I 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?
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?
FINALLY! The best comment on this thread.
I have used Zillow's rental application, but I always send an email to applicants with pre-screening questions to get additional information before agreeing to show the property. I wasn't a big fan of the rental application as there are some issues as others have described, however, the rent collection portion was very handy, and I was glad it didn't cost me or my tenants anything to use that portion.
I used for several years. Hated it!!
They got some leads with good tenants. But Zillow rental app really works the worst. They do not have any customer serice support. The app is not friendly at all with all kinds of issues. When you have issues then you get stuck without getting any help until 1 week or 2 or 3 weeks later someone suddenly shoot you an email. Wish Zillow gets shutdown soon so a good and friendly rental app replacement will dominate the market. This is the feedback for the rental listing app. BTW, never use their online rental payment and management tool. They will mess up more.
DONT DO IT!! CAUSE ITS BULLS**T
Zillow fails to tell u that it's worthless seeing how every single place you apply for asks for the same exact deposit for their own application. Rendering Zillows obsolete n null. So don't waste ur money it's all a scam I promise!!
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
I see several people said they couldn't download the application, background check or credit report. All you do is go to "print" top right and in your own printer once you are in your "Print" section choose the "Destination" option "Save as PDF" vs your printer that is named there. You can then save it easily that way.
I agree that there isn't 100% of the info that one can get from other options for credit/background checks, birthdate or ssn, we always call and verify where they say they live and work. If one were concerned about future evictions, one could ask for the date of birth and SS# as well.
We've been only trying it recently and found 4 very qualified tenants who all checked out fine.
Nicole
I enabled "Receive Zillow Applications", and that is why I have received more than 10 applications in just 4 days that are garbage:
3 are BOT or Scam type, perhaps using a stolen identity, and I can assure you that, because they have the same characteristics (Scramble data) and never they interact with me.
The other 7 applications are totally unqualified people for my property as they have super low credit score, collections, low income, background issues, etc.
Today I was able to realize that these 10 people have never seen the house or requested a tour, and I understood that paying $35 applies to many houses, regardless of whether they qualify or not and becoming this a type of Fishing.
In addition to this, I see that this has created a bad image for my list, since two people have already asked me the same question: "Why so many applications?"
Which makes my listing less attractive as prospective applicants are intimidated into applying for my property:
1. They either think something is wrong with the house or
2. They avoid my listing because they think it's already rented or there's a lot of competition and prefer to look elsewhere.
Today I just turned off this option, but the history is still there. I want to remove the applications from my list, since these are not real and are affecting me.