multipart application ok?

Question

I am just getting started. I plan on listing my criteria for renting my property in the ads. I then considered a first part of the application, which to some would look like the entire application. Then if they pass that step I considered the mysmartmove.com from Transunion application as the last step. How would you all handle this?

Michele Fischer · Answer

We have two applications that we have applicants fill out, and it always causes confusion, but it works.  We ask for all the info to be returned to us at the same time as one packet.  One is the official format to fax in to our tenant screening company (similar to your on-line step 2) and one is additional questions that we want answered.  The issue with what you are proposing, I think, is that you will be asking them to provide the same information twice, which is annoying.  Does the on-line process offer any customization, can you get it to be your only process?  We ran into too many people without computer access or not enough computer savvy to negotiate the on-line process.

Sarnen Steinbarth · Answer

I think some good initial questions to ask, would be:

• How many people
• When they are looking to move
• Pets
• Smoking
• Beds / Bath / Budget
• Basic screening criteria

Then have prospect review pictures / drive by.

Then showing the unit.

Then rental application and screening.

Some landlords for either safety reasons, or just to limited the number of unqualified showings will require the application prior to showing.