Can I Just Use Any Rental Application? Next Steps?

Question

Hey there,

As the title indicates, where do I get a rental application? Can I just lookup one online? Or do I have to use an application from a company that does background checks?

After the tenant fills this out, do I send this to any background screening company?

Thanks!

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Here's a detailed guide on how to screen applicants: Application Screening Guide

Jacob Zivanovich · Answer

@Kevin Sobilo

Hey thanks for the thought-out response. Zillow also seems like a great option because of all the traffic it gets. I also love your comment about the state's court website.

Michele Fischer · Answer

You are getting good advice.

I use a PM now, but when we were self managing we used the application our screening company provided with an additional page of additional questions I wanted to ask to support my screening point system.

I ask more about address history, I want to know how familiar they are with our neighborhood and how long they stay on average.  I also used to ask more about criminal history, before that became protected.

Jacob Zivanovich · Answer

@Nathan Gesner

Hey Nathan, thanks for the comment! I appreciate the link you sent on a screening guide, very helpful!

Kevin Sobilo · Answer

@Jacob Zivanovich, at this point I would not even bother with paper applications especially if you don't have access to a well vetted one. Its too easy to violate laws by asking inappropriate questions or by not disclosing how you will use the information or by not getting the applicants explicit permission to get background and credit reports.

I would use an online service for receiving applications and getting the credit and background checks.

I use Zillow for applications. They will provide the application information as well as a credit and background check. In addition, I use my state's free court website to additionally check the applicant's background so that nothing gets missed. There are other good services out there as well.

A side benefit is that the applicant pays Zillow not you for the application fee and their application can be reused for 30 days to submit to other landlords. So, that applicant isn't spending dozens of application fees to find a new rental.

Jacob Zivanovich · Answer

@Michele Fischer

Hey Michele, thanks for the comment! I really like that idea of adding a separate page, apart from the screening company, about more personal questions like how long they typically live there.

Can I Just Use Any Rental Application? Next Steps?

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