RentSpree Review: Fees, Tenant Screening and Is It Legit?

RentSpree sells rental applications and tenant screening to landlords and real estate agents, plus rent collection, bookkeeping and maintenance tools. Its pitch is that "Rental listings and applications are free with RentSpree." This RentSpree review checks that claim against its pricing page and help center, explains who pays for each report and payment, and shows when the paid Landlord PRO plan costs less than the fees it waives.

RentSpree plans and prices

Plans and features from RentSpree's pricing page, read November 2, 2026. RentSpree says Landlord PRO is built for landlords managing their own rentals and RentSpree PRO for agents (help center).

RentSpree tenant screening: price, contents and who pays

RentSpree says "You choose whether the applicant pays or you cover the fee" (pricing page); the pricing FAQ adds that you choose "where local rules allow" (RentSpree). The credit report, background check and eviction history "are provided by TransUnion," and RentSpree warns that laws may limit what is reported, the fee amount and when criminal and eviction reports are released (pricing page). New York's $20 price matches the state's cap on credit and background check fees covered in our rental application fee guide.

One rule to tell applicants up front: "Submitted screening applications are also non-refundable, regardless of the leasing decision." (pricing FAQ)

Rent collection fees and when Landlord PRO pays off

For renters, bank transfers are free and cards cost 3% (pricing page). The cost lands on the landlord: "A $3 fee per recurring payment is deducted from each payout and is paid by whoever receives the payment" (help center). It does not apply to one-time payments such as security deposits, and Landlord PRO waives it.

At 3 units collecting rent every month, the $3 fees ($108 a year) already cost more than Landlord PRO on annual billing ($83.88). At 5 units, switching saves $96.12 a year. With 1 or 2 units, Basic is cheaper unless you want PRO's bookkeeping and maintenance tools.

What a year on RentSpree costs: three examples

Computed from RentSpree's published prices: Basic charges $3 on each of 12 recurring rent payments per unit; Landlord PRO is $6.99 x 12 on annual billing or $8.99 x 12 month to month and waives that fee. Screening is shown per applicant because the applicant usually pays it.

The pattern is simple: with one rental, Basic is cheapest and the only cost is the $3 taken from each payout. With three or more units paying rent online every month, annual Landlord PRO costs less than the fees it removes, and you also get the bookkeeping, maintenance and rent-yield features. Even month-to-month PRO ($107.88 a year) comes in 12 cents a year under the fees at 3 units ($108).

How RentSpree screening works for an applicant

1. You send an application link or list the rental; the applicant applies online.
2. You choose the report: standard ($39.99) or comprehensive with bank-verified income and references ($49.99).
3. The applicant pays, or you cover the fee, where local rules allow.
4. TransUnion supplies the credit report, background check and eviction history; laws may delay or limit some records.
5. You accept or deny inside RentSpree, which includes compliance notices on the free plan.

RentSpree compared with TurboTenant

RentSpree from its pricing page and help center; TurboTenant from its pricing and screening pages; all read November 2, 2026. See the full TurboTenant review.

Is RentSpree legit and safe?

RentSpree publishes its prices, uses TransUnion for credit, criminal and eviction data, and builds compliance notices into its accept and deny step on the free plan. For money handling it states that it "is a financial technology company and is not a bank" and that banking services are provided by i3 Bank, Member FDIC (RentSpree). Those are the checks that matter more than star ratings: a named credit bureau, published fees, and a disclosed bank partner. Applicants who are denied still have rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act; landlords should follow the steps on our tenant background check page.

Free trial, cancellation and refunds

• Trial. Both PRO plans include a 30-day free trial; a credit or debit card is required, and RentSpree emails three days before the trial ends (pricing FAQ).
• Cancelling. You can cancel PRO at any time, keep access to the end of the trial or billing period, and then drop back to Basic.
• Refunds. "Refunds and credits are not issued for partial billing periods, and RentSpree does not offer refunds." (pricing FAQ)

Who RentSpree fits

RentSpree PRO is the plan RentSpree builds for agents. On annual billing it costs $189.96 a year ($15.83 x 12), against $83.88 for Landlord PRO, and the extra money buys income verification reports, automated reference checks and secure document requests rather than anything a landlord with a few long-term tenants is likely to need.

Questions to ask before using RentSpree

1. Will my applicants pay $39.99 or $49.99, and does my state allow that amount?
2. How many units will pay rent through RentSpree each month, and is that 3 or more?
3. Do I need income verification, and is it cheaper per applicant or through RentSpree PRO?
4. Have I told applicants that screening fees are non-refundable?

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