Rental Application
Create a comprehensive rental application for effective tenant screening. Our template includes all necessary fields for income verification, rental history, references, and background check authorization in compliance with Fair Housing laws.
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Start Creating - FreeWhat's Included in Our Rental Application
Personal Information
- Full legal name and aliases
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number
- Driver's license information
- Contact information
Rental History
- Current and previous addresses
- Landlord contact information
- Monthly rent amounts
- Reason for leaving
Employment & Income
- Current employer details
- Position and salary
- Additional income sources
- Supervisor contact for verification
Authorization & Disclosures
- Credit check authorization
- Background check consent
- Reference verification consent
- Signature and date
Tenant Screening Best Practices
For effective tenant screening, follow these steps:
- Collect Complete Applications: Require all fields to be completed
- Verify Income: Request pay stubs or bank statements (2-3x rent)
- Check Credit: Review credit score and payment history
- Contact References: Speak with previous landlords directly
- Run Background Check: With proper authorization
- Verify Employment: Confirm job status and income
Use our Tenant Screening Score Calculator to help evaluate applicants.
Fair Housing Compliance
When processing rental applications, remember that you cannot discriminate based on:
- Race or color
- National origin
- Religion
- Sex or gender
- Familial status
- Disability
Many states and localities have additional protected classes. Apply the same screening criteria to all applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
A comprehensive rental application should include: personal information (name, SSN, DOB), current and previous addresses, employment and income verification, references (personal and landlord), emergency contacts, vehicle information, and authorization for background/credit checks.
Yes, landlords can charge application fees in most states to cover the cost of credit and background checks. Some states have limits on fees (California caps at $62.02 for 2024). The fee should cover actual screening costs and is typically non-refundable.
Landlords can ask about rental history, income, employment, credit, criminal background (with limitations), and references. They cannot ask about race, religion, national origin, familial status, disability, sex, or other protected classes under Fair Housing laws.
Most rental applications are processed within 1-3 business days. Credit checks are instant, while employment and landlord reference verification may take 1-2 days. Background checks typically complete within 24-48 hours.
Yes, landlords can deny applications for legitimate reasons including: insufficient income (typically requiring 2-3x monthly rent), poor credit history, negative rental references, criminal history (with limitations), or incomplete/inaccurate information. Denials cannot be based on protected class status.
Quick Facts
- Time: 5-10 minutes
- Format: PDF & Word
- Cost: Free
- Updated: 2025
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