SmartScreen Tenant Screening Terms of Use
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Terms of Use Overview
SmartScreen’s Terms of Use explain how landlords, tenants, agents, property managers, and applicants may use SmartScreen tenant screening services and website content. The live Terms of Use page states it was updated on February 2, 2026.
Purpose: The Terms of Use help clarify user rights, acceptable use, data use expectations, compliance responsibilities, liability limits, intellectual property rules, and the importance of using screening reports lawfully and consistently.
Rules for using SmartScreen services and website content.
Users must follow screening, consent, and adverse action requirements.
Screening decisions remain the user’s responsibility.
General Terms and User Rights
The Terms of Use explain the rules for accessing SmartScreen beyond general website browsing. Users must agree to the Terms before using screening services, and continued use may indicate acceptance of updated terms.
Landlords, agents, and property managers share responsibility for using the platform properly and lawfully. The Terms also identify SmartScreen as a tenant screening platform operated by ClearScreening LLC.
Data Use and Account Information
The Terms describe how applicant and landlord information may be collected, protected, and used in connection with tenant screening services. This includes screening information such as credit reports, criminal background information, eviction history, employment verification, rental references, and related screening data.
Users must handle applicant information responsibly, use reports only for permissible rental purposes, and maintain appropriate confidentiality when accessing or sharing screening results.
Limitation of Liability and Disclaimers
The Terms state that services are provided with limitations and disclaimers. SmartScreen is not responsible for every issue that may arise from third-party data sources, technical interruptions, disputes with applicants, or screening decisions made by users.
Landlords and other users remain responsible for using screening information lawfully, evaluating applicants fairly, following applicable laws, and making final rental decisions based on their own documented criteria.
Intellectual Property and Linking
SmartScreen content, branding, logos, reports, and design elements are protected intellectual property. The Terms restrict unauthorized copying, republishing, distribution, or commercial use of SmartScreen content without permission.
The Terms also address linking practices. Users should avoid implying endorsement, partnership, or authorization without written permission and should follow SmartScreen’s stated linking guidance.
User Responsibilities
Users must comply with federal, state, and local laws when using tenant screening services and handling applicant information. This includes obligations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Housing Act, applicable data protection laws, and data protection rules.
Users are responsible for obtaining proper written consent, applying screening criteria consistently, documenting decisions, securing reports, and providing required notices when screening information affects a rental decision.
FCRA, Fair Housing, and Screening Compliance
The Terms page discusses compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Housing Act, and state applicable data protection laws. Landlords should obtain written consent before screening, use screening reports only for permissible rental purposes, provide adverse action notices when required, and dispose of reports securely.
The page also highlights the importance of consistent, non-discriminatory criteria and individualized review when screening reports include criminal records, credit issues, or eviction information.
Best Practices for Using SmartScreen
Users should review the Terms of Use before using SmartScreen, keep written screening procedures, obtain consent before ordering reports, document screening decisions, and review legal pages periodically for updates.
Landlords should not copy SmartScreen branding or content without permission, should avoid suggesting unauthorized endorsement, and should use tenant screening reports only for legitimate rental decision purposes.
Questions About the Terms?
Contact SmartScreen if you have questions about the Terms of Use, screening reports, compliance resources, or account access.
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