How do you accept lease applications

[Kevin S.]

I'm still working on obtaining my first rental property, but in the meantime I'm trying to get all my paperwork and processes for screening, etc. set up. One thing that I'm unsure of is the best way for applicants to provide their completed applications (as well as copies of DL and SSN card) to me. Originally I was thinking scanned copies through email, but wanted to get the BP community's input on what has worked best for them (or things NOT to do).

[Jenifer Kynor]

Hi Kevin, 

Are you set on using a paper application? If not, there are many forms of online applications out linked with screening reports. One plus side I see with this is that social security numbers are encrypted - so tenants aren't as weary about providing that information. 

If you are certain you'd like to require paper applications and screen externally, I'd have your applicants download the app "scannable".  They can use their phone to take a photo of each page of the document and email it to you in the form of a pdf.