Frequently Asked Questions
Esusu is a secure, encrypted data processing and storage platform based in the cloud that interfaces with property management systems via certified APIs. The system retrieves tenant rental payment information for transformation and submission to credit bureaus on a monthly basis. Landlords interact with the system via a secure dashboard interface hosted in the cloud. File submissions to Equifax, TransUnion and Experian are undertaken via secure file transfer protocol to separate web portals controlled by each bureau.
Esusu takes data protection seriously, and we have implemented the following security protocols:
- Data is stored and processed in the cloud on secure platforms owned and maintained by independent third parties that are SOC 2 Type 2 certified;
- Data is encrypted at rest and in transit;
- Our technology system is subject to regular penetration tests by independent security experts;
- Our team members use multi-factor authentication for access to all cloud-based service providers;
- We use secure password vaults and anti-viral software on all computers;
- All team members are required to adhere to the company’s security policies and code of conduct.
Esusu contracts directly with landlords and housing providers. If you are a landlord or housing provider, please contact us via email or by completing the Interest Form on our website.
If you are a tenant and want to benefit from our service, please ask your landlord or housing provider to reach out to us for more information.
For the time being Esusu only provides services to customers who live in the United States and its territories.
Esusu can report up to 2 years, or 24 months, of past rental payment history as long as the tenant in question was on the same lease that they are currently on. That is counting from today's date.
Esusu reports rental payments to the bureaus on a monthly basis, and the bureaus factor that data into credit scores after completing their own quality control reviews. Once the on-boarding process is complete, it typically takes between 2 to 8 weeks before a tenant’s reported rent payments will appear on their credit report. The turn-around time depends on the quality of the data submitted, and whether or not all mandatory data fields have been populated.
The credit bureaus prefer to receive each tenant’s Social Security Number (“SSN”) because this identifier makes it easier for them to match rent payment data to the tenant’s underlying credit record.
If a landlord cannot provide Esusu with a tenant’s SSN, then they must provide the tenant’s date of birth, first name, middle name, last name, phone number, and accurate address.
It is impossible to promise or predict a certain score increase because every person has a unique credit risk profile, and multiple factors impact a person’s score. That said, below are some generalizations to keep in mind:
- People who verify 2 years of rental history and who already have established credit could potentially see an increase of 25-50 points if their rental history does not contain any late payments.
- People who do not have a credit score at all could potentially jump up to the mid-600s by adding 2 years of rental payments to their credit file.
If a tenant is more than 30 days late then Esusu is required to report that information as well, and it could hurt their credit score.
Rent will be counted as an open trade line on a tenant’s credit report. The name of the account will likely be “Esusu/Residence".
Esusu works directly with landlords or property managers each month to collect payment data for reporting purposes.
No. This is a common misunderstanding. In the past, only late rent payments, usually from eviction or a lease skip-out, have been reported on credit reports sporadically. Today less than 1% of credit profiles include any rental data.
It’s totally fine if tenants split rent! Reporting can be undertaken for all parties concerned.
A renter cannot self-report his or her rent payment history. A neutral, third party verification service is required to submit rent payments to the credit bureaus.
Equifax will accept rental data for commercial rental properties or mixed-use spaces.
Esusu will work with the tenant’s landlord to resolve the matter within the timeframe mandated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. As part of this process Esusu will utilize e-OSCAR, a browser-based, Metro 2 compliant system.