Application before showing?

Question

Hey all.  First time landlord, listed my condo for rent about 10 days ago - Zillow and Cozy.  I've had about 10 inquiries through Zillow.  I respond with a link to a Cozy application and state that we can schedule a showing after you complete the application.  I also state that I'm waiving the background check requirement until after a showing can be conducted - making it a free application.  So far I've had no applications.  Is it unreasonable to require an application on the front end?  I know I'm probably gating a lot of prospects with this requirement, but I don't have time to deal with tire kickers.

Greg Schuricht · Answer

Thanks for the feedback!

I try to make it clear that I'm waiving the background and credit check requirements until after we can do a showing.  This effectively makes it a free application.  However they do have to fill out employment and rental history, and personally I would be turned off by this if I were the renter.

Renee Potoczny · Answer

We have a list of pre screening questions that we ask before setting up a showing.  This was the first time we tried this method, and found it very helpful in eliminating people that would not qualify as tenants for us.  (In the past we would schedule one showing time for any interested people to come by, then we'd ask all of the questions, then application, background).   We do not charge application fee, the tenant pays for background check.

Mary M. · Answer

I always talk/text with folks before I show my units. I try to get a feel for the person and i spend a bit of time laying out my guidelines etc.

I then set up showings. Only then do i give folks the ability to fill out an application.

I try to stay in control as much as i can.

Fwiw i do not charge any fees to propective tenants like application fees etc. i consider those costs to be cost of business and not tenant costs.

Jim Adrian · Answer

If you personally would be turned off by this then there lies the problem.  If you wouldn't do it then don't expect the future tenants do it either.  People don't want to invest any time into something they are only partly interested.  I would rather get them in the door and sell them on the place once they can see it.   This way I can have a conversation with them and see if they fit.

Or get the negative feedback about the place to i can fix it or market around the issue.  Then hand them an application.  You need to find a process that works for you.  I have a 2br sfr that can be tough to rent out.

Katie Stewart · Answer

Hey Greg! I wouldn't recommend asking for a full application before a showing, as many people want to see a property before paying money for an application. As the others have stated in their posts, pre-screen them before showing them the property THEN have them fill out your application and have the background check pulled on them.

Jim Adrian · Answer

I tried doing prescreening and people would not fill out the questionnaire so I gave up on that. I know I was too antsy to get the place rented.  Though I do agree with doing pre-screening.  You may want to consider doing an open house for 2 hours or making appointments every 20 minutes. I wouldn't worry about other perspective tenants seeing each other and it may help create an sense of urgency for them if they like the place.  I did turn my pre-screening questions into points of conversation with tenants and let them have verbal diarrhea to learn a lot more.

Andrew B. · Answer

I've never used Cozy, so I cannot be sure what information you are requesting. But, its possible that the potential applicants may see it as too much info to divulge before even seeing the property. If this is the case, you can create a simpler group of questions to ask to determine their "pre-screened eligibility." Some quick questions like, "Do you make more than $XXX per month, pre-tax?" "Do you plan on moving in with X people or less?" "Do you have any animals?" may be viewed as less onerous, and give you a bigger pool of applicants.

I do agree that you are removing some of the less serious applicants with your cozy application, but you need to strike a balance that weeds out the tire kickers, without pushing away the serious ones too. Only you can make the determination of what is the right balance.

Thomas S. · Answer

You eliminate tire kickers through pre screening. You do not need a application in advance when you know how to screen. Set your screening standards, ask the questions during your pre screening interview and kick those that do not qualify.

If they are not filing a application this is already eliminating the tire kickers. They are likely not going to pass screening anyway so don't worry.

Application before showing?

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