Rental Application: How do tenants submit it to you?

Question

I am managing my own rental properties. How do you have your tenants complete the rental application? Online? Through z website like cozy.co, zillow rentals, etc.? Or, do you have your own rental application?

I have a good rental application in .doc and .pdf form. I've been emailing it to prospective tenants, but so far no one has turned one in. It's only been less than a week, but so many people have emailed me with interest in the property, but no one has actually turned in an application.

I'm wondering if the fact that it's a pdf form is an issue. They'd have to print it out, complete it, then scan it (or take a photo of it) and send it back to me. Is this too cumbersome, or is it what is expected?

Shera Gregory · Answer

One important thing is for you to be able to be sure that the information you are getting is for the person who will be living there. We generally just ask to see their drivers license when they fill out the application or take a copy of the application at a showing. There's a spot on the application where I put my initials to confirm that I did this check. It can feel a bit weird to be trying to match up someone's license with how they look (think airline check-in). But it's worth doing to avoid doing all your due diligence on a person who isn't the one who will live in your property. Even if you get the initial application online (which I agree is the easiest way to go) you should require that you see the driver's license of each person over 18 who is on the lease at some point in the process where you have the chance to confirm for yourself that this is who you are dealing with.

Yvonne H. · Answer

I have created my own form using Google forms. Each time I have a property up for rent, I save it with the new property name. Google forms is ideal because:

1. People can fill it out on their phone/computer

2. I (not a third party) decide what questions I want answered

3. It's free for me and them

4. It can show me in a spreadsheet the answers from all applicants, so I can see at a glance who is most qualified.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Online applications are superior. They're convenient for the applicant and for you. It can go right to the screening company (you are screening, right?).

You can get 100 calls on a rental and 80% of them walk way because it doesn't meet their needs, it's too expensive, they know they won't qualify, etc. Don't sweat it because this is actually good news! When I first started, I would get dozens of inquiries on a single rental. As soon as I started telling them I would run a credit/criminal background, my inquiries dropped to just a few per property. It saved me a TON of time and I have better tenants.

I agree you may have problems if people have to print the application out. Find an online application/screening system. Start using it, even if it's not perfect. You can always switch to something better later.

Nicole Obregon · Answer

This is very clear and simple advice. Yea, I think I'm creating work for myself by having my own pdf application. I'll just use one online, and cut down on my time.

Richard Sherman · Answer

@Nicole Obregon   I know this goes against what most other people are saying, but I like my PM to meet them and walk through the lease at least.  Applications they can print or email etc, but we always do an interview in person for anyone applying.  I am in a very hot rental market and rentals go fast, so I like the in-person screening (granted I am not doing it.)

Cody L. · Answer

Why not send them a pdf they can type in?

You should use a property management software that has it built in. I direct people to mycompany. Com/apply and they fill it out. They put in their payment details to pay the fee. From there I push one button to process and get rental/credit/criminal.

If approved it’s one more button to make them a tenant, where a lease is executed for digital signing and they can log in to pay deposit and rent.

These are not “nice to have” features for the younger generation. If you don’t make it paperless, online, and easy forget about it.

I’m 42 (“old”) and don’t own a printer. They’re not allowed at my office. Everything is done with automation and scale in mind

Mary M. · Answer

I use. https://www.tenanttech.com/ Which makes the entire application, lease,management process super easy and all online.

Rental Application: How do tenants submit it to you?

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