What Is a Good TransUnion ResidentScore?

A good ResidentScore sits in the middle of TransUnion's 300‑850 scale, typically 660 to 779; scores 780 and above are considered excellent, while anything below 660 is viewed as fair or poor.

For example, a tenant with a 710 score usually clears most screening thresholds without extra paperwork. A 640 score often requires a co‑signer or higher income proof, whereas a 795 score almost guarantees approval across most landlords. TransUnion ResidentScore overview

You can view your ResidentScore on TransUnion's online portal or via a credit‑report request that includes the rent‑score add‑on.

1. Create a MyTransUnion account at TransUnion's consumer portal.
2. Select 'Add‑on Services' and choose 'ResidentScore' - the fee is usually $5‑$10 and the score appears instantly.
3. If you prefer a free annual report, order your credit file from AnnualCreditReport.com, then request the 'RentBureau® add‑on' in the online portal; the ResidentScore shows in the 'Rental History' tab.
4. Download the TransUnion mobile app, log in, and tap 'ResidentScore' on the dashboard for a quick view on your phone.
5. Ask your current or prospective landlord to share the screening report they received; it lists your ResidentScore alongside the credit score.

These steps let you locate the exact number, so you can compare it to the 'good' ranges discussed earlier and prepare for the landlord‑screening section that follows.

ResidentScore measures rental behavior, while a traditional credit score measures credit‑card and loan performance.

A credit score ranges from 300 to 850, calculates payment history, credit utilization, debt age, and recent inquiries, and guides lenders in loan decisions.

ResidentScore ranges from 0 to 900, draws on lease payments, eviction filings, rent‑payment consistency, and public rental records, and landlords use it during tenant screening. For more detail see the TransUnion ResidentScore overview.

Landlords pull your ResidentScore from TransUnion early in the screening workflow and treat the number like a credit‑score shortcut for rental risk. They compare the value to an internal cutoff - often a 'good' range of 660 to 740 as defined in the earlier 'which ResidentScore range counts as good' section - and decide whether to move you to the next step.

When the score lands in the 'good' band, landlords usually deem you low‑risk and focus on secondary data such as income verification or prior rent payments. A score below 600 typically raises a red flag, prompting either a higher deposit demand or an outright rejection, while a score just above the cutoff may still be scrutinized if other factors look weak.

In practice, most landlords combine the ResidentScore with the rental‑history report they receive, checking for recent evictions or frequent moves. They also match the score against the rent amount; a higher‑priced unit often requires a score of 700 or higher. This layered approach explains why the next section, 'what ResidentScore landlords usually require for approval,' matters for your application.

Most landlords approve tenants who show a ResidentScore of 700 or above, because that range signals reliable payment behavior on TransUnion's scale. Scores below 650 often trigger a deeper review or a denial, while scores between 650 and 699 may be accepted if the applicant compensates with strong income or references.

•  700 + : automatic approval for most single‑family homes and mid‑range apartments
•  650  -  699: conditional approval; landlords usually require proof of steady income, low debt‑to‑income ratio, or a co‑signer
• Below 650: high‑risk category; most landlords decline unless the applicant provides extensive rental history, large security deposit, or a guarantor

Boost your ResidentScore fast with these five actions.

• Pay rent on or before the due date each month; on‑time payments dominate the score.
• Enroll in a rent‑reporting service such as The Credit People so positive rent history reaches TransUnion.
• Clear any outstanding collections or medical debt; a zero balance erases a major negative mark.
• Update personal details (address, phone) in your TransUnion profile to prevent mismatches that can lower the score.
• Avoid new hard inquiries on your credit file for at least 30 days; each inquiry can shave points off the ResidentScore.

Late rent, high credit utilization, eviction records, and frequent moves are the four behaviors that typically cause a ResidentScore to drop quickly.

• Late rent payments - A 30‑day or longer delay appears on your credit report and signals payment risk; landlords usually see a noticeable dip afterward, though TransUnion does not publish exact point values.
• High credit‑card or loan utilization - Using a large percentage of your available credit signals financial strain; this factor weighs heavily in the scoring model and can shave points off your ResidentScore.
• Recent eviction or public‑record judgment - Any eviction filing or court judgment that shows up on your credit file is treated as a serious negative event and tends to lower the score sharply.
• Frequent address changes - Moving several times within a short period suggests instability; while there's no disclosed penalty count, landlords often view this pattern unfavorably, which may reduce the score.

Spotting these red flags early lets you address them before they compound, paving the way for the dispute tactics discussed in the next section.

Dispute a ResidentScore error with TransUnion by submitting a formal dispute through its online portal, by phone, or by certified mail. First, download your latest report, highlight each inaccurate item, and gather supporting documents such as lease agreements, payment records, or court judgments.

Then log into the TransUnion consumer dispute portal, attach the evidence, and describe why the entry is wrong; if you prefer paper, mail a one‑page letter with copies of the same documents and keep a receipt.

TransUnion must investigate within 30 days, contacting the data furnisher and notifying you of the outcome. If the item is verified as incorrect, it is removed and your ResidentScore updates automatically; you may also add a brief consumer statement to the report. Should the result remain unsatisfactory, you can forward the dispute to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for further review.

Even with a ResidentScore in the 'good' range (typically 600‑700), a landlord can still reject your application. Most screening systems combine the score with income verification, rental‑payment history, criminal checks, and the property's own risk tolerance; a short‑term job, recent eviction, or a pet policy can outweigh a solid score.

Landlords also set internal cutoffs that differ from the industry baseline, especially in high‑ demand neighborhoods where they receive dozens of applications per unit. In those markets, a 'good' ResidentScore may merely get you into the pool, not guarantee the lease. (See how landlords read ResidentScore during tenant screening for more detail.)

Tenant A pulled a ResidentScore of 618, found a mistaken late‑payment entry, disputed it, and saw the score climb to 702 within two weeks; the landlord who requires a typical 650+ approved the lease immediately.

Tenant B recorded a 585 ResidentScore after a medical collection, paid the debt in full, added a rent‑reporting service, and lifted the score to 660, meeting the usual 640 threshold and securing approval from a property management firm.

Tenant C started with a 640 ResidentScore, added a credit‑worthy co‑signer and automated utility payments, boosted the score to 735, and satisfied the higher 720 benchmark set by a boutique landlord, resulting in a signed lease.