Do you make prospect submit an app before viewing property?

Question

Or do you hand it to them as they leave?

Jessie Huffey · Answer

I also do not accept applications without the person (or their representative) viewing the property, partly because I process all applications through Cozy and the prospective renters have to pay $40 to apply so I don't want to waste their money. I also don't want to waste my time so I do a little bit of pre-screening before I even show the property by sending the following letter:

Please review the rental criteria below and if you feel you are able to meet the criteria, I would be happy to set up a showing. My phone number is ....

Applicant selection will be based on these factors: Completion of application, credit history, income, financial obligations, background check, number of people and pets, and references. Lease terms will require that all people and pets living in the home be declared on the rental application. Additional people or pets living on the premises that are not declared on the rental application will be a violation of the lease, as are late payments. This property has been carefully prepared and is backed by a very responsible landlord to make it a secure, welcoming home. In return, it is expected that all rental occupants will refrain from any illegal activity, keep the property clean, and protect the property from damage. Any alterations you wish to make on the property must be approved by the landlord in writing beforehand. You will need to obtain and keep renters insurance, refrain from indoor smoking, and act as a considerate member of the neighborhood.

Thanks again for your interest. Once you have had a chance to take a tour of the property, you may decide to apply. Applications may be submitted through Cozy rental services and will require a credit and background report (fee is refundable if your application meets our requirements and you choose to rent from us): rental app link

Kim Meredith Hampton · Answer

@Steve S. I dont let them apply unless they have physically seen the property, no sense in wasting time. They may not like what they see, rooms too small, it backs up to power lines, etc....

My applications are done online, must submit paystubs etc...

Yvette M. · Answer

I phone (interrogate) screen with a list of questions.  If prospect passes phone screen, I will invite for a showing.  If I feel they would be a good fit at the showing, I email them an application.  Once I receive an application, I start doing my footwork to check references, drive by current residence, etc.

I don't take application fee until I'm 99 percent sure I will rent to them.

This may seem a bit convoluted, but it works for me.

Paul Ronto · Answer

Like @Phillip Faries stated, I think having some basic acceptance criteria in your property listing helps to weed out a lot of people that wouldn't qualify. My recommendation is when you have people show interest, do some quick initial phone screening, then if they pass and are still interested set up a showing.

If they are wanting to move forward after the showing, then start the application process. I ditched paper long ago, it's just too time-consuming to print it, hand it out, collect it, go through it, and then have to ask tenants to also submit another form for screening reports. Check out the software out there that integrates all this, application and screening reports into one easy online system.

Skipping this step is a big red flag, we've all done it probably because it's a hassle, but with the software out there now you have no excuse and the better you screen your potential tenants the easier your job as a landlord will get. There's good free software out there, use it.

Good luck, and let me know if you have any questions, feel free to reach out directly if you want to chat.

Phillip Faries · Answer

Within my ad I list my minimum standards, i.e. 700 credit score, 1 year or more at the job, rent cant exceed 33.33% of over all pay, etc. This weeds out a lot of people.

From there 9 out of 10 times the people who come to view my place will more than likely qualify to rent from me. This great since I know I'm not wasting my time showing the unit.

After the showing, I ask if the place is somewhere they would be comfortable living in, if its a no, they leave, if its a yes, I ask if I can ask them a few questions. (They always said yes)

I pull out the application and just go down the list of questions while filling it out in front of them.

By the end of it, I've spent a good 10-20 minutes having a conversation with my potential new tenant and got all my questions answers. In addition, right away I can tell them if they qualify or not, pending the credit/background/eviction check and pay/job/reference review.

I find this is the best way for me as they know where we both stand and we can make fast decisions if we want to move forward . the added plus is I'm not following up for the app.

JD Martin · Answer

No. And all of our applications are electronic so there's nothing to hand them.

Jeff V. · Answer

Steve,

We show the prospect the property first, then if it fits their needs/family size and they like the property then we screen them to see if we in turn would like to rent to them.  We process a paper application, then process them through smart move for credit/criminal background/eviction and make a decision based on the information we learn.

No need to receive an app if the property isn't a fit for the prospect for whatever reason...

Jeff V

Frankie Felix · Answer

no, it's a waste of time if they don't like the property or if they don't qualify.

I have paper applications or they can fill out an application on line.

Do you make prospect submit an app before viewing property?

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