By using TurboTenant’s online rent payments, you can strengthen your credit score and build your credit history!
Getting Started
Are you already paying rent online through TurboTenant? If not, the first step is to click the Request to Pay Online button in your Dashboard. We’ll send your landlord an email letting them know you want to pay rent via TurboTenant.
Even if you don't pay online through TurboTenant, your landlord can track payments that you make in their TurboTenant account. We'll still report each on-time payment to TransUnion and Experian.
How to Get Set Up
If you are already using TurboTenant for rent payments, you will likely see an option to set up Rent Reporting in the To-Do and Payment tabs. Simply click the Get Started button and confirm a few details about yourself such as your name and address history:
Another way to access Rent Reporting is by clicking on Settings in your left-hand menu, then navigating to the Billing tab. Here, you can set your Rent Reporting settings:
💡 TurboTip: Your past address should be a place you've lived at for at least 6 months. If you did not complete a screening report through TurboTenant, you will be asked to enter your social security number and date of birth in order for us to accurately report your information to the credit bureau, TransUnion. Your identity information is kept secure and only used in order to report information about your on-time payments to TransUnion.
Tracking Payments
Once your landlord creates a charge, or if you're already using rent payments, you will see in the Payments section that Rent Reporting is on! When you enable Rent Reporting, all on-time payments you make through TurboTenant or that your landlord records as paid will be reported to TransUnion.
💡 TurboTip: No payments you made prior to setting up Rent Reporting will be reported.
Managing Rent Reporting Subscription
You can manage or turn off your rent reporting subscription within your Settings in the Billing section. Here are the steps:
Log in to your renter account
Go to SETTINGS
Select BILLING
Find your rent reporting subscription
Use the blue button to turn it off
Finish Setting up Rent Reporting
If you started setting up rent reporting but did not finish, you'll want to navigate to your Settings tab and click on the Billing section. In the Billing section, you'll see the following message:
"Action required: Finish setting up rent reporting
Your rent payments won’t be reported to TransUnion until you complete this setup."
You'll want to click Set Up Rent Reporting to finish.
Rent Reporting FAQ
Q: How will Rent Reporting impact my credit score?
A: TurboTenant only reports your on-time payments to TransUnion, one of the three major credit bureaus in the U.S. Although TurboTenant cannot track or guarantee a particular change in score, renters with a lack of credit history or low scores typically see the highest increase in credit score when using Rent Reporting.
Remember, there are a number of factors that impact credit scores such as credit card payments and loans. Also, individual scores can differ between each of the three major credit reporting bureaus - TurboTenant only reports to TransUnion.
Q: When are rent payments reported?
A: We report rent payments for the previous 30 days.
Example: January will be reported in February, February in March, March in April, April in May, and so on!
Q: How do I check my credit score?
A: The Federal Trade Commission entitles everyone to a free credit report every 12 months, which can be requested here. TurboTenant only reports credit to TransUnion, one out of the three major credit bureaus.
For more information on getting your credit report, you can visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website here.
Q: What is an acceptable credit score for renting an apartment?
A: While acceptable credit scores vary from landlord to landlord, generally, a good credit score for renting an apartment ranges from 620 to higher. Read here for our comprehensive guide on how to run a credit check.
Q: Can I change the SSN for Rent Reporting?
A: You cannot change or update the Social Security Number once you set up rent reporting through TransUnion through TurboTenant.
Q: Rent Reporting is not accurate; what should I do?
A: To report inaccuracies in the rent reporting, you'll need to contact TransUnion and file a dispute about the content in your report. When you file a dispute with TransUnion, we can resolve the issue within our system. To dispute the content of your credit report or background check, please get in touch with TransUnion via email at [email protected] or by phone at 1-833-458-6338.
Q: I made an offline payment for my rent charge. Are offline payments reported to the credit bureau too?
A: Yes, when you submit an offline payment for a rent charge, and you're enrolled in the rent reporting subscription, the offline payment will be included on your credit report.
Q: How long does it take on-time payments to show on my credit report?
A: When you make a payment on time, they are reported to the credit bureau. It can take up to 3 to 4 months for the credit bureau to update its records and display the payments on your credit report.
Q: My landlord allows a grace period before late fees, if I pay after the due-date but before the late fees are added will this be reported?
A: No, if you pay after the due date your payment will not be reported as on-time. Even if your landlord gives you a grace period for late fees, an on-time payment is considered on-time if paid on or before the due date.