Having the perfect rental application form is one of the most important documents a property manager can have. There are lots of tenancy applications available on line. We have tried various applications. We have tried everything from one pagers with limited information to two page applications, which have too much information.
We have found applications that we thought were perfect, then we would use them a few times and discover things we would like to change.
We screen based on the following 4 pillars:
Credit (score / address matches / employment matches)
Current / Previous Landlord Check
Verification / confirmation of income
Personal reference / proper identification
We made an application to collect the information we needed based on our approval criteria.
If you plan to make your own application or use someone else’s, make sure it asks for all the information you want. If you plan to do a credit check, you will need at the very least a date of birth, first and last name, and an address.
Make sure every bit of information is necessary. Then you can tell your applicant to fill it out completely. Do not ask for information you do not absolutely require to process the application (people do not like filling out forms).
Feel free to use our application or other forms.
Here are the flaws we have found in many applications:
Application layout does not flow: If the information you are asking for does not flow, your applicant may not fill it all out. An example of information not flowing would be if the order is mixed up. We have seen applications that ask for the applicants basic info, then employment, then previous landlords. The problem happens when you have two applicants and you cannot figure out, who’s employment information goes with what applicant, etc.
Application is too long: We have seen several two page applications. This can cause information overload. In a lot of cases some of the information is not necessary. We have noticed when we are showing an apartment and the prospect asks for an application, if it appears short they will often fill it out on the spot. If it looks long, they may say something like “I will take it with me and get back to you”.
Application does not have the correct information required for a credit application: If you do credit applications through a tenant verification agency, it will ask you for things like the prospects previous address. Also the basic credit application requirements are full name, date of birth and sin number, also you will need a signature line with a disclosure to let your prospect know, you will be checking credit.
Application only asks for partial information: We have seen applications that might ask for the address, but do not specify needing the postal code. Another example would be asking for employment information and not asking for the amount of monthly income.
You will notice in our application we do not ask for pet information. We have a separate pet application.
What ever your application process is, make sure to do credit checks and proper background checks on all your applicants.
Use our free downloadable forms by clicking here!
Until next time,
Design your Landlord Experience
Michael P Currie
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Hello, in regards to doing credit checks, what company do you utilize to do the credit check? Do you simply ask the tenant for permission?
Hi Steven, great question, I use a company based in BC called http://www.tenantverification.ca they have been great. There is a process to getting set up, and you will need to agree to the terms when it comes to handling sensitive data. This includes having a signed application where the applicant is fully aware and agrees to the credit check. The credit check is not just about the credit score, it will tell a story. I hope this helps,
Thanks for the feedback. I didn’t see anything on your application form requesting approval for a credit check – do you use a different form for credit check approval?
Hi Steven, just above where they sign it reads the following to make the applicant aware that you will be checking credit:
I authorize the verification of the information provided on this form as to my credit and employment. I have received a copy of this application