TransUnion Criminal Report Coverage by State

When screening tenants, access to accurate criminal background reports is critical. However, some states restrict access to criminal records due to privacy laws and reporting regulations. At Listing 2 Leasing, we use TransUnion’s criminal background reports to provide compliant, high-quality tenant screening across the country.

Here’s what landlords and property managers need to know about criminal report coverage by state and how to navigate these restrictions.

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States Where Criminal Reports Are Restricted

TransUnion currently does not provide criminal records in the following states:

• Alabama

• Colorado

• Delaware*

• District of Columbia

• Hawaii*

• Idaho

• Iowa

• Kentucky

• Maine

• Massachusetts*

• Maryland

• Michigan

• Missouri

• Montana

• Nebraska

• New Hampshire

• New Jersey*

• New York

• New Mexico

• North Carolina

• North Dakota

• South Carolina

• South Dakota*

• Vermont

• Washington State

• Wisconsin

• Wyoming*

*These states are affected by local legislation or data-quality limits.

In these states, you’ll receive conviction information where allowed by law. However, arrests without convictions and records beyond seven years (in many cases) are excluded due to FCRA rules and state restrictions.

 

States Where Criminal Reports Are Available

In these states, TransUnion criminal reports return conviction records (within allowable timeframes):

• Alaska

• Arizona

• Arkansas

• Connecticut

• Florida

• Georgia

• Illinois (excluding Cook County limitations)

• Indiana

• Kansas

• Louisiana

• Minnesota

• Missouri

• New Jersey

• New Mexico

• North Carolina

• North Dakota

• Ohio

• Oklahoma

• Oregon

• Pennsylvania

• Rhode Island

• Tennessee

• Texas

• Utah

• Washington

• Wisconsin

What This Means for You

• In blocked states, TransUnion will not return criminal conviction data.

• In covered states, you’ll receive conviction records—typically going back up to seven years.

• Arrests without convictions are not included due to FCRA restrictions.

Why These Gaps Exist

• Some jurisdictions impose legal limitations on reporting criminal convictions beyond set timeframes.

• Data quality standards aren’t met in some areas, so TransUnion must omit coverage to maintain accuracy.

• FCRA prohibits reporting arrests older than 7 years without conviction.

How Listing 2 Leasing Enhances Compliance

With Listing 2 Leasing, you get clarity:

1. Auto‑detect the property’s jurisdiction to show whether criminal reports are available

2. Notify you when data is unavailable for fair decision-making

3. Streamline your process with full disclosure of coverage limitations

4. Complement criminal checks with credit and eviction reports where needed

 Best Practices for Compliant Screening

• Always combine criminal, credit, and eviction checks

• Check for state-specific legal limits before screening

• Avoid blanket rejection policies—evaluate each case contextually

• Use transparent tenant agreements explaining screening criteria

• Rely on expert tenant screening technology like Listing 2 Leasing

Key Takeaways

• TransUnion criminal report coverage differs significantly by state.

• 26 states offer coverage; 24 states + DC are currently blocked.

• Listing 2 Leasing helps you navigate these gaps effectively, ensuring you stay fair and compliant.

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Knowing your Tenant Screening coverage by state protects you legally and enhances your decision-making process. With Listing 2 Leasing and TransUnion, you gain confidence and clarity—even in states with limited data access.

TransUnion criminal report coverage empowers you to screen smarter and more fairly—state by state.