Monday, March 7, 2016

Rental Application (Basics)

Reviewed by Rocket Lawyer On Call Attorney  Emilyn Arbital, Esq

It's easier to choose responsible tenants when you know something about their background, and a Rental Application lets you do just that. When you're a landlord renting out a hot property, you may need more to go on than a prospective tenant's honest face. You'll need real information from the applicants. If you're interested in renting a property, fill out a Rental Application to let landlords know you're ready to move in.

Use the Rental Application document if:

You are renting out a property.

You want to document each applicant.

You want to perform background and credit checks on applicants.


A Rental Application is almost like a resume for apartment seekers. It can help a landlord quickly weed out applicants who don't meet particular criteria - such as having a paycheck big enough to cover the rent. Prospective tenants can prove they're up to snuff. If you're a landlord, you can check on an applicant's work status and ask for references from past landlords or property managers. 

You'll likely want permission to run a credit check and perhaps even do a background check. Want to find out if an applicant has a pet or a waterbed? Do it before you draw up a lease. As a landlord, you have certain rights and responsibilities. There are certain things you cannot use to decide whether someone is an acceptable tenant. We'll let you know what criteria are considered discriminatory (for example, you can ask about waterbeds, but in some states, you can't bar all students). Landlords should keep all Rental Applications on file to document their fair practices.

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