCRA-certified screeners.
SmartMove is operated by TransUnion, a major consumer reporting company, and its screening process includes identity verification and applicant consent.
However, using an FCRA-compliant screening service does not eliminate the landlord’s responsibilities.
Landlords still need a legitimate permissible purpose, consistent screening criteria, appropriate handling of consumer information, and legally compliant adverse-action procedures when applicable.
Landlords should also understand federal, state, and local fair-housing requirements before using criminal history, credit information, eviction history, or other screening criteria.
Which Service Provides More Information?
This depends on the package.
SmartMove Premium provides:
- ResidentScore
- Credit report
- Criminal background report
- Eviction-related report
- Income Insights
- Identity Check
RentPrep Complete Screening provides:
- Credit report
- ResidentScore
- SSN verification
- Criminal and sex offender search
- Nationwide eviction search
- Judgments and liens
- Bankruptcies
- FCRA-certified screener review
RentPrep can therefore provide particularly useful information on judgments and liens through its Full Background Check.
SmartMove Premium, meanwhile, provides a broader automated package that includes Income Insights and Identity Check.
There is no simple winner because the services emphasize different types of information.
Which Has Better Screening Technology?
SmartMove has a clear technological advantage through its connection to TransUnion.
Its ResidentScore is specifically designed for rental risk rather than simply relying on a generic credit score.
Its automated system can process reports quickly and provides a consistent screening workflow.
RentPrep’s advantage is not necessarily proprietary technology.
Its strength is the combination of data sources and human review.
The company says its FCRA-certified screeners validate records and review potential matches to reduce errors.
Therefore, the two services represent different philosophies.
SmartMove emphasizes automated data and speed.
RentPrep emphasizes broader background research and human verification.
SmartMove vs. RentPrep: Pros and Cons
TransUnion SmartMove Pros
- Backed by TransUnion
- No monthly subscription
- No minimum screening requirement
- Pay only when you screen
- Fast online process
- Most reports delivered the same day
- ResidentScore designed for rental screening
- Credit information
- Criminal background reports
- Eviction-related reports
- Income Insights
- Identity Check
- Landlord or tenant can pay where permitted
- Simple for independent landlords
TransUnion SmartMove Cons
- Some information depends on the selected package
- Income Insights is an estimate, not direct income verification
- Criminal and eviction reporting can be limited by jurisdiction
- Does not provide the same human-review model as RentPrep
- Judgments and liens are not part of the SmartMove credit report
- Some landlords may want more detailed manual background research
RentPrep Pros
- FCRA-certified human screening review
- Credit reports using TransUnion information
- ResidentScore
- Criminal and sex offender searches
- Nationwide eviction searches
- Judgments and liens
- Bankruptcies
- SSN verification
- Income verification options
- Employment verification option
- No monthly subscription
- Applicant-pay options on applicable packages
- Enterprise services for larger portfolios
RentPrep Cons
- Individual screening packages can cost more than SmartMove’s basic option
- Human review can make the process less purely automated
- Income verification costs extra
- The most useful information may require the $49 Complete Screening package
- Some screening information remains subject to legal and jurisdictional limitations
TransUnion SmartMove vs. RentPrep: Which Should You Use?
The best option depends on what you want from a tenant screening service.
Use TransUnion SmartMove if you want fast, automated screening backed by TransUnion.
It is particularly attractive when credit information, ResidentScore, speed, and convenience are your main priorities.
The $49 Premium package provides a comprehensive automated screening bundle, including credit, criminal, eviction-related, income insights, and identity information.
Use RentPrep if you want more human involvement in background screening.
Its Complete Screening package combines credit information with an FCRA-certified screener review and searches for criminal records, evictions, judgments, liens, and bankruptcies.
RentPrep is especially compelling when you are concerned about false matches or want a deeper background review rather than relying primarily on automated results.
When SmartMove Is the Better Choice
SmartMove is the better choice for landlords who value:
- Fast results
- Automated screening
- TransUnion credit information
- ResidentScore
- Simple online workflow
- No subscription
- Pay-as-you-go pricing
- Income Insights
- Identity verification
It is also a good choice when you frequently need to screen applicants but do not want to maintain a complicated screening system.
The $25 Basic package gives landlords a relatively inexpensive starting point, while the $49 Premium package covers most of the information a small landlord will want.
When RentPrep Is the Better Choice
RentPrep is the better choice for landlords who value:
- Human-reviewed background checks
- Criminal and sex offender searches
- Eviction searches
- Judgments and liens
- FCRA-certified screening review
- Credit and ResidentScore
- Income verification
- Employment verification
- More detailed background research
It is particularly attractive when screening accuracy and record verification are more important than having the most automated process possible.
For landlords managing a growing portfolio, RentPrep’s Enterprise option may also be worth considering.
Final Verdict
TransUnion SmartMove and RentPrep are both strong tenant screening services, but they are not identical.
SmartMove is the better all-around choice for landlords who want speed, convenience, TransUnion-backed credit information, and automated screening.
RentPrep is the better choice for landlords who want a more comprehensive background check with human review.
The pricing makes the comparison particularly interesting.
SmartMove starts at $25, while RentPrep’s individual credit or background packages start at $29. Both currently offer comprehensive $49 options, although the information included in those packages is different.
If you mainly want to evaluate creditworthiness and rental risk quickly, SmartMove is probably the better fit.
If you want to dig deeper into an applicant’s background and value human review of records, RentPrep is likely the better choice.
For most independent landlords, either service can be a significant improvement over relying on a basic credit score or informal tenant references alone.
The key is to use the screening service as one part of a consistent tenant-selection process. Establish your rental criteria before reviewing applicants, apply the same standards consistently, verify information when appropriate, and make sure your screening practices comply with applicable housing and consumer-reporting laws.