MAKE YOUR FREE Rental Application
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What is a Rental Application?
A Rental Application is a form that collects information about potential tenants so that a landlord or property manager can pre-screen renters and find dependable and honest tenants. Rental Applications typically collect information about applicants such as past rental history, employment information, contact information, and identifications. The information collected in Rental Applications is often used to perform criminal and credit checks, interview employers and previous property managers, and discover basic information, such as the number of potential occupants. It also outlines deposits and rent information for the applicant.
When to use a Rental Application:
- You are renting out a property and want to document and perform background and credit checks on each applicant.
Sample Rental Application
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RENTAL APPLICATION
Landlord:
,
This Application is made to rent:
for a term of .
Desired date of occupancy:_______________________________________
Desired length of occupancy:______________________________________
No. of Bedrooms:____________
Reason for moving:_____________________________________________
The rent shall be per , payable in advance. The Premises are rent-controlled; under District of Columbia law, the rent cannot be raised more than once every twelve (12) months, and cannot be raised by a greater percentage than is permitted by the District of Columbia's Rental Housing Commission.
The following deposits are required:
The deposit will be returned to the Applicant if the Premises are not rented to the Applicant.
The total amount of $__________ shall be due upon signature of the lease.occupancy of the Premises.
An application deposit of is due with this application.
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Name: ____________________________________________________________
| No. of occupants: | Adults: _____ | Children: _____ |
| Water bed: | Yes _____ | No _____ |
| Smokers: | Yes _____ | No _____ |
| Pets: | Yes _____ | No _____ |
PRESENT ADDRESS: ________________________________________________
How long at present address: __________________________
Home Phone No.: (____)_______________
Landlord's Name: ___________________________________________________
Phone No.: (____)____________
Current rent payment: ____________
PRIOR ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________
How long at prior address: ____________________________
Landlord's Name: ____________________________________________________
Phone No.: (____)______________________
Rent payment: ____________
Reason for moving: ___________________________________________________
Social Security No.: _______-______-_______
Driver's License No. :__________________
Vehicle Model: _____________________Year: __________
License No.: ________________________
Vehicle Model: _____________________Year: __________
License No.: ________________________
SOURCES OF INCOME:
| Wages | $__________ |
| Salary | $__________ |
| Commission | $__________ |
| Tips | $__________ |
| Gov't assistance | $__________ |
| Child support/Alimony | $__________ |
| Other | $__________ |
CURRENT EMPLOYER:
Employer: _____________________________________________________
| Position: ____________________ | How long: __________________ |
| Supervisor: __________________ | Business Phone: (____)________ |
Annual Income: _________________________________________________
PRIOR EMPLOYER:
Employer: _____________________________________________________
| Position: ____________________ | How long: __________________ |
| Supervisor: __________________ | Business Phone: (____)________ |
Annual Income: _________________________________________________
NEAREST RELATIVE NOT LIVING WITH YOU:
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________
Home Phone No.: (____)____________
Relationship: _____________________
PERSONAL REFERENCES:
Name: __________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________
Phone No.: (____)________________
Relationship: ____________________
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________
Phone No.: (____)________________
Relationship: ____________________
BANK REFERENCES:
Name: ____________________________________________________________
Branch: ______________________________
Account No.: __________________________
Name: ____________________________________________________________
Branch: ______________________________
Account No.: __________________________
CREDIT REFERENCES:
Credit Card Name: __________________________________________________
Issuing Bank: _______________________________________________________
| Account No.: ______________________ | Credit limit: _______________ |
| Balance owed: _____________________ | Monthly payment: __________ |
| Expiration date: ____________________ | Year Issued: ______________ |
Credit Card Name: ___________________________________________________
Issuing Bank: _______________________________________________________
| Account No.: ______________________ | Credit limit :_______________ |
| Balance owed: _____________________ | Monthly payment: __________ |
| Expiration date: ____________________ | Year Issued: ______________ |
Credit Purchases (e.g. store account)
Name: _____________________________________________________________
| Account No.: ______________________ | Credit limit: _______________ |
| Balance owed: _____________________ | Monthly payment: __________ |
Do you own real estate?
Yes ____ No ____ If yes, please explain where:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Have you ever been evicted from any rental Premises?
Yes ____ No ____ If yes, please explain:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Have you ever willfully and intentionally refused to pay rent when due?
Yes ____ No ____ If yes, please explain:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Are there any circumstances which may interrupt your income or ability to pay rent?
Yes ____ No ____ If yes, please explain:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
Yes ____ No ____ If yes, please explain:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
IF A SECOND ADULT WILL BE RENTING THE PREMISES, THEY WILL NEED TO COMPLETE A SEPARATE RENTAL APPLICATION FORM.
Please provide names of other tenants, including children and anyone who will live with you, even if on a temporary basis.
Name: _____________________________________________________________
Present Address: __________________________________________________
How long at present address: ___________ Home Phone No.: (____)________________
Adult: _____ Child's Age: _____ Relationship: ____________________
Occupation: ___________________________ School: _____________________
Name: _____________________________________________________________
Present Address: __________________________________________________
How long at present address: ___________ Home Phone No.: (____)________________
Adult: _____ Child's Age: _____ Relationship: ____________________
Occupation: ___________________________ School: _____________________
Name: _____________________________________________________________
Present Address: __________________________________________________
How long at present address: ___________ Home Phone No.: (____)________________
Adult: _____ Child's Age: _____ Relationship: ____________________
Occupation: ___________________________ School: _____________________
Name: _____________________________________________________________
Present Address: __________________________________________________
How long at present address: ___________ Home Phone No.: (____)________________
Adult: _____ Child's Age: _____ Relationship: ____________________
Occupation: ___________________________ School: _____________________
CO-SIGNER INFORMATION
(If someone else will be paying rent, but not actually occupying the Premises.) Please complete for sole purpose of allowing Landlord to do a credit check.
Name: ____________________________________________________________
PRESENT ADDRESS: _______________________________________________
How long at present address: ________________________________
Home Phone: (____)______________________
Employer: _________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________
Position: _________________________
How long: ________________________
Supervisor: _______________________
Business Phone: (____)______________
Social Security No.:______-___-________
Driver's License No.: _________________________
Do you own real estate: Yes ___ No ___
Where? ____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Annual Income:______________________________________________________
SOURCES OF INCOME:
| Wages | $__________ |
| Salary | $__________ |
| Commission | $__________ |
| Tips | $__________ |
| Gov't assistance | $__________ |
| Child support/Alimony | $__________ |
| Other | $__________ |
PRIOR EMPLOYER: _______________________________________________
| Position: ____________________ | How long: __________________ |
| Supervisor: __________________ | Business Phone: (____)________ |
Annual Income: ___________________________________________________
PERSONAL REFERENCES:
Name: __________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________
Phone No.: (____)________________
Relationship: ____________________
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________
Phone No.: (____)________________
Relationship: ____________________
BANK REFERENCES:
Name: ____________________________________________________________
Branch: ______________________________
Account No.: __________________________
Name: ____________________________________________________________
Branch: ______________________________
Account No.: __________________________
CREDIT REFERENCES:
Credit Card Name: __________________________________________________
Issuing Bank: _______________________________________________________
| Account No.: ______________________ | Credit limit: _______________ |
| Balance owed: _____________________ | Monthly payment: __________ |
| Expiration date: ____________________ | Year Issued: ______________ |
Credit Card Name: ___________________________________________________
Issuing Bank: _______________________________________________________
| Account No.: ______________________ | Credit limit :_______________ |
| Balance owed: _____________________ | Monthly payment: __________ |
| Expiration date: ____________________ | Year Issued: ______________ |
Credit Purchases (e.g. store account)
Name: _____________________________________________________________
| Account No.: ______________________ | Credit limit: _______________ |
| Balance owed: _____________________ | Monthly payment: __________ |
PETS:
Name: ______________________________
Type/Breed: _________________________
Size: _______________________________
Indoor: _______ Outdoor: _______
Name: ______________________________
Type/Breed: _________________________
Size: _______________________________
Indoor: _______ Outdoor: _______
Name: _____________________________
Type/Breed: ________________________
Size: ______________________________
Indoor: _______ Outdoor: _______
Name: _____________________________
Type/Breed: ________________________
Size: ______________________________
Indoor: _______ Outdoor: _______
I represent that the information provided in this Application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. is authorized to verify the references and employment information given in this Application. and to request a credit check. I acknowledge receipt of a copy of this application.
| _____________________________________________ | _______________ |
| Applicant's Signature | Date |
| _____________________________________________ | _______________ |
| Co-Applicant's Signature | Date |
| _____________________________________________ | _______________ |
| Co-signer's Signature | Date |
IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PROSPECTIVE TENANTS ON THE BASIS OF RACE, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY OR FAMILY STATUS. LOCAL OR STATE LAWS MAY INCLUDE ADDITIONAL CLASSES WHICH ARE PROTECTED FROM DISCRIMINATION IN HOUSING.
The information provided by the prospective tenant(s) may be used by to determine whether to accept this Application. Upon written request within 60 days, will disclose to the Applicant in writing the nature and scope of any investigation has requested, and will, if the Application is refused, state in writing the reason for said refusal.
Accepted: ________ Refused: _________
By: ________________________________________
,
________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Dear Employer:
We are in the process of confirming information provided by a prospective tenant who has provided your name as employer in connection with a rental application. Please verify the information provided by the tenant by telephone or return the form to me at the above address. My phone number is . The best time to reach me is .
Thank you for your cooperation.
________________________________________________
TENANT SUPPLIED INFORMATION
Prospective Tenant's Name: _______________________________________
Position: ___________________________________________________
Wage/Salary: ___________________ Per: ____________
Length of time with above Employer: _________________________
I have completed the above information in connection with a rental application. The addressee of this letter is authorized to verify this information and supply the above named landlord with the information requested in the following items. Your response is solely a matter of courtesy for which no responsibility is attached to your institution or any of your officers.
Prospective Tenant's Signature: ____________________________________
VERIFICATION TO BE COMPLETED BY EMPLOYER
Is the employment information correct: Yes ____ No ____
Is this employment:
Part-time ______ Full-time ______ Temporary ______ Permanent ______
Information provided by: __________________________________________
Title: _____________________________________ Date: ________________
,
_________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Dear Sir or Madam:
Please verify the bank account information provided in connection with a rental application by the prospective tenant named on the following page. You may return the form to me at the above address.
Thank you for your cooperation.
________________________________________________
TENANT SUPPLIED INFORMATION
Name of Prospective Tenant(s):
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Type of Account: Checking ______ Savings ______ Other: ______________
Account Number:__________________________ Balance: $____________
Type of Account: Checking ______ Savings ______ Other: ______________
Account Number: __________________________ Balance: $____________
I have completed the above information in connection with a rental application. The addressee of this letter is authorized to verify this information and supply the above named landlord with the information requested in the following items. Your response is solely a matter of courtesy for which no responsibility is attached to your institution or any of your officers.
| _______________________________ | ______________________________ |
| Signature of Account Holder | Signature of Account Holder |
VERIFICATION TO BE COMPLETED BY BANK
Type of Account: Checking _____ Savings _____ Other: ____________
Account Number: __________________________ Balance $____________
Average Balance for previous two months: $____________
Date Account opened: ________________
Type of Account: Checking _____ Savings _____ Other: ____________
Account Number: __________________________ Balance $____________
Average Balance for previous two months: $____________
Date Account opened: ________________
Signature: ______________________________________ Date: ___________
Title: ____________________________________
PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO THE LANDLORD.
,
________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Dear Employer:
We are in the process of confirming information provided by a prospective co-signer who has provided your name as employer in connection with a rental application. Please verify the information provided by the co-signer by telephone or return the form to me at the above address. My phone number is . The best time to reach me is .
Thank you for your cooperation.
________________________________________________
CO-SIGNER SUPPLIED INFORMATION
Prospective
Co-signer's Name: ___________________________________________
Position: ___________________________________________________
Wage/Salary: ___________________ Per: ____________
Length of time with above Employer: _________________________
I have completed the above information in connection with a rental application. The addressee of this letter is authorized to verify this information and supply the above named landlord with the information requested in the following items. Your response is solely a matter of courtesy for which no responsibility is attached to your institution or any of your officers.
Prospective
Co-signer's Signature: _______________________________________________
VERIFICATION TO BE COMPLETED BY EMPLOYER
Is the employment information correct: Yes ____ No ____
Is this employment:
Part-time ______ Full-time ______ Temporary ______ Permanent ______
Information provided by: __________________________________________
Title: _____________________________________ Date: ________________
,
_________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Dear Sir or Madam:
Please verify the bank account information provided in connection with a rental application by the prospective co-signer named on the following page. You may return the form to me at the above address.
Thank you for your cooperation.
________________________________________________
CO-SIGNER SUPPLIED INFORMATION
Name of Prospective
Co-signer: _____________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Type of Account: Checking _______ Savings _______ Other ____________
Account Number: __________________________ Balance: $____________
Type of Account: Checking _______ Savings _______ Other ____________
Account Number: __________________________ Balance: $____________
I have completed the above information in connection with a rental application. The addressee of this letter is authorized to verify this information and supply the above named landlord with the information requested in the following items. Your response is solely a matter of courtesy for which no responsibility is attached to your institution or any of your officers.
| ______________________________ | ______________________________ |
| Signature of Account Holder | Signature of Account Holder |
VERIFICATION TO BE COMPLETED BY BANK
Type of Account: Checking _______ Savings _______ Other: ____________
Account Number: __________________________ Balance: $____________
Average Balance for previous two months: $____________
Date Account opened: ________________
Type of Account: Checking _______ Savings _______ Other: ____________
Account Number: __________________________ Balance: $____________
Average Balance for previous two months: $____________
Date Account opened: ________________
Signature: ______________________________________ Date: ___________
Title: ____________________________________
PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO THE LANDLORD.
Rental Application Checklist
Make It Legal™
Find out next steps for your document
___Sign this document. This document needs to be signed by:
The Applicant(s)
Any Co-Applicant(s)
By signing the Application, the Applicant:
(i) verifies that the information provided is true and correct to the best of his or her knowledge;
(ii) authorizes the Landlord to verify the references and employment information provided in the Application; and
(iii) acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Application.
___Everyone gets a copy. Anyone named in the Application should receive a copy of the signed document.
Important Details
The Rental Application includes a provision which allows the Landlord to sign after making a determination to accept or refuse the Applicant. NOTE: A SIGNED ACCEPTANCE BY THE LANDLORD CONSTITUTES A LEGALLY BINDING PROMISE BY THE LANDLORD TO ENTER INTO A LEASE WITH THE APPLICANT. While the acceptance of the Application does not constitute a lease itself, the Landlord is required to act in good faith to complete the process by negotiating rental terms that will be evidenced by a real estate lease.
After completing the application, ask the applicant for some form of identification such as a driver's license, credit card, passport, or military ID so that you can confirm the identity of the Applicant. Also verify the identification with information given on the Application - social security number, driver's license number, current address. Ask for an explanation of anything that does not match. Make a note of the explanation, and then decide for yourself if you believe the explanation.
If an Application is deemed acceptable and the Landlord decides to lease the Premises to the Applicant, it is strongly recommended that a written lease agreement be executed between the parties. You can use Rocket Lawyer to create a lease.
If an Applicant does not meet your criteria, be sure to document the basis of your decision. The best approach with the Applicant is to be honest, direct, and polite. Further, don't budge from your predetermined criteria despite an appeal from the Applicant.
You are not required to rent to the first person who expresses an interest in the rental unit. The purpose of the application process is to gather relevant information about perspective tenants to determine whether or not the potential tenant would be a quality renter. If an Applicant fails to meet your objective rental criteria, it is permissible to decline to rent the unit to him or her if such decision is made in good faith and for a legitimate, legal purpose.
Do not discriminate against an applicant on the basis of an illegal purpose: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or family status. Such discrimination AS THE SOLE BASIS OF REFUSAL TO RENT is illegal throughout the United States. You may call the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at 1-800-424-8590 to ask questions about discrimination.
It is a good idea to check with your local housing commission and/or landlord associations for additional information.
About Rental Applications
Learn about how to gather information about potential tenants
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How To Write a Rental Application
Landlords generally want to rent to tenants who will take good care of the premises and make timely rental payments. The best way to accomplish this is to have people who are interested in your rental fill out a Rental Application so that you can use the information they’ve provided to determine if they are likely to meet your rental standards. Following an application procedure requires time, patience and persistence, but it is well worth the effort. Here are some issues and terms to consider when setting up a new or revised Rental Application.
Application Deposit
By requiring a deposit with the application you can determine whether the tenant is serious. The amount can be fairly small if you are trying to eliminate curious applicants. However, a deposit with an application may be more inconvenient than the landlord desires at this early stage. If you reject an applicant, they may have mistakenly assumed that you were holding the unit for them. This type of misunderstanding may be avoided by not taking a deposit with the application.
Co-Signers
You may wish to require a co-signer if a potential tenant is just beginning a job, has not established a credit history, and you want to give the person a chance (for example, an employed person who has lived with relatives, and now wants a place of his or her own). To protect yourself in such a situation, a financially responsible person should co-sign the lease in case your initial instincts about the tenant are incorrect.
The same information should be requested from the co-signer as the Applicant. Be as careful checking the references of the co-signer as an Applicant. You may have to rely on the co-signer's financial ability to pay the rent or any delinquencies. Once you have assured yourself of the co-signer's employment and credit references, be sure to have the co-signer actually sign the lease or a co-signer agreement.
Credit References
If you feel comfortable with the current landlord's recommendation, and the Applicant's employment situation, you may not want to pursue credit references. But a little time and effort spent before renting a unit may save frustration in collecting rent or even eviction proceedings later on. You may establish criteria and check credit references in certain instances. For example, if the portion of the Applicant's income that will be paid towards rent exceeds a certain percentage (more than a third, for example), or if there is a substantial increase in the new rent over the prior rent.
Financial Institutions
Most financial institutions will not provide account information over the telephone. Some merchants with customer charge accounts may release credit references. The best approach is to have the Applicant complete financial verification forms at the time the rental application is taken. The letter must be signed by the Applicant. Be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope when sending the form to the appropriate financial institution. This program offers a financial verification form letter toward the end of the Rental Application document.
Credit Reporting Agency
Some landlord groups belong to a credit reporting agency which provides its members with economical credit checking privileges. If you plan on running a credit check, the Applicant's social security number is required. Be sure that the Applicant provides his or her number on the form where requested. Dealing directly with a credit reporting agency can be rather expensive. When a credit report is a factor in turning down an application, the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that the reasons and the name and address of the credit reporting agency must be given to the applicant.
Investigative Report
If an investigative report is made of the applicant's personal life, the applicant has the right to be informed, upon request, of the scope and nature of the report. An investigative consumer report is a special credit report with more detail than a routine report. It includes information about the applicant's character, general reputation, and personal characteristics. It may also include information from interviews with neighbors, friends, or associates, and information concerning the applicant's credit standing, and driving habits and record.
If you have any further questions or concerns about using credit references, or are faced with unique credit issues of a prospective tenant, you may wish to contact your local housing authority or other governmental division to inquire further. An attorney should be consulted if any particularly difficult issues arise.
Discrimination
You are not required to rent to the first person who expresses an interest in the rental unit. The purpose for refusing to rent, though, must be based on a permissible purpose. And the purpose of the rental application process is to determine, through permissible factors, to the best of your ability, whether a tenant is an acceptable renter.
Do not discriminate against an applicant on the basis of an illegal purpose: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability. Such discrimination AS THE SOLE BASIS OF REFUSAL TO RENT is illegal throughout the United States. You may call the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at 1-800-669-9777 to ask questions about discrimination.
Additional Classes of Protection from Discrimination
State laws or local ordinances may provide additional classes which are protected from discrimination, such as marital status, sexual orientation, source of income, family responsibilities, or student status. Call your state's consumer protection office or the local department of housing to determine if any additional classes are protected in your locale.
Establish Your Standards
You may evaluate a tenant's ability to pay, pets, waterbeds, number of occupants, honesty, permanence, or other criteria required of all tenants. Establish your own permissible standards for a particular rental unit. For example:
- Gross income: Four times rental amount.
- Employment: At least six months in current position.
- Credit: No negative reports.
- Rent: No late payments to prior landlord.
- Pets: None.
- Smoking: No.
- Waterbed: One queen size.
- Vehicles: Two.
- References: Two good personal references.
- Occupants: Three.
- Permanency: At least one year in the last two rental units.
- Appearance: Clean; average apparel.
If marital status is a protected class in your locale, consider the following points. If two adults are prospective tenants, each should qualify for your rental guidelines, because either one could end up being your sole tenant. Because you cannot discriminate on the basis of marital status, you cannot separate the income of an unmarried couple, but combine the income of a married couple. Or you can take your risks and aggregate the income of both applicants, whether married or not married. The key is that your standards are the same whether the couple is married or not.
Identification
After completing the application, ask the applicant for some form of identification. Driver's license, credit card, passport, or military ID. Otherwise you have no way of knowing if the person whose name is on the application and the references are actually those of the prospective tenant. Also verify the identification with information given on the Application - social security number, driver's license number, current address. Ask for an explanation of anything that does not match. Make a note of the explanation, and then decide for yourself if you believe the explanation.
Employment Verification
Verify the fact of employment, length of employment, and income. Smaller employers are more likely to verify information over the telephone because the employer personally knows the Applicant and wants to assist the employee in obtaining housing. If the employer is reluctant, you can ask questions that will require a simple "yes" or "no" response. For example:
-
"Jim Johnson would like to rent a house from me. On his application he said he worked for your firm for three years. Is that correct?"
-
"Jim indicated that he makes approximately $35,000 a year. Is that correct?"
You might also try calling the Applicant's immediate supervisor. If the employer is reluctant to confirm any information over the telephone, you can use an Employment Verification Letter to request employment verification. It may be a good idea to have a serious Applicant complete and sign verification forms at the time the application is taken.
Finding an Applicant Unacceptable
If an Applicant does not meet your criteria, be sure to document the basis of your decision. The best approach with the Applicant is to be honest, direct, and polite. And don't budge from your predetermined criteria despite an appeal from the Applicant. Outbursts from Applicants may be indicative of a reluctance to follow rules or guidelines. Enduring a small amount of unpleasantness at the time of rejection may save you from having to cope with an unsuitable tenant in the future.
Reference Verification
If landlords do not check references, there is no way of knowing if the information given on the Application is true. Check with the prior landlord and verify the employment at a minimum.
Reviewing Rental Rules and Policies
Before you accept an Applicant as a tenant, review your rules and policies with them to avoid any misunderstandings. For example, deposits, rent payment, late payment fees, guests, parties, quiet hours, parking, utilities, garbage, pets, waterbeds, hanging things on walls, changing locks, painting, maintenance, emergencies, window breakage, drain stoppages, lockouts, insurance, and how much notice you require if they plan to vacate the premises.
Let your potential tenants have an accurate understanding of what they can expect from you as their landlord, from other tenants (if any) and what you expect from them. After you explain the rules and expectations, ask the tenants for their agreement. Also, complete the Move In Checklist to confirm the condition of the premises at the time they are rented.
Rental Application FAQs
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How can I find good tenants?
No background check is foolproof, but with due diligence, you should be able to increase your odds of finding responsible tenants who will pay their rent on time and follow the terms of the lease. One of the first things you'll want to do is to learn about your local housing laws. You'll want to make sure that you do not accidentally discriminate against a protected class.
Check their references
While it takes a bit of time, it pays off. Call their current and former property managers and ask them about their experiences with the applicants. If they have moved a few times in the past couple of years, call more than one previous landlord. Additionally, check their social media accounts to see if you can see any clues about what kind of renters they might be.Run a credit check
A credit check will let you know if they have outstanding debts or judgements, how many lines of credit they have, repossessions, charge-offs and their credit score. Generally, you'll want to review their credit history and look for a credit score in the 600s or higher. If you see anything concerning, you can ask them about it to see if they have a reasonable explanation for it.Run a criminal background check
Background checks are not expensive, and the prospective tenant can pay for it as part of their rental application fee. For some, the fact that you perform a background check is enough for them to shy away from the rental application saving everyone time and money overall. Check their IDs to make sure you are indeed running a background check on the right person. You should run a background check on all adults wanting to live in the rental.Ask for an adequate deposit
Ask for a large enough deposit to cover potential damages and move-out routines such as carpet cleaning. If they cannot pay the deposit, that might be a warning sign that they do not manage their money well or cannot afford the rental. Check your local rental laws regarding what the limitations might be on how much you can charge for a deposit. If you allow pets, you can also ask for a pet deposit and even pet rent (such as an extra $30 per month).Walk your talk
If you want to find good tenants, you need to be a good landlord. When you meet to show your prospective tenants your rental property they are studying you also to judge whether they think you might be the kind of landlord that will take care of repairs quickly, if you are a decent communicator and if you are professional. If you show up disheveled and rushed they might assume you may not have the patience and time to attend to the rental property well.If you have any questions about what's right for you and your business, we can connect you with a lawyer for quick answers or a document review.
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How can I help my renter succeed?
You can help your tenant to be a better renter by making sure you communicate your expectations clearly. Make sure they have a copy of their Lease Agreement so they know exactly when rent is due and what happens if they are late. It also helps to remind them every few months or so about HOA rules and seasonal considerations such as leaf collecting, parking, spring cleaning and snow removal. You can also help ensure your property is cared for by supplying them the tools they may need to maintain the premises such as lawn mowers, adequate garbage cans, snow shovels and so on. Make paying rent as convenient as possible by using a service to allow your renters to pay online or by bank deposit if possible. When they contact you make sure you get back to them in a timely manner and address critical problems as quickly as possible. Overall, try to make it so your renter has everything they need to take care of your property and a way of easily contacting you when needed.
We provide numerous tools for helping create successful landlord-tenant relationships such as Lease Agreements, Late Rent Notices, Rent Receipts and Pet Addendums. If you need help making your documents or have questions about housing laws you can ask a lawyer for assistance.
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