How Much Does TransUnion Tenant Screening Cost?

With TransUnion you'll typically pay $15 to $30 for a one‑off tenant screening in 2024, which includes the basic credit and rental‑payment snapshot; a monthly subscription lowers the per‑report fee to about $10 to $12, and bulk pricing for landlords processing 200 or more screens can bring the cost down to $5 to $8 per report (add‑on services such as criminal or eviction checks add roughly $4‑$6 each).

• Credit summary with TransUnion score (300‑850) and recent payment behavior.
• Detailed tenancy history showing past and current addresses, lease dates, and rent‑payment patterns.
• Eviction records, including filed, pending, or resolved actions and outcomes.
• Public records such as bankruptcies, civil judgments, and tax liens that may impact tenancy risk.
• Identity verification data, including Social Security validation, fraud alerts, and linked tradelines relevant to rental obligations.

A subscription spreads the cost across multiple reports, while a one‑off screening charges each check individually.

With a one‑off model you typically pay $20‑$30 per TransUnion tenant screening, as outlined earlier in 'what you'll pay per transunion screening.' This approach works if you run only a few units or need occasional checks.

A subscription usually starts around $150 per month for up to 10 reports, dropping the per‑report price to roughly $15‑$20 as you add more screenings. Subscriptions often include a set number of extra reports or discounted add‑ons, making them attractive for landlords who manage many units or prefer predictable budgeting. For exact tier details see TransUnion tenant screening pricing.

If you expect to run dozens of screenings each month, the subscription's lower per‑screen cost and included features beat the one‑off pay‑as‑you‑go price. If you screen only sporadically, the one‑off fee avoids a recurring charge and keeps expenses tied directly to activity.

If you screen dozens or hundreds of applicants, TransUnion typically offers tiered bulk pricing that drops the per‑report cost as your volume climbs. Current 2024 schedules (subject to change) commonly look like this: 1‑49 reports ≈ $35 each, 50‑149 ≈ $30, 150‑499 ≈ $25, and 500+ ≈ $20 per report, often bundled with a subscription to lock the rate.

1. Calculate your expected volume. Look at recent leasing activity and project the number of screenings per month; this determines which tier you'll qualify for.
2. Contact a TransUnion sales representative. Use the TransUnion tenant screening pricing guide to request a customized quote based on your projected volume.
3. Select a tiered plan or subscription. Choose the tier that matches your volume or opt for a subscription that guarantees the lowest rate for a set term.
4. Negotiate an annual commitment if feasible. Committing to a year often reduces the per‑report price by an additional 5‑10 % compared with a month‑to‑month arrangement.
5. Track usage and adjust. Monitor how many reports you run each month; when you cross into a higher tier, ask TransUnion to re‑price your agreement so you capture the new discount immediately.

Watch for three hidden fees that can push a TransUnion tenant screening bill above the advertised rate: an report amendment charge (usually $5‑$15 per correction), a re‑run or re‑check fee (typically $10‑$20 each time you pull a new report for the same applicant), and a state‑mandated consumer reporting surcharge (often $1‑$3 per tenant).

Some vendors also tack on a small expedited‑service surcharge ($2‑$5) if you need results faster than the standard 24‑hour window.

These fees appear regardless of whether you choose a one‑off purchase, a subscription, or bulk pricing plan, but they can be rolled into the per‑unit cost under a bulk contract, making the savings less obvious. Keep an eye on itemized invoices and ask the provider to separate any re‑run or amendment charges before you approve the final total.

Knowing these extras helps you avoid surprise expenses before you move on to the next section on costs you'll face for disputes and rechecks (TransUnion tenant screening fees).

When you contest a TransUnion tenant screening report or ask for a fresh check, you incur separate dispute or recheck fees.

Dispute fees

• Often $0 if you use TransUnion's online portal; some third‑party platforms charge $10‑$20 per dispute.
• Fees apply per individual report, not per batch, so bulk pricing does not automatically reduce them.

Recheck fees

• Typical cost $10‑$15 for each additional tenant screening run.
• Many services allow one free recheck within 30 days of the original one‑off or subscription report.
• Additional rechecks after the free window usually follow the same $10‑$15 range; expedited rechecks may add $5‑$10.

Other considerations

• Subscription plans may bundle a set number of rechecks, effectively lowering the per‑recheck price.
• Bulk pricing can negotiate lower dispute or recheck rates when you manage dozens of units.

These charges add to the base price discussed earlier and will influence whether you opt for a faster screening option in the next section.

Yes, faster screening typically costs more, but the premium is modest.

In 2024 TransUnion charges the standard 48‑hour tenant report for the same fee as the basic one‑off service, while an expedited 24‑hour turnaround usually adds $5‑$10 per screening (sometimes $15 for same‑day).

A subscription often bundles the faster option at no extra charge, and bulk pricing can shave the surcharge down to $2‑$3 per unit. See TransUnion tenant screening turnaround times for current rates.

The extra expense is a small fraction of the total cost, and it influences the next question about whether landlords can pass screening fees to tenants.

Yes, you can generally pass the TransUnion tenant screening fee to a prospective renter, but only if you disclose the charge up front and the amount does not exceed the actual cost of the report (typically $15‑30 per one‑off check in 2024). State statutes vary - some require the fee to be listed on the application, others limit it to the exact cost, and a few prohibit any pass‑through at all, so check your local state rules on screening fees before collecting money.

Make the fee transparent by including it in the rental application or lease addendum, and keep records of the TransUnion charge in case a tenant disputes it. If you use a subscription or bulk pricing model, the per‑unit cost may drop to under $10, which helps you stay within legal limits while still covering expenses; see the next section on '5 practical ways you can cut screening costs' for budgeting ideas.

Cut your TransUnion tenant screening bill by focusing on volume, data, and timing.

• Switch to a subscription model when you screen more than 10 units a month; TransUnion typically offers a per‑screen discount of 15‑25 % versus one‑off fees.
• Leverage bulk pricing tiers discussed in the previous section; negotiate a flat rate for 50‑plus screens and lock in the price for a year to avoid annual hikes.
• Trim the report to only the data you actually need - credit score and eviction history usually suffice - because each added data point carries a small surcharge.
• Schedule rechecks only after a lease breach or a 12‑month gap; unnecessary repeats can add $5‑$10 per screen.
• Bundle the screening with other landlord services (rent‑payment platforms or insurance) to qualify for bundled‑service discounts that TransUnion often extends to partners.

These steps flow naturally into the next section on cheaper screening alternatives you can use instead.

Hire a lawyer when the 502 letter denies a valid dispute, when TransUnion refuses to correct an error after you've provided proof, or when the letter suggests fraud and the dispute could lead to legal action.

A lawyer may file a Fair Credit Reporting Act suit, compel TransUnion to produce the underlying documentation, and negotiate removal of inaccurate entries that could otherwise remain on your report for years.

Before contacting an attorney, collect the 502 letter, all related correspondence, and supporting evidence; then book a brief consultation to let the lawyer decide if a lawsuit or a file a CFPB complaint would be more effective.

Here are the real out‑of‑pocket costs you'll see in three typical landlord setups.

A solo landlord who runs a one‑off TransUnion tenant screening usually pays $15‑$30 per report, plus a $5‑$10 dispute fee if a tenant challenges an adverse finding.

A midsize manager with a subscription for up to 30 units pays roughly $12‑$20 per unit each month; the subscription bundles rechecks and typically includes a $0‑$5 fee for each additional re‑screen. A large portfolio owner who secures bulk pricing for 100+ units sees costs drop to $8‑$12 per report, with bulk contracts often absorbing dispute fees and capping recheck charges at $2 per extra pull.

For example, a landlord with five units ordered three one‑off checks each month, totaling $225‑$450 in a year plus $30‑$60 for disputes. A property manager with 20 units on a $15‑per‑unit subscription spent $3,600 annually, including three rechecks at $5 each. A regional owner handling 250 units under a bulk agreement paid $2,500‑$3,000 for all screenings, with only $200 in occasional rechecks. See current pricing details at TransUnion landlord screening pricing.