What is your application process like lately

Question

In the past, I've used the BP created rental application. Prior to this year, I used the Cozy (now apartments.com) credit/background check to perform the necessary background digging. For this next apartment application, I'm noticing that the BP application and the apartments dot com applications have much of the same questions.

Is anyone still doing both paper plus online applications anymore, or have most of you made the leap to trusting only the online questionnaire?

Cory Melious · Answer

Thanks for the quick response! I think the apartments dot com application will be sufficient. It basically has all the criteria of the BP one, minus these four pretty direct questions:  Have you declared bankruptcy in the past seven 7 years? Have you ever been evicted from a rental residence? Have you had two or more late rental payments in the past year? Have you ever willfully or intentionally refused to pay rent when due? Although it's useful to give the applicant the option to explain on paper, I believe [I'm not entirely sure] that the answers about being evicted and bankruptcy should show up on a credit check. The only one I'm curious about is the willfully or intentional refusal to pay rent. I think my pre-screening process is pretty good...but with the moratorium I'm still trying to err on the side of caution.  Below is an example of the apartments credit report. Do you happen to see any glaring omissions I should be concerned about? Things that you require that might be useful in my application?

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Find an online screening system that includes an online application. You shouldn't need to collect paper applications any more. Online screening requires the information to be entered online, so let the applicants do it.

You'll occasionally get people that ask for a paper application because they don't have a computer. Tell them to go to the library where there are computers available for free. Stick to your process and you'll be better for it.

Also, try to find a screening system that allows you to customize the application. It's best to spend a day testing out the various providers to see who has the best product, to include the ease of application for your potential renters as well as the quality of screening.