Rental Application: How do tenants submit it to you?

[Nicole Obregon]

I am managing my own rental properties. How do you have your tenants complete the rental application? Online? Through z website like cozy.co, zillow rentals, etc.? Or, do you have your own rental application?

I have a good rental application in .doc and .pdf form. I've been emailing it to prospective tenants, but so far no one has turned one in. It's only been less than a week, but so many people have emailed me with interest in the property, but no one has actually turned in an application.

I'm wondering if the fact that it's a pdf form is an issue. They'd have to print it out, complete it, then scan it (or take a photo of it) and send it back to me. Is this too cumbersome, or is it what is expected?