Application for rent: Before or after showing the unit?

[Kevin Lefeuvre]

What's the best practice? Do you require the potential tenant to file the application first and show the house after or do you show first?

I want to require them to apply first and show only to those I am interested in renting to, but wonder if this will turn off too many tenants?

This new unit is priced around $5000/month in a great neighborhood.

[Hubert Kim]

As @Christopher Phillips writes, showing before receiving applications is the normal process.

I suggest giving your potential applicants specific criteria they must meet for consideration: income requirements, credit report, eviction/criminal history, pets/no pets, and so on. If appropriate, schedule open houses for efficiency and (and possibly attention). Then accept applications, where applicants pay for the credit report and background check.

Hope that makes sense and good luck.