Portable tenant screening report

[NotJen]

I’m starting to look for an apartment- should I get a portable tenant screening report, and, more importantly, HOW do I get one?

Apparently, Colorado recently passed a law, and I’m seeing notices on apartment complexes’ websites that I have the right to use a portable screening report, which would theoretically save me from paying multiple screening fees.  I don’t know how many applications I’ll have to submit to find a place.  The first one I’m looking at charges $18 for screening.

My web search has not turned up a great resource for this, so just wondering if anyone here has used one before.

[uniwelder]

I know nothing about Colorado laws and have never heard of 'portable screening reports', but it definitely makes sense.  It has always irked me that management companies individually run independent screenings.  As a landlord, I've liked using Zillow because a potential tenant pays a single $30 fee for their background check and can use it for 30 days for as many applications they want.  Granted, its limited to Zillow, but that covers a decent number of places one might want to rent.

edite to add--- I can't attest to the accuracy, but this site has some legitimate looking information regarding the new background law in Colorado.  It looks like you need the report to be sent to the management company directly from the credit agency.  I have heard of https://www.mysmartmove.com as a reputable background check company, which is operated by TransUnion, so it sounds like this should satisfy the requirements.

[NotJen]

edite to add--- I can't attest to the accuracy, but this site has some legitimate looking information regarding the new background law in Colorado.  It looks like you need the report to be sent to the management company directly from the credit agency.  I have heard of https://www.mysmartmove.com as a reputable background check company, which is operated by TransUnion, so it sounds like this should satisfy the requirements.

Yes, that's the most reputable-looking link I could find.  I couldn't tell what exactly I would get if I chose 'Start Screening' (didn't want to give my email address yet to find out), since there was some wording about 'landlord chooses who pays', and I was looking for something 'landlord-independent', I suppose.

Since I'm looking for a 1 bedroom probably in a complex, I don't see myself applying through Zillow, though I have looked there to see what pops up, and I did see the common background check which is nice.

[uniwelder]

edite to add--- I can't attest to the accuracy, but this site has some legitimate looking information regarding the new background law in Colorado.  It looks like you need the report to be sent to the management company directly from the credit agency.  I have heard of https://www.mysmartmove.com as a reputable background check company, which is operated by TransUnion, so it sounds like this should satisfy the requirements.

Yes, that's the most reputable-looking link I could find.  I couldn't tell what exactly I would get if I chose 'Start Screening' (didn't want to give my email address yet to find out), since there was some wording about 'landlord chooses who pays', and I was looking for something 'landlord-independent', I suppose.

Since I'm looking for a 1 bedroom probably in a complex, I don't see myself applying through Zillow, though I have looked there to see what pops up, and I did see the common background check which is nice.

Oh my gosh, I just realized I never actually posted the link to the site (a different one besides the mysmartmove one) I found.  Sorry for the confusing message.  I think it might have been this one---- https://www.rentgrace.com/blog/colorado-landlords-must-now-accept-tenant-provided-background-reports-sb23-1099