Screening Renters

In order to remain in compliance with the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) and the ICRAA (Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act) Landlords will now be required to confirm all relevant disclosures have been made to potential tenants for screening with respect to local and federal laws. 

For any additional questions about the disclosure please refer to Transunion. 

TransUnion Support

• Phone: 833-458-6338
• Hours of Operation:
  • Monday-Friday: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm MT
  • Saturday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm MT
  • Sunday: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm MT

There are two ways to request screening documents from prospective applicants. If you would like to send an application link personally via text or email, we recommend that you use your Application Link. If you would like the renter to receive an email from Zumper stating that you are requesting documents from them, we recommend that you request your documents via email.

Application Link 

1. Your personal application link is on your dashboard's left side as Copy Apply Link.
2. You can select which documents (Credit Report with Background Check, Rental Application, or both) you would like from your applicant. 

This link can be sent to applicants via text message or email. It prompts renters to create and share their screening documents directly with you. To test out this link for yourself, copy and paste it into a window using a different internet browser. 

Requesting via Email

1. From the Renters tab, click the Screen Renters button in the top right corner of the page.
2. You will be prompted to enter the address for which you are screening renters. If you already have a property created for this address under the Properties tab, you will be able to select it from the drop-down options.
   • If you have not yet created a property for the address for which you are screening renters, you can simply input and select the fully formatted address here.
3. Select which documents (Credit Report, Rental Application, or both) you would like from your renter.
4. Lastly, select Email and input the email address or addresses of the renters. Then click the Next button. 

You will receive a Zumper email confirmation that you have requested documents from this applicant.

We recommend you screen every prospective renter on an individual basis. For example, if you have a couple applying for a property, you should request documents from two separate email addresses.

Due to the fact that our screening is on an individual basis, each person is also responsible for paying their own screening fee. Some landlords prefer to have renters fill out an application prior to a property showing while others will host tours before requesting an application, the order in which you screen renters is entirely up to you. 

How to screen renters guide

You will be notified via email when an applicant shares screening documents with you. All documents that are available on your account will be marked as View.

For help downloading shared documents, check the article: How can I download screening documents?

Pending submission: If you see the Pending submission label underneath the applicant’s document request, this means that the applicant has not shared their documents with you. 

When an applicant generates screening documents, they must grant your account permission to view them. To do so, they must click Share which can be found in the middle of their account dashboard. This will prompt them to pay the screening fee, if applicable, and share the documents with you.

Expired: Credit and background reports expire in your account after 30 days from the date they were generated and shared with you. These reports have an Expired label on them. If you require another copy, your renter will need to regenerate and reshare the reports with you. 

Please note: The availability of criminal background checks and the eviction report may vary based on the state due to local laws and constraints from our provider. If you're a landlord operating in these states, the corresponding sections will be absent from the report.

In the Renters Dashboard, click on the applicant whose reports you would like to download. Here you can select View or Download. This will generate a PDF for you to view. 

Please note: The availability of criminal background checks and the eviction report may vary based on the state due to local laws and constraints from our provider. If you're a landlord operating in these states, these sections may be absent from the report.

Zumper's tenant screening service is free for landlords & agents. Applicants will be charged a $35 fee for screening however it varies by state depending on local laws & requirements.

Rental applications without screening can also be provided for free & be shared with landlords & agents as needed.

The following reports are provided with Zumper's screening service...

• Credit history
• Eviction & Criminal history
• Income verification

Please note reports vary by state due to local laws & requirements.

For more information on our tenant screening service or to get started please click here for more information.

We partner with TransUnion to generate credit reports and background checks. The following reports are provided with Zumper's screening services: 

• Credit report
• Criminal and eviction history
• Income verification

Zumper also provides an online rental application separate from TransUnion’s credit and background reports. Please view the attachments below for examples of both screening documents.

Please note: The availability of criminal background checks and the eviction report may vary based on the state due to local laws and requirements. If you're a landlord operating in these states, the corresponding sections will be absent from the report.

Zumper's tenant screening service (powered by TransUnion) provides landlords with a comprehensive credit report that includes credit history, income verification, eviction history, criminal history and ResidentScore. This ResidentScore ranges from 350 to 850 and is crafted specifically for the rental market. 

This ResidentScore is designed to help landlords assess potential renters more precisely vs a traditional credit score. It does this using a sophisticated formula to analyze the credit report and produce a score. Where your applicant’s score falls on the scale can help you better assess their risk.

What's Included in the Report?

1. Credit History: Your screening report provides a thorough breakdown of the applicant's full credit history and report. 
2. Criminal and Eviction Records: You'll also find sections detailing any criminal or eviction records that TransUnion’s search has surfaced.

Please note: It's crucial to understand that the availability of criminal and eviction records may vary based on local laws and constraints from our provider. If you're a landlord operating in these states, the corresponding sections will be absent from the report.

Your Responsibility as a Landlord

While our screening reports provide substantial insights, landlords are responsible for ensuring that their tenant screening practices align with local regulations. Although we have certain limitations in place, it's imperative to be familiar with your local laws & compliance requirements when using our tenant screening services.

Before you screen potential renters, you should have a set of requirements each renter must meet to help you make an objective decision about who to lease your property to. Keep in mind, there are local and federal laws you also must adhere to when screening applicants and selecting a renter.

To learn more about qualifying renters, check out these resources:

Tenant Screening 101: How to Screen and Qualify Renters

How to Read a Renter's Credit Score 

Zumper charges applicants a $35 fee to generate and share their screening documents with you, which includes a credit report and background check.

To adjust your screening and application fee, contact us through the support request form and let us know what price you would like to update your fee to. You will receive an email confirmation when the adjustment to your account has been made along with instructions on how to set up your e-banking information.

Once you increase your fee, you are eligible to receive the difference between your adjusted fee and $35.

Within 24 hours, you will receive an email from Zumper inviting you to create an account with Tipalti. To be eligible for payouts, you must register an account with Tipalti.

To ensure a smooth payout process,  please take note of the following important instructions:

• Sign up for Tipalti with the same email address associated with your Zumper Manage Account.
• Register your Tipalti account within the next 90 days to be eligible for payouts. Failure to register within this timeframe will result in forfeiting the right to those funds.
• Payouts for eligible screens are processed during the first 15 business days of the month for the previous month's completed screenings.

These payouts are made the month following when your reports have been run. All funds must be claimed within 90 days of receiving the Tipalti invite, otherwise funds will be forfeited. At this time we do not support charging renters less than $35. 

Within your Tipalti account, you can view all the previous payouts you have received and update any contact information. If you encounter any issues with Tipalti, contact them directly via their support request form.

Please note that it is your responsibility to adhere to renters local/state guidelines surrounding screening fees.

Reports are directly from TransUnion’s database for all credit and background history reports. If a renter believes the information is inaccurate, they can initiate a dispute.

To do so, please have them contact TransUnion directly via phone at (833) 458-6338 or email TURSSCustomerService@transunion.com. 

Renters can also find this contact information on the first page of their credit report when they click the Dispute Content button, or you can direct them to the Dispute button that appears next to the View button on their account dashboard.