Online Rental Applications and Refunding Fees

[Yuki Conlon]

Hello BP!

I'm looking for advice from landlords offering online rental applications. The rental market here is white-hot, and properties often have multiple applications submitted before the property is even available for showing. The law states we must consider applicants based on the order in which they were received, and we want to do right by tenants by refunding their app fee if they were not screened.

Option 1: Set up an online app using FormStack or other secure form with SSL and data stored with 256-bit encryption, and on-form payment integrated through a processor such as Stripe. This allows us to screen one (or more) applicant, approved them, and issue refunds to those who were 3rd, 4th, 5th in line, etc. 

Option 2: Use a site like RentApplication.net or TurboTenant.com, which saves me the hassle of processing and annual fees for my FormStack and SSL cert, however that means every tenant who wants to apply will be charged, and most unfortunately will never be considered. 

I've been accepting paper applications with payment by check up till now - I'd love to hear how others are doing this better! Thank you!