SmartMove Hopes to Simplify Rental Application Process

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorChicago–TransUnion recently rolled out SmartMove, an online tool for renters and landlords to enhance the rental screening process and prevent financial losses.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, homeownership fell to 67.8 percent this year, the sharpest decline in 20 years. With an influx of renters, TransUnion says it sees a need for faster ways to approve the renting of an apartment or home. SmartMove provides a new level of security and risk management as consumers no longer need to provide property owners and managers with their Social Security number or credit card information. Instead, potential renters can log in to MySmartMove.com for a one-time fee of $24.95 and grant access to the landlords to review their credit history and conduct a background check. “An easy-to-use online tool, MySmartMove.com has already helped me streamline my screening process, eliminating the need to secure applicant data while objectively providing me with a recommendation and suggested deposit,” says Donna Taylor, a rental property owner from Arvada, Colo. “My renters are already noticing a speedier and more secure process for approving their lease, and it also eliminated any need for me to release my confidential information to a third party.” Mike Mauseth, vice president, business strategy and development of TransUnion’s rental screening solutions, says, “Logging in to MySmartMove.com takes away the archaic process of providing Social Security numbers to just anyone.” MySmartMove.com is a resource that provides a method to view and submit credit information for renters and independent owners/operators of multifamily properties from one unit up to 200 units.