How Far Back Does SmartMove Check Records?

For busy Transaction Coordinators, understanding the intricacies of tenant screening is paramount. When utilizing services like TransUnion SmartMove, a common question arises: how far back does SmartMove check? This isn’t just a matter of curiosity; it directly impacts the quality of information landlords receive, and consequently, the diligence TCs demonstrate in facilitating smooth transactions. Let’s dive deep into the scope of a SmartMove background check, ensuring we file this essential detail under ‘Need to Know for Sure’.

SmartMove is a popular online tenant screening service designed specifically for individual landlords. It provides credit reports, criminal background checks, and eviction history reports directly from TransUnion, a major credit bureau. Unlike some broader background checks, SmartMove’s reporting scope is tailored to landlord-tenant needs, aiming to provide relevant, actionable information quickly and efficiently.

Understanding the Scope of SmartMove Reports

SmartMove compiles several distinct reports, each with its own look-back period dictated by federal and state laws, as well as TransUnion’s own data availability and policies. Knowing how far back does SmartMove check for each type of report is crucial for managing expectations and interpreting results.

Criminal Background Check

SmartMove’s criminal background check generally searches national and state databases for records. The typical look-back period for criminal records in tenant screening is seven years. This is often aligned with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which governs how consumer reporting agencies like TransUnion can collect and report information. The FCRA imposes limitations on reporting adverse information older than seven years, particularly for things like arrests that didn’t lead to conviction. However, convictions themselves, depending on the severity (felonies often have longer or unlimited reporting periods), and certain state laws can affect this timeframe. SmartMove aims to comply with these regulations.

Eviction Report

Eviction records are a critical component of tenant screening. SmartMove’s eviction report typically includes filings and judgments from the past seven years. This period aligns with the FCRA’s seven-year limit on reporting most adverse actions. Eviction data is sourced from court records, providing insights into a tenant’s history of fulfilling lease obligations and their behavior during tenancy disputes. This report helps landlords identify potential risks based on past tenancy performance.

Credit Report

The credit report provided by SmartMove, sourced directly from TransUnion, offers a snapshot of a tenant’s creditworthiness. While credit scores are a current figure, the underlying data includes historical information. Account histories (like credit cards, loans) generally remain on a credit report for seven years from the date of the last activity. Bankruptcies can remain for 7 to 10 years, depending on the type. Unpaid judgments and tax liens (though less common now with credit bureau policy changes) also historically followed the seven-year rule, or longer in some cases. The credit report focuses on payment history, debts, and credit utilization, providing a picture of financial responsibility over recent years.

Why the Look-Back Period Matters for TCs

Understanding how far back does SmartMove check is not just theoretical knowledge; it has practical implications for Transaction Coordinators:

• Setting Expectations: You can accurately inform landlords about the scope of the report they will receive, preventing surprises or misunderstandings.
• Interpreting Results: Knowing the timeframe helps in evaluating the relevance of reported information. An eviction from 8 years ago might be less indicative than one from 2 years ago, and understanding the reporting limit is key to this assessment.
• Compliance: Ensuring the landlord client understands that the report adheres to FCRA and state laws, which dictate these look-back periods, is part of providing compliant service.
• Risk Assessment: A comprehensive view means integrating the SmartMove report findings with other application details. The look-back period defines the historical depth of the data you’re working with.

TC Tips for Handling SmartMove Reports

Navigating tenant screening reports smoothly is part of a TC’s value proposition. Here are a few tips:

1. Educate Your Clients: Briefly explain the general look-back periods for criminal and eviction history checks (typically 7 years) so they understand the report’s scope before they even see it.
2. Review Reports Systematically: Have a checklist for reviewing the key sections (criminal, eviction, credit) and flag any potential issues for the landlord’s attention, referencing the date of the reported event.
3. Maintain Confidentiality: Handle sensitive tenant screening reports with the utmost care and ensure secure storage and transmission, adhering strictly to privacy regulations.
4. Document Communication: Keep clear records of when reports were ordered, shared with the landlord, and any discussions regarding the findings.

Analysis & Insights: Beyond the Date

While how far back does SmartMove check provides the temporal boundary, the analysis goes deeper. Landlords aren’t just looking for a clean record; they’re assessing risk. Help your landlord clients understand that a record within the look-back period needs context. Was it a minor offense or a serious crime? Was the eviction disputed? Did the tenant have significant mitigating circumstances? While TCs don’t make the final decision, facilitating a clear and informed review process, acknowledging the data’s limitations based on the look-back period, is invaluable.

FAQs about SmartMove Look-Back Periods

Q: Does SmartMove report *all* criminal history regardless of age?
A: No, SmartMove typically adheres to FCRA and state law limitations, commonly reporting criminal convictions and certain other records for the past 7 years, although some serious offenses may have longer reporting periods depending on jurisdiction.

Q: Why is the look-back period often 7 years?
A: The 7-year period is largely influenced by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which limits the reporting of most adverse items (like older civil judgments, paid tax liens, collection accounts, records of arrest not leading to conviction) to 7 years.

Q: Does the 7-year rule apply strictly to evictions?
A: Yes, eviction filings and judgments reported by SmartMove generally fall under the 7-year reporting limitation, aligned with FCRA guidelines for civil records.

Q: Are there exceptions to the 7-year rule?
A: Yes, certain convictions, particularly felonies, may have longer reporting periods or no time limit depending on the state where the record originated. Bankruptcies also have different reporting timelines (7-10 years).

Q: Does SmartMove report credit history older than 7 years?
A: While account status and payment history are typically reported for about 7 years, bankruptcies can remain longer (up to 10 years for Chapter 7). The credit score itself is a dynamic figure based on the information currently on the report.

Resources for Further Reading

• TransUnion SmartMove Official Website
• FTC: Fair Credit Reporting Act – Landlords
• Rebillion’s Real Estate Blog

Conclusion

Knowing how far back does SmartMove check is fundamental knowledge for Transaction Coordinators facilitating rentals. The typical 7-year look-back period for criminal and eviction records, influenced by federal and state laws, provides a standard scope for tenant screening. By understanding these limits and effectively communicating them to clients, TCs add significant value, ensuring informed decisions are made based on accurate and compliant data. Stay sharp, keep those files organized, and leverage tools like SmartMove effectively to keep your rental transactions running smoothly. For more insights into optimizing your workflow and staying compliant, check out Rebillion’s Real Estate Blog and explore the solutions offered by Rebillion.ai.