Application before Showing Rental Unit?

Question

If I'm marketing online (Realtor, Hotpads, etc) with lots of photos, can I wait to show until I take applications?  I'd hate to waste time showing to people who may not qualify.

SN: Are open houses for rentals very effective?

Deanna McCormick · Answer

People will usually not fill out an application unless they've seen the unit. Why would they pay a application fee before hand, tenants aren't dumb.

You want them to come you want them to rent, Each call is like equal to $100.00 each showing as important. Make them feel like your rental is worth the visit and worth the market price your asking.

Yes mention when they call that it's XXX occupancy for this size apartment, the rent amount, you require 3 times the rent, you screen all applicants over age of 18 for criminal, No felonies within the past >>>>years, No bankruptcies,... and at least one person has to be over 21 that's on the lease.. What ever your criteria is let them know before they come.

As far as open houses, I prefer to book appointments as close as possible together in like a 1-3hr window, and confirm before day of or day before by text or calling,

I don't do open houses because I like to pre screen people over the phone first so they know what's required and I don't waste my time sitting waiting for someone without appointment to walk thru the door. I also want to be safe and have a general idea of whom I will meet with.

Account Closed · Answer

Pre-screening is the key. I include a detailed description of my rental criteria in the ad, reiterate it on the phone and email a copy so people can review it prior to viewing the property. Very few people will pay for an application fee before seeing the property, unless they are out of state. This could work against you. You could ask for proof of income before showing, but I wouldn't recommend asking them to complete the full application. Good Luck!

Timmi Ryerson · Answer

Everyone has their own way to vet applicants for rental property it seems, as is evidenced by the variety of answers posted.  So for my 2 cents worth, I show the unit first.  I do this because I collect an application fee which pays for the eventual tenant screening report and my time to check with current employer and previous landlord.  I use a marketing webflyer that lets me present the property well.  It has a good thorough description, date available, lots of good pictures and other things that let the viewer get a good idea if this is what they are looking for.  Then when they call for a showing, they pretty much know that they want to rent the place.  95% of the time I rent to the first people I show the unit to. I never do open houses.  It invites looky loos and worse...and just to be clear, I get the application fee in cash, and do the tenant screening, on all people who will live in the place who are over 18.  That means if there is a husband and wife and their 20 year old daughter, I get three application fees and run 3 credit reports.  If the applicant is really serious about renting they will pay the fees.  Good luck with your rental business.

Russell Brazil · Answer

If you require an app before showing the unit....you sound like a criminal who is trying to steal someone's identity. I don't know anyone who would fill out information and send it to some stranger without seeing the property. The only people who would are the lowest quality tenants who don't care if their identity is stolen...so by doing so you limit your tenant pool to people with crap credit.

George P. · Answer

you can do whatever you wish, but lots of people will be turned off. i personally will never, ever waste time filling out paperwork before i have seen the house. ever!

i buy them this way, but never will i waste time.

we had one agent that used to do that (we had no idea) and she was quickly fired.

you are essentially being lazy/demanding - want a great tenant, little work. showings ARE part of the deal here. unless you hire someone.

again, it can happen. it will just take 2/3 times longer

Matthew Wyn · Answer

You could, but most potential tenants would run, and run fast.

I would never, ever in a million years apply to a place before even seeing it as a tenant.

I would also never ask a tenant to apply before even seeing the place either.... that's nearly unheard of. I've never heard of it, even in large cities where places rent within a few days or less.

List your criteria, talk to them, and weed them out-- show it to top sounding candidates, state your criteria without exceptions, show the place -- open house if nothing else, then let them apply after seeing it. Some people will view the place and not be interested or not like it.

Before letting someone inside, I run their name through a quick local court record search, PACER, and google/social site. It takes all of a few minutes and has helped me weed out some with recent evictions before bothering to show it or give them the property address. I do an open house with tenants back to back scheduled within 15 minutes, and tell them "7:15, 15 minute showing window for each open house guest"... if they're an hour late, they'd miss out.

Mags S. · Answer

@mark Douglas   (Don't know why the link doesn't work now.)  I definitely pre-screen electronically or via phone before showing the place.  Pre-screening includes: income requirements in very plain terms (annual income) as some ppl don't seem to comprehend what 3x rent really means, no smokers, pets, etc.  I schedule multiple ppl at one time.  Usually a Saturday morning with a short window, like 1 or 1 1/2 hrs max.  I'd rather have them lined up waiting their turn instead of me waiting for no-shows.  I show each party individually and the others wait outside.  While showing the property, I review the requirements again and many stumble over the "how's your credit' question when you look at them head on.  Some liars snuck in, but very few.

I did not accept any monies for the credit checks at the time of the application, which were kept at the property. (I was going to use a 3rd party vendor and prospective tenant will pay 3rd party directly). The coversheet to the application (used BP app) reviewed how they would be evaluated and if their application got accepted, at that point I would run credit, background checks, etc. and they would pay the vendor?  Between face-to-face meetings and an application, I had enough to go on to decide, if they would be a good fit for property/neighbors and for us to deal with.  I only had the oppty to meet and speak with one of the prospective tenants, so before running the credt/background checks, I 'invited' the prospective to bring the other tenants (children) to view the house and that we wanted to meet them. Yes, that clearly set a different tone than the usual process.  After that, I ran theTenant Checks via smartmove. This process worked well for me.

Mark Douglas · Answer

@Rosston Smith  Thanks Rosston !

Rick S. · Answer

@Mark Douglas make sure you list your criteria either in your ad or when you talk to people by phone before you show the property as that will pre-screen those who may not qualify.

Rosston Smith · Answer

You only show the unit to those who pass the application process. So yes you can wait.

Application before Showing Rental Unit?

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