Has anyone used Zillow rental applications? Your experience?
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Investor · CO/MD/NY/VA · Member since 2016 · 18 posts · 39 votes
7yI just tried the applications service and was not happy with the results. It's a canned solution that doesn't give the landlord any control over the process, and has some gaping holes for information that is usually needed to screen a tenant.
First, the social security number is optional on the application, so if they don't provide it you may not get a background check, just a notice that says "background check unavailable." Somehow, they are able to generate a credit report without one, and that is rather strange to me.
On the application, you get pretty basic responses to their work history and living location history. There aren't many opportunities to collect the more explanatory information that is sometimes need to explain frequent job changes or moves. You also cannot modify the application questions. What you get is really basic. It's also very hard to save or print the application. I think they think you will always return to the website to view it, which presents other problems.
One glaring omission to this application is the required statement that every application should have - the statement authorizing the landlord to contact employers and past landlords and for those organizations to release information to you. Most corporate employers and property management companies absolutely require a faxed or emailed copy of this statement with the applicant's signature. You do not get the release authorization nor the signature with the Zillow Application.
Now for the credit report. Zillow uses Experian to provide the credit summaries. I say summary because you won't get a full credit file. You will get a version of the credit score with a suggestion about how bad it is, and then a summary of the rest of their credit history. For many, this may be fine, but I encounter lots of people with mixed credit histories and would rather not go on just that score, but read through the report and decide for myself how much of a risk they are based on what sorts of issues they have had. Regardless, the reports that are provided on Transunion's Smartmove (and Credit Karma for that matter) are far more detailed and useful.
Also, background check report seems to be optional thru Zillow. Need I list anything more?
84 Replies
- Investor · Bartlesville, OK · Member since 2019 · 21 posts · 16 votes6y
Not a fan of Zillow. In order to see an applicant's credit and background you have to verify yourself through Experian. Unfortunately, we have our credit reports locked/frozen so it won't verify our identity without removing the freeze and we aren't sure how long that is going to take. I didn't have this problem with mysmartmove.com. This has really slowed down the approval process for us so we may end up having them fill out the app through mysmartmove.com just to try and keep things moving with them. Anyone else have this issue?
Zillow rental applications leave a lot to be desired. I understand the value to the prospective tenants. I always have my tenants apply through my system. I just cover the fees I'm charged. So many property managers and landlords try to squeeze prospective tenants for just another fee and that is what created this opportunity that Zillow is capitalizing on. The biggest problem that I have with Zillow rental applications is the depth and detail. All background checks are not created equal. The screening of prospective tenants is one of the most important things a Landlord or property manager can do. This is information that is vital and should be in depth and detailed to allow for the best decision possible to be made.
- Investor · Member since 2019 · 82 posts · 29 votes6y
I have tried Zillow rental application manager recently and there are good improvements. They wanted to verify that i am legitimate buyer and after back and forth with support team with documentation, it got resolved in 24 hours. Its reasonable.
- Investor · SC · Member since 2020 · 2 posts · 0 votes6y
I was looking into turbo tenant and cozy but I have not looked into Zillow. I would recommend you look at one of these two services if you are looking for rental applications. I bet the Zillow application is pretty good as well but I have heard many good things about cozy and turbo tenant.
- Investor · Durham · Member since 2017 · 589 posts · 251 votes6y
I have used it in the past as well. Even compared it to my Buildium application that I created and it is very accurate.
- Investor · Miami, FL · Member since 2020 · 80 posts · 66 votes6y
I just used Zillow Rental Manager to have 2 tenants fill out a lease agreement. Even if you don't want to use the paid option to screen tenants, you can easily draft lease agreements in a user-friendly format. I at least recommend it for this purpose.
- Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2016 · 8 posts · 1 vote6y
Victor,
Do you mind sharing with me how rent collection is going? I'm curious how you like it. I'm considering using it as opposed to ERentPayment.com that I've been using.
Originally posted by @Victor Boctor:I used to use Zillow for listings and Cozy for applications and rent collection. Here are the thoughts about applications:
1. Zillow has the applications integrated into their systems, so it is easy to click a button to send invite to apply or resend the application. With Cozy I had to paste int the URL manually.
2. It seems that Zillow allows the renter to pay once and apply to many landlords. This saved them money, but they are less committed when they send an application, compared to paying per application.
3. Cozy's credit check with a bit more detailed and easier to export / print.
I just did my first try to use Zillow Applications and Rent Collections (instead of Cozy). All went well so far, will see how rent collection goes.
- Real Estate Agent · Oklahoma City, OK · Member since 2020 · 471 posts · 462 votes6y
I like Cozy for the application, they make their money on the tenant paying for a background check so it doesn't cost me anything. I do like Zillow for advertising though.
- Member since 2020 · 217 posts · 167 votes6yI've tried Zillow and I like it. One thing it does, is gets the property out there fast, and on several sites. Yes, we get a lot of unqualified tenants, but easy to see through. Yes, the credit check is poor, but a good enough so far. I use my own app, however which does cause some duplication on the tenants side. Also, I don't mind talking to my prospects and will call them and doesn't take long to get a feel if I wish to proceed.
- Member since 2020 · 14 posts · 15 votes6y
I cant speak to their rental application, but I tried to post an available rental through them and I personally hated it. All the emailing back and forth was exhausting and almost 100% of the applicants expected to apply before seeing the home which I'm absolutely against. The local Facebook Marketplace was a slam dunk because it allowed me to quickly connect with everyone through messenger to see first if they might be a good fit. For the application I used Avail.Co and while the initial screening and process was good, they didn't exactly make it easy to set up their auto pay feature. It was confusing to the tenants and me being new to it, I didn't quite know what to expect.
- Rental Property Investor · Glendale, CA · Member since 2020 · 58 posts · 20 votes5y
Marking through Zillow Property Management is excellent. The tenant application and rental agreement are more difficult to use and personalize (no place for listing my LLC as Landlord for example) than I anticipated and multiple tenants had trouble completing/digitally signing the application and lease agreement.
It is very convenient for tenants to fill out the application online and have their credit and background checks all in one fell swoop. BUT the landlord cannot print, save, or cut and paste the credit check and background checks, you can only look at them and they expire in 31 days. You have no record of what you saw on their credit and background check and I don't like that. Also, the credit report has less information than other reports.
- Member since 2019 · 1 post · 2 votes5y
I don’t like it because you can’t save the credit and background check information so I had to do a screen shot and paste it in word to save it. I also don’t like how there’s a delayed response if the applicant has a question there’s no one to call you have to submit your question and wait. For some reason people have been having trouble on how to apply so it doesn’t seem very user friendly for people that may not know how to use technology. The last tenant that applied it shows their credit check went through but not their background and we haven’t been able to get this resolved, I’m soooo annoyed!
- Investor · Arvada, CO · Member since 2015 · 1 post · 4 votes5y
I personally use the Zillow application for the credit and background check, then follow up with supplemental questions to get ss# and drivers license number as well as a signature for authorization for further legal reasons. I screenshot the credit and background check for my files(yes it's a hassle). I'm hoping Zillow will get on board an ad a "save feature" someday. Given the abuse that many landlords have imposed on application fees, my prospective clients like the fact that I'm not gouging them and it creates more trust. I like the fact that many tenants automatically fill out the application before hand. I'm in Denver (super hot market) and it saves me a lot of time showing a properties to a less than par applicants or waiting for the applicant that "says" they are going to put in an application. It is a tool with limitations. You just have to augment it with your own tools. I also use Zillow to collect rents. Again, my clients trust Zillow with their information more than little old landlord lady.
- 5yPatrick DruryBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH & Cleveland OH · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
I have been using Zillow applications for leasing, and haven't had any problems with it. It's pretty self-explanatory, gives me the info we are looking for on the prospective tenant, is easy to navigate, and never had any problems with it. I would recommend you use it. The only downside is its $9.99 a week, but you have to weigh your options would you rather let it sit vacant and try all the free options like Craigslist, a sign in the yard and get no movement then settle for the first tenant that looks your way. You gotta spend money to make money!
- Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes5y
Originally posted by @Patrick Drury:
I have been using Zillow applications for leasing, and haven't had any problems with it. It's pretty self-explanatory, gives me the info we are looking for on the prospective tenant, is easy to navigate, and never had any problems with it. I would recommend you use it. The only downside is its $9.99 a week, but you have to weigh your options would you rather let it sit vacant and try all the free options like Craigslist, a sign in the yard and get no movement then settle for the first tenant that looks your way. You gotta spend money to make money!
@Patrick Drury Zillow was $9.99 a week in my market, then everyone stopped using it. They revised the rate to $4.99 per week, which is now reasonable. Either way, I agree it is a business and spending money to lease the property faster is well worth it.
I tried Zillow applications for the first time on a vacancy this month. I am a long time Cozy user, but decided to try Zillow after Apartments took over Cozy. The application is about the same as Cozy but the credit report is less user friendly. Cozy showed payments by month, so you could see when they had late payments. That tells you if the problem is recent or older. Zillow just shows how many payments were late on each account. The best thing about Zillow is the convenience of applicants being able to apply once and send it to any Zillow property that accepts applications. That is nice for the applicant because their money isn't wasted if they get denied.
The other downfall is lack of release form for landlord references. I wish I could print a digitally signed release form with previous landlord information that I could send to get references.
It is also frustrating that you cannot print a copy of the credit report to look at or save for your files. You can do a screen capture so it isn't really secure anyways. You can print a copy with Apartments.com and most other services so Zillow is behind on this feature.
- 5yPatrick DruryBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH & Cleveland OH · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
Ok. Here in Columbus, OH, it is still $9.99 a week for me. I currently use Appfolio though a lot more for leasing as a leasing agent because it's the software our property management uses, but I still use Zillow for one-off leasing if we aren't managing the unit. Appfolio is a complete beast of its own. As a leasing agent, I just take screens shots of the credit check and info then save them as PDFs in a folder and send that to the landlord to approve or decline.
- Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes5y
Originally posted by @Patrick Drury:
Ok. Here in Columbus, OH, it is still $9.99 a week for me. I currently use Appfolio though a lot more for leasing as a leasing agent because it's the software our property management uses, but I still use Zillow for one-off leasing if we aren't managing the unit. Appfolio is a complete beast of its own. As a leasing agent, I just take screens shots of the credit check and info then save them as PDFs in a folder and send that to the landlord to approve or decline.
I am curious, do you provide an approval/decline recommendation with that? Do they usually take your recommendation?
I know from talking to PM that some will not give you approval rights. One company I talked with said, you can deny an applicant we approve, but we will stop representing you. Kind of harsh, but his rationale was either the tenant meets approval standards or they don't. If I am rejecting someone who meets standards, they don't want to be part of that for discriminations reasons. Just curious of your thoughts on this. Sorry I know it is off topic.
- Rental Property Investor · Oakland, CA · Member since 2017 · 50 posts · 12 votes5y
@Michael Perry It took me about 3 minutes to unfreeze my account and was a seamless process. I was able to add it back quickly after. I do feel in general that I am not getting a complete picture of my perspective tenants, and resort to a paper application for all of the details, and to have the legal stipulation that I can call employers and landlords. I used the background and credit check otherwise.
- Member since 2021 · 17 posts · 5 votes5y
Honestly, whether they make enough income for the rent, and whether they have any violent felonies/are a sex offender is all that should matter.
Digging deep into their entire life history and wanting to see all their banking information, everywhere they have ever lived, if they once paid their cell phone bill three days late, none of that should matter. It's really none of anyone's business. And what on earth would anyone need to keep COPIES of someone's credit report and financial information...especially if they are denied. That is shady as hell.
Everyone needs a home: when someone shows up that can afford to pay you, they should get approved. If there are problems at some point, deal with it then--that's just a risk of doing this.
Maybe landlords should start having to submit to all this invasive nonsense to find a renter; how are YOUr finances, is your mortgage up to date? Property taxes? How much do you pay for each, and how much of the rent is just going into your bank account. How many people have you evicted, and why? How quickly do you make repairs? Are you one of those that charges insane late fees starting on the second and files eviction on the third? Do you just let yourself in without notice and whenever you want? Have you ever been sued? are you over leveraged and one late rent payment away from bankruptcy?
- 5yJulie MarquezPro MemberInvestor · Skagit County, WA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 807 votes
@Julie Phillips exactly this. When I use Craigslist, I get an email and can ask those questions first. It weeds out a lot of folks before wasting any time or money.
- 5yJulie MarquezPro MemberInvestor · Skagit County, WA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 807 votes
@Victor Boctor Does cozy still exist? My cozy account for transferred to apartments.com
- Real Estate Broker · Chicago · Member since 2021 · 108 posts · 23 votes4y
It is easy to use, saves time, and provides applicants with immediate feedback. Some of landlords express concerns about their money being wasted on rental applications like this. It seems as though these individuals are unaware of how much they may be losing without the assistance of such online applications. As they can use it to apply for multiple properties without filling out one form at a time. Applicants can fill out most of their information ahead of time so that they don't have to do it all on the spot when viewing an apartment or house. Landlords can save money by not having to hire additional staff members just to collect applications. Tenants with pets can list them on their Zillow profile so landlords know what they're getting into before agreeing to show them an apartment. And so on.
- 4yZach LemasterBusiness MemberRental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
Personally I think using a more specific application that includes location information and regulations is a better use, but this may be a good starting point.
- Member since 2021 · 1 post · 0 votes4y
Adding two cents for a 2021 review. I was a Cozy user before Apartments.com's acquisition. Single-family home: listed with Apartments.com, Craigslist, FB Marketplace, and Zillow. Very very few bites through Apartments.com and annoying communication interface. Solid stream through Craigslist as is the case throughout my landlord history. Solid stream through FB Marketplace and same amount of flakes as Craigslist. And the most exposure through Zillow as it pushes to sites I have never heard of. But what I really liked about Zillow is that all of the inquiries could be managed on Zillow. After a prospective tenant reaches out, you can easily add them to Zillow. The communication interface with Zillow is the best. Reply via email and it is automatically saved in the platform.
I also really like that I can upload my own lease agreement on Zillow. Although I didn't use that feature and still used Docusign.
Zillow NOT great with collecting rent for roomates. Only ONE renter can be added for the rent payment process. Unlike Cozy where you can have multiple tenants paying their portion, Zillow allows only one. Luckily my tenant is a couple so the wife is taking care of the payments. But our other rental with three roommates, we wouldn't be able to use the Zillow app. I've just started with Zillow, and like it so far. I've used it to list my house, collect applications and do background checks, and also used their rental application template with a few of my own modifications. It's super easy to use, and the platform overall is getting much better. Their rental manager is the tool you'd use. You have a phone app to respond to potential applicants looking for questions, and can setup showings right in the app. And while I don't use Zillow to collect payments, I like everything else that it has to offer. My 2 cents.
- Member since 2022 · 1 post · 0 votes4y
How did you modify the application template. My concern is I cannot really see any demographics for the candidates ie dob, ssn, which I might need in the future
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