A thorough rental property application is crucial to the tenant screening process. This provides landlords and property managers with all the information necessary to properly evaluate prospective candidates and determine who would be a suitable fit for the unit. As a first-time landlord, it can be difficult knowing what to include on the form to ensure you get a complete picture of each applicant. Here’s an overview of the template you should use to increase your chances of a successful tenancy.

Basic Components Your Form Should Address

Personal Details

Designate a section where the applicant can give you their full name, phone number, email address, and driver’s license number, as well as the names of any co-renters they’ll be living with. If you require a background and credit check, you’ll also need their Social Security number. Ask for the make, model, and license plate number for all vehicles that will be parked on the property and if they own pets.

Residence Information

You need to know about an applicant’s past tenant experiences, as this provides a good idea of how you can expect them to behave when it comes to paying rent and taking care of the rental property. Request their current and former addresses, contact information for previous landlords, duration of residency, and reasons for moving out. Also, find out if they’ve ever faced eviction.

Employment History

Verifying an applicant’s employment and financial stability will let you know if they have the funds available to comfortably afford the rent each month. By confirming they have a job and reviewing their pay stubs, you can establish whether they’re likely to be reliable with payment.

Authorization for Background & Credit Checks

Applicants must give landlords written consent to run a background and credit check.  If you require these, ask for authorization on the application. This can be a good way to weed out anyone who might cause trouble or has a problem being financially responsible.

Topics to Avoid 

The Federal Fair Housing Act and state laws make it illegal for landlords to include any questions on a rental application that could be considered discriminatory. To ensure all applicants are treated equally, you're prohibited from asking about race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, familial status, sexual orientation, age, or marital status.

If you’re ready to become a landlord, trust the professionals at Classic Maui Properties to guide you through the screening process and help fill your vacancies with quality tenants. They'll assist with creating a detailed rental property application that allows you to vet potential candidates with confidence. Offering more than 40 years of experience, this Pukalani, HI-based company is also qualified to provide a wide range of property management solutions. Call (808) 878-1001 to schedule a meeting, or visit them online to learn more about their real estate services.