Credit bureaus have rules. One of them is "every customer must be reported every month." So, every tenant in your system will be reported every month starting the first month you're in the system. Credit card companies and mortgage companies can't pick-and-choose which customer they report every month. The credit bureaus make the rules. However, you can charge tenants different amounts for the service or nothing. They DON'T have to sign a document or pay you a fee (like section 8 tenants, students, co-signers or special needs occupants). For 30 years we reported to Equifax without tenants signing (or paying) anything. It was mandated by Equifax. Participation for the tenant therefore is OPTIONAL. Your paying Credhub isn't optional but the cost is so cheap you can choose to waive the cost for tenants protected under the CARES ACT, section 8 tenants and grumpy old men who fuss too much. Make your money, cover your costs, on the tenants who pay, not the tenants that you waive (or charge reduced prices). WHO you charge, How Much you charge and WHEN you charge is up to you. So, participation is clearly optional. Credhub covers the cost of reporting to the bureaus (beginning the first month) until you have the time to sign up new tenants (and renewals), at which time you begin paying Credhub. Watch our training videos to get a clear understanding of these issues.