• What is SoftScreen®?

We are an online rental platform purposely built to serve the needs of renters, landlords, real estate professionals, and their valued clients. We make getting and sharing TransUnion® reports incredibly easy. Using SoftScreen to apply for rent or to screen applicants is safe, secure, quick, and simple for all concerned.

Consumers (as tenants/rental applicants) generate, receive, and, when ready, share their certified TransUnion® Reports. Consumers always control the distribution of their information. SoftScreen® lets information be selectively shared with any or all parties to a rental transaction: listing agents, landlords, and the applicant’s representing agent.

In addition to TransUnion® reports, we provide everything needed for a complete offer to rent, excluding the lease.

• What is the Cost?

A one-time flat fee of $49.95

Each applicant pays once and receives their TransUnion® reports along with everything needed for unlimited secure applications to rent!

Sharing (and un-sharing) can be done as many times as needed, on an unlimited basis for up to 30 days. And everything can be printed and downloaded without limitation for up to 60 days.

Reports are a SOFT Inquiry that will not hurt credit or lower credit score.

SoftScreen® is the BEST option for safe, fair, affordable, tenant screening!

• What is our Refund Policy?

We want you to know about our no refund policy before using our service. We're pretty sure you don't want any surprises!

We are unable to issue a refund. And here's why:

Once you've submitted your order, TransUnion® reports are available instantly. We have no way of taking back information once it is provided. We stand behind our product and service but we cannot issue a refund under any circumstance once your order has been finalized. Some of these circumstances include, but are not limited to the following:

• Changed your mind

• The landlord denied your application

• The property is no longer available for rent

• Low credit score or no credit score

• You have negative information on your TransUnion® reports

• Incorrect information on your TransUnion® reports

(You can contact TransUnion® to have any and all inaccuracies corrected. Updated information will be reflected on your reports once corrections have been made.)

In an effort to be as transparent as possible, this information will be presented again for your review immediately BEFORE you provide payment.

We thank you for your understanding!

• Who can start the applicant’s process?

This can be done proactively by the potential tenant, their representing agent, the listing agent, or by the landlord, via invitation.

Applicants can choose from over 1,000 addresses registered with SoftScreen®. Or they can respond to an invitation to apply for rent. Any agent can invite any applicant for any address in SoftScreen®. Landlords can only invite for their own properties.

• How does SoftScreen® Work and What's Included?

Let's start with what's included...

For applicants, SoftScreen® provides everything needed for as many complete offers to rent as desired!

SoftScreen® is a SOFT INQUIRY that will NOT hurt or lower credit scores.

All applicants get their TransUnion® Rental Screening Reports:

• Full, complete Credit Report + Score
• National and International Criminal Background Screening Report
• Nationwide Evictions Screening Report

All three reports are always included (unless prohibited by state or local law)

And we also provide:

• Our Best-In-Class Rental Application

• Secure docuement sharing for Proof of Income and employemnt, Letters of Reference, etc.

• Secure Bank Account Verification is also included. Safely provide 3 months of statements along with an income stability score, if and when requested by the landlord.

Everything can be printed, downloaded, saved and shared without limitation!

For landlords, listing agents, and property managers, we provide all of the above. A complete package for thorough due diligence, received automatically, anytime someone applies to rent. It's effortless!

For agents representing applicants, SoftScreen® is a fantastic way to faciliatete your client's unlimited ability to apply for rent as many times as necessary. Safe, private, instant. We've built in the ability for you to "invite" your clients to apply for rent. You can invite by email or text. The choice is yours. And when you invite...

• You'll be notified as soon as your client accepts your invitation.
• You're named on the rental application as representing the applicant!
• Your client's Reports and Rental Application will be shared with you.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Just register with us. Either as a Tenant, an Agent or a Property Owner.

For Applicants:

Register and generate reports. Share them based on the address of the rental property. You'll be able to complete your rental application, upload any requested documents, and securely share everything with the landlord and listing agent for the chosen property. Our secure system handles everything!

For Listing Agents, Property Managers and Landlords:

Simply enter the address of your rental listing. Thats it! Now any applicant (or their Agent) can choose the address. SoftScreen® provides you with their offer to rent. Reports, Rental Application and any requested documents, are all shared securely, directly with you.

It's nice to share... If both Agent/Property Manager and the Landlord are attached to the property, you'll each receive offers. Our controlled delivery lets you decide on either one, the other, or both! It's just that easy!

For Agents Representing Tenants:

Be polite. Invite! Send a custom generated link, by text or email, inviting Tenants to apply for any address! (see our FAQ How do Invitations Work)

• How do Invitations Work?

For Agents on either side of the rental transaction, entering an invitation is a great way to engage and assist applicants. As soon as the invited party signs in to their new or existing SoftScreen account, your invitation is presented to them for acceptance.

• For Agents Representing Tenants

You can invite applicants to order and receive reports. Or, invite them to apply for rent. Just locate the address of the rental property and click! Inviting Agents can receive access to their client's reports and rental applications.

You can also Invite Listing Agents or Landlords to receive your client's offer if the property address is not yet registered. This is easily done by creating a Provisional Property. (see our FAQ about Provisional Properties)

• For Listing Agents and Landlords

Once you've entered an address, (or accepted an invitation from another agent who is representing an applicant), anyone can apply.

You can also invite applicants to apply.

• What info is provided on TransUnion® Reports?

FULL Reporting! We don't cut corners or limit the data provided. You get it all in one comprehensive, complete package.

Full-featured, Robust, Detailed Credit Report with Score

Total Credit History

Complete Credit Summary

All Inquiries

Known Addresses and Employment

Judgments

Bankruptcies

Collections

Negative and Past Due Accounts

Closed Accounts - Including Unpaid Balances

Credit Limits, Balances, and Percentages of Available Credit

"MOP" Manner of Payment

Month by Month Payment History

Fraud Detection

Social Security Match Verification

National, State and International Criminal Background Report

Most Wanted Databases

National Sexual Offender

Instant Federal data including:

Drug Enforcement Administration

FBI’s Most Wanted

Homeland Security investigations

Interpol fugitives (international)

U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Most Wanted

U.S. Marshals Service Most Wanted

U.S. Postal Service Most Wanted

U.S. Secret Service Most Wanted Fugitives

U.S. Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control OFAC. (international)

Nationwide Eviction Report

Forcible Entry/Detainer

Civil Judgements

Small Claims Judgements

Vacated Judgements

Civil Special Judgements (Oklahoma Only)

Civil Dismissals

Judgment Releases

Possession Judgements

Our Best In Class Rental Application

(To view our application, click here)

**Certain jurisdictions have placed restrictions on the use of background and evitions reports. These will be provided where permitted by law. For a complete list of restrictions, click here

• Can I preview your Best In Class Rental Application?

Yes. You can find this by clicking here

• Must an Address be Selected to Order Reports?

No, an address is not required to order and receive reports. This can be done at any time. No strings attached!

However… when you choose to apply for rent, the address of a rental property is needed.

Rental Screening requires a rental property! It also needs a Listing Agent, Property Manager, and/or Landlord. Someoe responsible to receive the applicant's information for a decision on their potential tenancy.

This protects the Tenant's privacy, allowing Reports to go safely, directly, and only to those who need them. Tenants are empowered with the ability to control and limit the distribution of their own information.

• Is SoftScreen® a Soft Inquiry?

YES IT IS!

No Hard Hit means no negative impact on the applicant’s credit score. None. Zero. Zip. Nada!

Some inquiries are considered a hard hit because they impact the credit score in a hard or negative manner, lowering it. SoftScreen® is a soft inquiry!

FYI...

There is NO DIFFERENCE between a hard and soft inquiry when it comes to the information on the report. Our reports will contain the same accurate, complete, reliable, current information without any negative impact on credit or score!

• Can Information Be "Un-Shared"?

YES it can! And we think this is a really BIG deal!

Applicants have total control over the distribution of their own information. Not only can they share it, but they can "Un-Share" it as well! At any time, and for any reason, access that had been previously granted to any Listing Agent and Landlord can be revoked. Rental property no longer available? Landlord decided to rent to another applicant? Change of mind, found another rental that's better? With the click of a button, access can be terminated. Privacy protection... This is just one example of what makes SoftScreen® the best possible option for Rental Screening!

• What is the MLS, and Must an Address be entered in an MLS by its Listing Broker to also be found in SoftScreen®?

MLS or Multiple List Service is a private database used by real estate brokers to market property listings, as well as to cooperate with other brokers for this same purpose.

A property does NOT need to be listed in an MLS to also be in SoftScreen®.

Real Estate Agents can use SoftScreen® separate and apart from their MLS. Simply enter the address in SoftScreen® to screen Tenants!

In specific market regions, brokers can opt to take advantage of our automated MLS Data Feed. This service enables any property entered into their MLS to automatically appear in SoftScreen, guaranteeing the ability for agents (and listing clients) to safely and easily receive offers to rent. Our automated service reduces workflow and safeguards agency.

• What is a Provisional Property?

Rental Screening requires a Rental Property. That's why SoftScreen® needs to have the address and the Listing Agent or Landlord as the responsible party to receive reports whenever we are distributing an applicant's information to anyone other than the applicant themselves.

So what happens if the desired address is not registered in SoftScreen®?

Simple... If the Listing Agent or Landlord has yet to enter the address, the Applicant's Agent can! This will invite the listing agent or even a landlord to OK the address and receive an applicant's offer to rent. Once entered by the Agent, the property is "Provisional" until it is claimed, or OK'd by the responsible party. Once OK'd, SoftScreen® then immediately notifies both the applicant and their agent. The potential tenant can now apply for rent.

• How Often Can Reports be Shared and for How Long?

Unlimited Secure Sharing!

Credit Reports have a limited life span. The financial industry's standard time frame is 30 days. That's because no one's credit report stays the same for long. Changes occur daily, weekly, monthly. Depending on several factors, scores can go up or down. This is why SoftScreen® let's applicants generate and share new copies of reports for up to 30 days, and keeps these copies available for another 30 - or up to 60 days. Printable and downloadable from day one through day 60!

Here's how it works...

Once potential tenants verify their identity with TransUnion® reports are immediately generated. This is when the 30 day time frame begins.

New, fresh reports are generated and saved in the applicant's account each time an offer to rent is being submitted. These are securely shared via secure access with listing agents, landlords, and the applicant's inviting agent. This can be done over and over again during the 30 day period, making multiple rental applications in today's competitive market quick and easy. It also means applicants won't have to pay each and every time! Thats a pretty big deal!

As an added benefit, generated reports will remain available for viewing, printing and downloading for a total of 60 days.

• No Social Security Number? No Problem...

Non-U.S. citizens who have applied for and received an ITIN (Individual Tax Identification Number) from the I.R.S. can use their 9 digit ITIN in lieu of a Social Security number.

• Must I lift a Security Freeze?

You do NOT have to worry about lifting a security freeze placed on your TransUnion® Reports. SoftScreen® works without having to remove a protective freeze that may have been voluntarily placed on an applicants consumer file.

What is a Security Freeze?

This free tool lets consumers restrict access to their credit report, which in turn makes it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in their name. That’s because lenders and creditors typically need to see credit data before they approve a new account. If they can’t see the report, they will not extend the credit.

• What is NOT included on SoftScreen® Reports?

Social Security Numbers and Account Numbers are NOT included and NEVER appear on our reports!

Reports are 100% free of Social Security numbers and any “Trade Line” account numbers! Our reporting is discreet and safe, benefitting all concerned, including real estate professionals and property owners who do not want the responsibility of handling documents containing another’s sensitive details.

PLEASE NOTE: It is necessary for the landlord to obtain the SS# from the applicant who is selected for the tenancy, along with a copy of their government issued photo ID. In the unfortunate event eviction proceedings must be initiated, this information will most likely be needed.

• Who provides consumer data for SoftScreen® reports?

TransUnion® Rental Screening Solutions

6430 South Fiddlers Green Circle

Suite 500

Greenwood Village, CO 80111

(800) 230-9376

• About Completing the Rental Application

For Tenants

A rental application is the primary document, needed when applying for rent. If you have ordered and received your reports, you also received a Rental Application that can be filled and completed. Please make sure to complete your rental application when sharing your information with landlords and their listing agents or property managers.

You will be placed on the rental application page once reports have been generated and your payment provided. You can complete your rental application at this time. Or, return to your dashboard at any time in the future to complete it. The Rental Application is grouped with Reports. Simply click to View Reports. This is where you will find the Rental Application. Instructions appear on screen to help you along.

Your offer to rent is not complete without your rental application! Landlords and listing agents expect and need a completed rental application.

For Listing Agents and Landlords

If you have received a potential Tenant's reports but have not yet received a rental application, this is due to their not yet having completed it. The rental application can be completed at any time, beginning when reports are shared with you. As soon as it has been submitted by the Tenant, you will be notified. We always send an email when it becomes available. Please contact the applicant or their representing agent if this should be the case. SoftScreen® is unable to provide a rental application that has not been completed by the applicant. As soon as it is submitted, it will be available immediately. You will be notified by email when this occurs.

• How can changes be made to a Rental Application?

Once a Rental Application has been submitted changes CANNOT be made. If information needs to be added, or if some of the information entered requires updating, please get in touch with us. Submit any additional information or changes in writing. We are happy to provide a ONE TIME update to a Rental Application if and when needed.

• How Does Document Upload Work?

SoftScreen® provides secure document sharing for all applicants. Tenants can drag and drop, choose files, or scan documents they are asked to provide. (Proof of Income - Pay Stubs, W2's, Proof of Funds, Government Issued Photo I.D., etc.) Documents can also be deleted by the applicant if they no longer wish to make these available.

This feature is grouped with Reports. Applicants can click their Docuemnt Upload tab to use this feature. Anytime documents are uploaded they automatically become visible to the Agent and Landlord.

• Can Two or More People Share the Same Account?

Unfortunately, this is not possible. Consumer Reports provide information on an individual applicant. Every individual has their own Social Security or ITIN Number along with their own unique credit, criminal, and eviction history. To provide each applicant's unique information, as well as to protect privacy, all applicants must register using their own unique email address, create their own secure account, place their own requests, and authorize the release of their own information.

When submitting a joint application to rent, our Best In Class rental application does accommodate for information regarding joint applicants as well as for guarantors when applicable.

• How Can We Be Reached?

To contact SoftScreen®, please click on any of the "Contact" buttons or links found on every page throughout our website. We promise epic support via a quick reply, during business hours, 7 days a week, even on holidays!