Overview
You now have the option to run background checks on rental applications even if you choose not to initially charge for it. We'll show you how to turn background checks on so you'll be able to receive those reports from TransUnion. (Credit, Criminal, and Eviction History reports).
Note: Transunion background checks are "soft inquiries" on an applicant's credit history. What that means is that it will have no effect on their overall credit score. Rental applicants can also be confident in the safety and security of their personal information.
The Steps
Turn on company default background checks on rental applications
Background checks can be run in several ways now based on the Application & Screening Payment method.
To turn on company default background checks for rental applications, click Settings on the main menu and then click Rental Applications under the Property Settings section.
On the Rental Applications window, in the Application Fees section, you'll have three options when selecting fees that affect background screenings:
Comprehensive Plan: Use this option if you don't have a Merchant account set up, but still want to run a background check for applications. There will be a $49.90 fee charged to the applicant.
Customizable Plan: This option lets you enter a custom amount to charge the applicant for the application fee. You must have a merchant account set up to use this option and using this option will always deduct $3.50 for the credit card processing fee.
By default, this option will request screening reports that the applicant will pay for. If you don't want to run tenant screenings, click the box and uncheck "Include screening costs in the fee by default." If you decide later you want to run a tenant screening and request reports, you'll need to pay for it.
Basic Plan: This option will not charge the tenant for the rental application and will not request reports automatically. If you decide to request reports after, you have the option to request payment from the prospect to run the background screening report or pay for it yourself.
You can select any of these options. The difference between all the choices is who pays for the background check and when those background checks are run. All-in-One Solutions and Custome Fee Plan (if you enable background checks) will run the background checks immediately. Whereas the Application-Only Plan option will run the background check only after you receive the application and if you choose to run it.
Click the box labeled "I accept the DoorLoop and TransUnion Terms and Conditions."
Click Save to finish.
Note: Cover Screening Costs and Customize Your Fee screening fees are based on your subscription plan.
Turn on property-specific background checks on rental applications
This step is only necessary if you change the Applications & Screening Settings based on the property and it differs from the company default settings.
To turn on property-specific background checks for rental applications, click Rentals on the main menu and then click Properties.
Find and click on the property you want to change the rental applications setting.
On the property, click on the Settings tab and then click the Rental Applications button.
On the Rental Applications setting window, under Settings, select the option for "Specify settings for this property."
On the Rental Applications window, in the Settings section, you'll have three options for the Applications & Screening Settings:
All-in-One Solutions: Use this option if you don't have a Merchant account set up, but still want to run a background check for applications. There will be a $49.90 fee charged to the applicant.
Custom Fee Plan: This option lets you enter a custom amount to charge the applicant for the application fee. You must have a merchant account set up to use this option and using this option will always deduct $3.50 for the credit card processing fee.
By default, this option will request screening reports that the applicant will pay for. If you don't want to run tenant screenings, click the box and uncheck "Include screening costs in the fee by default." If you decide later you want to run a tenant screening and request reports, you'll need to pay for it.
Application-Only Plan: This option will not charge the tenant for the rental application and will not request reports automatically. If you decide to request reports after, you have the option to request payment from the prospect to run the background screening report or pay for it yourself.
You can select any of these options. The difference between all the choices is who pays for the background check and when those background checks are run. All-in-One Solutions and Custome Fee Plan (if you enable background checks) will run the background checks immediately. Whereas the Application-Only Plan option will run the background check only after you receive the application and if you choose to run it.
Click the box labeled "I accept the DoorLoop and TransUnion Terms and Conditions."
Click Save to finish.
That's it. This property's rental applications now have background checks enabled with TransUnion. If you need background checks for other properties, repeat the steps above for each property you want to have custom background check settings for.
When your tenants fill out the rental application, they agree to the Applicant Terms of Service set by DoorLoop and its third parties. For more information about what is in the Applicant Terms of Service, the terms of the agreement can be found here.
Disclaimer
The Criminal Report, Eviction Related Proceedings Report and SmartMove recommendation service (a credit score based recommendation) are subject to federal, state, and local laws that may limit or restrict SmartMove’s ability to return some records or recommendations. Certain jurisdictions may limit what records are eligible for return, click here for more information and if your state is affected.
National Sex Offender State, Federal Watch Lists and National Most Wanted
Databases are NOT impacted.