Application before viewing?

[Danielle Moser]

My current tenant is moving out (yay!) and I need to do a MUCH better job screening this time around.  I have heard of landlords using My Smart Move to do this, and it comes with an application fee of around $35.  My question is, in order to be sure you have serious renters, do you have them fill out the application prior to even viewing the apartment if you already have photos online?  

[Michele Fischer]

If the unit is occupied and we need to disrupt the tenant to show it, we require a partial pre-screen.  They have to fill out the paperwork and it has to score high enough on the first pass, but we don't do all of our due diligence to offer them the unit.  If the unit is empty we show it to anyone who is interested.  I think you can choose either policy, but always be consistent in the application so that you don't appear discriminatory.  And realize that there are pros and cons to both methods (time investment, interested applicants,etc.).