You can do your application in person with pen/paper or there's a number of services that help you accept fully electronic applications these days too.

Cozy, Quicken, rentpost, appfolio etc.Buildium allows me to enforce rules without being the bad guy and lets me collect payments in the form of electronic check, debit card, credit card or good old fashion cash.

I was able to get a tenant to go from money orders to an electronic pay option.

I use Buildium, and almost all of my tenants pay electronically, and I can pay my owners electronically.  

Bank transfers are typically online where the tenant sends funds electronically to you if your bank offers the service.  

I'd be concerned about liability over damaged electronics from your original wiring comment.  

Real estate contracts must be in writing - but, you can create one with electronic communications back and forth. 

Marie Poe I used a specific language of terminating his right to occupy the property (even if he paid) for violating the terms of the lease (I googled the form/language used).When he received the notice of eviction  he texted me if I let him stay until the end of the month if he pays and I agreed (I'm not sure if SMS is considered in "writing" as oppose to oral agreement) Does anyone know if electronic communication (email/sms) is considered legal form of a notice ?  

I recommend you do the same unless you want to encourage this tenant that it is okay to make their problems into your problems.For the future, consider requiring ACH/auto-debit/Zelle or some other form of automated/electronic payment so "I couldn't get to the bank" is no longer a factor.

It’s free to you but $29 per adult applicant paid electronically by applicant(s) through the Zillow site.