When you’re a landlord, managing your own property or properties is a way to keep your costs low, and it allows you to turn a larger profit from your rental. However, over time you may start considering the option of hiring a property manager to take over for you – whether it’s due to time constraints, a desire to focus on other projects, or simply a feeling that you’ve taken on too many investment properties to do it all on your own. Regardless of the reasoning, you should think through your decision carefully, and part of doing that is understanding what a property manager offers you.

What Do Property Managers Bring to the Table?

• Fast response time to prospective tenants – if you’ve got another job and maintain your rental in your spare time, you may not be able to get back to people as quickly as you need to. There are tons of rentals on the market, pretty much at all times. If you don’t contact someone quickly while they’re waiting for information, someone else might just snatch them up.
• A higher level of objectivity when dealing with difficult tenants – if there is an issue, it’s easier to take it personally when it’s your property. After all, you’re the one that has to come up with the cash if your tenant fails to pay their rent on time, for example. But working with a property manager means that the issue can be dealt with in a way that avoids rash actions that may get you sued!
• Experience with maintenance – landlords have the tendency to try and do all property maintenance themselves, and that isn’t always a good thing. You may also find yourself in a blind panic when a tenant mentions that there’s been a flood, and lose the ability to make rational decisions with regards to outsourcing the repairs. A property manager may be better suited to make a calm, logical decision in moments that require quick, decisive action.
• Useful advice – you might think you know it all, but as real estate professionals, property managers (at least some of them!) may have the leg up when it comes to tenant screening, pricing a rental, and more!

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When setting up your online rental application as a property manager or landlord in California, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the requirements. Certainly, there is information that you need your tenants to supply before you’ll consider their applications–but are there also questions that, by law, you have to ask?

Typical Rental Application Questions

Well, to answer that question, let’s take a look at the information that you are sure to include. The California Department of Consumer Affairs tells tenants to expect the following questions on their rental applications:

1. Are you currently employed?
2. What is your income?
3. Can you provide the contact information of current/past employers (supply it)?
4. Can you provide references from past landlords (supply contact information)?
5. Can you provide additional character references (supply contact information)?
6. Can you confirm your identify with your Social Security Number and driver’s license number?
7. Will you allow us to run a credit report?

California Rental Application Dos and Dont’s

According to California law, there are no set requirements for questions that you must ask a tenant on their application to rent. However, there are some guidelines set as to what you cannot ask when determining their candidacy to rent your property.

You cannot ask about race, religion, disabilities, marital status, sexual orientation, or familial status. It is considered discrimination to deny someone tenancy for any of these reasons. It is also not advisable to ask about whether a family has children under 18 that will be living with them, as refusing to rent to them for this reason is also discrimination.

While it is not law, if you intend to request an application-screening fee from prospective tenants, mentioning this on the application is beneficial. Having all individuals acknowledge in writing that they are willing to cover these costs can ensure that there is no dispute during the process. By law, you can only request your exact screening and processing costs while you consider the potential tenant’s eligibility.

State Differences for Rental Application Requirements

There are no national rules that dictate what can and cannot be included on a rental application. If you have been a property manager in another state, it is wise to bring yourself up to date on the requirements of where you’re renting now.

Sign-up for RentApp today and begin accepting California rental applications online, for free!  Start processing more applications faster.  You can even collect application fees by credit card and easily screen your prospective California renters.  Learn more today.

Updated 4/02/2013

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When setting up your online rental application as a property manager or landlord in Florida, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the requirements. What kind of questions should you ask on the application? What questions are you not permitted to ask? While it varies for every state, the state of Florida has a few specific rules to follow when preparing a rental application.

Why Are There Questions You Can’t Ask?

Now, you might be asking why there are questions that aren’t acceptable to ask. Simply put, asking certain questions on a rental application is a form of discrimination. If an applicant feels they are being discriminated against, they can file a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations. In fact, housing is one of the most common areas complained about to the FCHR. How do you avoid this? Don’t worry, it’s simple.

Rental Application Questions in Florida – The Bad

When you’re preparing your online rental application, be sure to avoid questions that can be considered discriminatory. Asking questions that apply to any of the following categories is inappropriate:

1. Race
2. Gender
3. Sexual Orientation
4. Relationship Status
5. Ethnicity or Country of Origin
6. Ability

You should also know that, unless your community is age specific (such as a senior community), you cannot deny applicants who have children under 18, although you may ask for ages of potential residents.

Rental Application Questions – The Good

It’s important to make sure your potential tenant understands the entire application process. Asking for basic information on a rental application is perfectly fine and you can do so using the RentApp tool so tenants can apply online. References are often key, as you’ll be able to ask about potential tenants fairly. Fellow property owners and employers are some of the most common references.

Another area to ask about is employment history and income, as this directly pertains to the tenant’s ability to pay their rent. If you intend to do a credit check, be sure to inform them of this. This will also help provide information about their financial security.

Ultimately, your questions can be thorough, but must be unbiased in regards to a tenant’s physical characteristics. Keeping these regulations in mind can make your tenant selection process easier and provide you with residents who are perfect for your property.

Sign-up for RentApp today and begin accepting Florida rental applications online, for free!  Start processing more applications faster.  You can even collect application fees by credit card and easily screen your prospective Florida renters.  Learn more today.

Updated 4/02/2013

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There are various times throughout the course of a lease that you should conduct a fairly thorough inspection of your rental property. The goal is to ensure that everything is in working order, identify things that you need to repair, and to generally see that the property is being well cared for. If you have a tenant living in the property long-term, then once or twice a year should be sufficient for an inspection. In addition, you should do an inspection with a new tenant before they move in, and another one when they move out.

It is important to know what to look for when conducting an inspection at your investment property:

• Check all of the big things – check that all appliances, the furnace, the air conditioning unit, etc. are in working order. These are costly things to repair if there’s an issue, so it’s better to identify them early on. Not all tenants will be familiar with the signs when one of these major household items begins to fail, so they may not notify you of a problem until it’s too late and the item needs a major repair, or even replacing.
• Check the plumbing – turn on all of the taps in the home, and look at the pipes underneath (where applicable) to ensure that there are no identifiable leaks. While doing this, you will also be able to check on the water pressure and see if water is effectively draining. You should also flush the toilets and be on the lookout for similar issues there.
• Check the windows and windowsills – look for cracks, signs of condensation, and signs of water damage. That way you can ensure that the windows are still well sealed, and keeping out the elements!
• Check for cracks in the foundation – look outside the home along the foundation (if it’s a free-standing property), as well as inside in the basement. Not all cracks signify bad things, but it’s better to be aware of them and keep an eye out for them. If you notice a crack and you have concerns about it, you can always ask your tenant to keep their eyes open for any leaks in adverse weather conditions.
• Keep your eyes open for signs of poor tenant care – you don’t need to walk into the property ready to start chastising your tenant. But, you should be on the lookout for signs that tenants are not doing their part. If it’s a newer tenant, or you’ve never had a history of issues with them, then simply give them the benefit of the doubt that they just aren’t familiar with how to properly care for whatever the item is. If you notice that the filter in the furnace is too full and requires changing, show them how to do it, and remind them to check it at regular intervals.

When conducting your property inspections, it is a good idea to have the tenant present. After all, they can provide valuable insight into how everything is operating within the property, and you can educate them as necessary. You don’t have the right as a landlord to simply enter the property for an inspection at will, as by law you can only do so for necessary maintenance. But, even with the tenant’s permission to enter when they aren’t home for your inspection, consider making an appointment for a time you know they’ll be present!

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Check out how RentApp has helped Nick Wyma of Wyma Properties improve his property management business!

RentApp has been a huge relief to my job.

I had been looking for a service like RentApp for a little while now. Paper applications seemed like the least effective way of renting out a place. When I found RentApp, I was excited for the possibilities that it had. I received quick feedback from my rep, Jake, and after a couple days we were up and running.

What I hate about traditional applications.

1. Unreadable chicken scratch and hieroglyphics
2. Stacks and stacks of papers
3. Incomplete applications that require additional follow up to get the information
4. Having to send a carrier pigeon to send out an application.
5. What? You have a application fee? I’ve never heard of such a thing before…

What I love about RentApp.

1. It’s typed text, no more bad handwriting.
2. It’s paperless…enough said
3. No more unnecessary appointments to receive an application only to realize they didn’t actually fill it out. You can select what you want required on the form so that they cannot move forward without inputting the information.
4. It’s accessible everywhere. I don’t have to email, fax, snail mail, or drop off applications anymore. The application can be accessed from any web device. It also allows me to view the application from wherever I am working from that day.
5. Application Fees. No longer do I have to fight or ‘remind’ people that we do in fact have an application fee. This is now taken care of online and even allows for people to pay with their card.
6. Oh ya, and it’s paperless… and I can view it where ever I am. Did I say that already?

I’m sure that we will find more great time saving opportunities the more we use RentApp in the future. Thanks RentApp!

Nick Wyma
Wyma Properties, Inc.

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The rental application process can be long and frustrating for both the property manager and the applicant. A large amount of paperwork must be filled out, hours must be spent checking references, employment records and credit histories, and money must be spent to maintain all the programs that are needed to complete the process.

Computers, tablets and smartphones are the wave of the future. More than half of the United States population currently owns a smartphone and that number is likely to increase dramatically within the next few years. Property managers should take advantage of the rising popularity in these types of technologies by using an online application that allows potential renters to complete the screening process without having to touch a piece of paper.

Simple Rental Application Online: How it Benefits Property Managers

As a property manager, you already have a large amount of paperwork to fill out on a daily basis. Your desk is most likely filled with rent receipts, income reports and maintenance invoices. Rental applications will just add to an already messy office.

Online rental applications take all the paperwork out of the process. Prospective tenants just need to fill out an application online and the website will take care of everything for you. You will no longer have piles and piles of rental applications sitting on your desk that need to be processed.

Reduce Your Costs

One of the main benefits that property managers notice when using a simple rental application online is the reduction in overhead costs.

Many third party background check companies charge outrageous monthly fees on top of the application fees. These fees can often cost property managers thousands of dollars per year, even if they dont’s use their services.

Online rental application websites significantly reduce the costs associated with running background checks on applicants. Applicants are only charged for the processing fees, saving the property management company thousands of dollars in membership fees.

RentApp: The Perfect Choice

RentApp’s simple rental application is the perfect solution for any property manager. The entire process is based online, credit and debit cards are taken for payment directly through the website (optional) and managers can include a link to the application page from their advertisements.

RentApp online applications is also free to use. Property managers are never charged a monthly membership fee, making it easy to streamline costs that are associated with screening applicants.

Resident screening and credit card application fee processing are optional add-on features in RentApp.

Sign-up for RentApp today!

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In any business, time is money. Therefore, why are you forcing potential tenants to spend more time than they have to filling out a rental application? The use of a rental application pdf is not the same thing as using a purely online system of processing rental applications. Here are some reasons why you need to go with a completely online application system.

Applicants Can Do Everything In One Place

Applicants want to get their applications in as soon as possible. If it is possible to enter all of their information on a rental application pdf, why does the application then need to be printed out only to be signed and mailed to a rental office? Allowing applicants to electronically sign and send an application streamlines the entire process.

All Applications Get Sent To The Same Place

It makes it a lot easier to process applications when they are all in one place. If you have any questions about a particular application, it is easier to contact the applicant when you can easily call up an application for quick reference. Timely communication with an applicant can be the difference between getting that person to rent your apartment and it sitting vacant for another month.

Save Money

The most important reason to never force an applicant to print out an application again is to cut down on costs. You don’t need as much ink, the fax machine can be dumped and there is no need to spend money on paper because there are no paper applications. An electronic means of applying for your apartments could even eliminate the need for a phone line. This is because all communication can happen via email in some cases.

Fewer People Are Needed To Handle The Rental Application

There is no need for an office manager to get the application, send it to a supervisor and then possibly have another person handle the application before it is approved or denied. Instead, an electronic system can make it much easier and faster to determine if an application should be approved or not. This eliminates confusion while also saving money.

In the 21st century, everything should be done electronically if possible. It makes it easier to organize applications, saves money on supplies and requires fewer people to handle the application. These are all benefits that any rental office or property manager can quickly learn to live with.

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As a new landlord, you may not realize the importance of getting a background check on a prospective tenant. A rental property is an investment that can pay your mortgage if you rent it to a desirable and responsible person. Using tenant screening services is a reliable way to find someone who respects your property and pays the rent on time. Even if you think that you are a good judge of character based on first impressions, you can benefit from the expertise of professionals to help you make a good decision.

What a Tenant May Conceal
Your primary concerns as a landlord are to find a tenant who agrees to preserve your property and to pay you for the use of it. Your obligations as a responsible landlord are to present the property in good repair when you let it out for lease or rent, to make sure to repair anything that breaks down and to allow your tenants the quiet enjoyment of a rented home. In return, you expect a prospective tenant to provide factual information about personal history items such as these:

• previous physical and email addresses
• family size

As a responsible landlord, you can use such information to narrow your list of potential tenants. However, there are other pieces of information that are more valuable. Negative facts that reflect poorly on a person are not likely to come forward in your tenant interview, and that is the main reason that you need to use tenant screening services to find out about these:

• illegal or criminal activity
• aliases 
• credit history
• participation in illegal activities

You may have heard the adage that warns against marrying in haste with the subsequent possibility of repenting in leisure. If you select a tenant who is not suitable, you are likely to have the sad experience of dealing with the consequences. Missed rental payments and damage to property are common problems that happen in rental agreements, and the security deposit that you require may not cover all of your losses.

Avoid Problems Later
Many jurisdictions make it difficult for a landlord to evict a tenant, and there are usually expenses associated with it. You may have to provide written notices, hire a sheriff or other official to deliver it in person and wait for the process to produce an eviction notice. Make a wise decision to eliminate undesirable candidates with tenant screening services so that you do not have to take legal action later.

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These days, it is rare to complete applications by paper. If you are are a property manager, it may be a good idea to switch to a paperless application procedure. This would allow tenants to fill out forms electronically, submit them electronically and hear back about the application without having to use a single sheet of paper. Here are 4 reasons why it may be a good idea to go paperless.

Cutting Down On Paper Saves Money

Allowing tenants to submit their free rental application form online means that no paper is required to complete the application process. This saves money because your office won’t have a need to purchase paper, ink for a copier or pens to fill out the office portion of the application. Since all communications are done through email, it may be possible to eliminate a phone line from the office as well.

It’s Easier To Keep Track Of Electronic Submissions

Free rental application forms that are sent to your office by email can be easily sorted and kept track of. When you get an application by paper, it is easy for it to be put in the wrong folder, left on the copier or possibly thrown out by accident. A lost application can annoy a potential tenant and make you look bad.

Electronic Submissions Don’t Require Neat Handwriting

An electronic submission will not be denied because it is too hard to read. If an applicant has bad handwriting, it may be easier to submit a copy of an application electronically. Additionally, it may be beneficial for an applicant who needs more room to properly fill out the application to be able to attach files instead of writing on the back of the application.

Tenants Can Keep A Copy Of Their Application For Future Reference

If a tenant has their application approved, there is still information on the application that may be relevant later. For example, a tenant may have an occupant in the apartment who wasn’t listed on the application. If both parties have a copy of the application, it is easier to verify that the tenant lied on the application and therefore violated their lease.

Property managers should embrace the concept of going digital. It allows you to keep track of multiple submissions, makes the application easier to read and will save the office money. Anyone who applies to live in your apartments will appreciate the fact that they can apply online from wherever they happen to be.

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Rental applications can be somewhat of a hassle to deal with sometimes, especially if you are new to the rental market. California house rental applications can be even tougher when you consider that California has a list of specific rental application rules that are unique to their state only, mainly certain questions you can and can’t ask a perspective tenant. Don’t worry though, as this article will help you sift through the rental application process for California and get you heading in the right direction.

What is a California Rental Application Important?

Rental applications in any state are designed to serve as a contract between the lessor (owner) and the lessee (renter). California is no different, as it has set up its rental contracts specifically for their state. Here are some other reasons why California house rental applications are important.

• They protect landlords and property managers.
• They help to screen prospective tenants in California.
• The applications can be used by California landlords, rental property owners, and real estate owners to help determine whether a tenant is a good fit for a perspective property (under law).
• They provide references and contact numbers.

What is Included?

Included in the California house rental application is a number of basic questions and information points, all of which are important for a lessor (owner). Some of these will include:

• Tenant Information (SSN, Name, License Number, Phone Number, etc.)
• Information Regarding Past Tenancy
• Employment History Information
• Credit History and Financial History
• Proper Vehicle Info (if applicable)
• References
• Names of Others That Will be Living in the Space

Do it All Online!

You have a bit of basic information regarding the California house rental application process and what it involves, now you need a couple of pointers on how to make sure everything is a simple as possible for you. Make sure you have all the relevant and asked for information on your rental application before you turn it in. This will of course include your name, SSN and everything else mentioned above. Make sure no spaces are blank, otherwise it will get sent back to you and more time will be wasted.

Perhaps the best thing to do, especially in the technological advanced world we live in today, is to complete this process all online. Both landlords and property managers should post their applications online, and perspective renters should be able to fill everything out online on a secure website. This eliminates time and paper, and makes the entire process smoother and easier to manage.

When Property Managers and companies put their rental applications online it makes the entire process easier to deal with and helps save the environment.

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