Application rental property pdf

In Washington, D. Some states also have requirements related to fees, the screening process itself, and falsifying information on the application, all of which are discussed below.

Some states set a cap on how much this fee can be. Landlords are not required to charge a rental application form fee, but most states allow them to collect a rental application fee, though this varies from state to state. Interestingly, application fees are not refundable in at least 34 states, and this is not addressed at the state level in several others, so be sure to confirm whether fees are refundable in your area or not.

There are also few limits on what a landlord is allowed to charge for an application fee; however, no matter what amount is charged, it must be the same fee for ALL applicants, regardless of race, sex, national origin, disability, color, religion, or family status. States or municipalities may have additional protected classes this applies to, as noted in the state-by-state anti-discrimination chart above. In Colorado, Minnesota, and Washington, landlords can only charge the actual amount spent on the screening process.

Massachusetts and Vermont do not allow landlords to charge application fees. Furthermore, New York landlords must refund the application fee if tenants provide the landlord with a criminal background or credit report that was done within the past 30 days. In addition, landlords must give a receipt for the application fee to the prospective tenant, and keep records of application fees for two years.

Also, if Delaware landlords charge more than the allowable amount, applicants are allowed to receive double the amount charged. In Texas, landlords may charge a non-refundable application fee to cover screening costs plus a refundable application deposit, which would be returned if the application is denied.

In Virginia, landlords must refund excess application fees within days of rejecting the application. This usually involves a thorough review of the rental application form, and the landlord typically performs the following steps:. Financial red flags for landlords typically include things like bankruptcies, financial judgments, accounts sent to collections, foreclosures, and repossessions. A good landlord will make a rental decision only after reviewing all of the relevant facts and information uncovered through their screening process.

The following are examples of screening practices that would be prohibited under the Federal Fair Housing Act:. The screening process must be the same for all applicants, regardless of who they are.

Otherwise, it may appear that the landlord is discriminating against certain tenants. For example, asking black applicants to fill out a different rental application form than white applicants, requiring single applicants to have a higher credit score than married applicants, or placing stricter requirements on the employment history of non-white applicants are all forms of discrimination during the screening process.

In Colorado, landlords may not use rental or credit history that is more than seven years old to make a determination. The exceptions to this are methamphetamine production convictions, sex offender registration, and the exceptions outlined in federal law regarding drug trafficking and production. In Minnesota and Utah, landlords who accept application fees must tell tenants the criteria they use for the screening process.

In Texas , landlords must provide prospective tenants with a written explanation of the selection criteria when the rental application is given to the tenant. In Washington, landlords must notify prospective tenants up front what types of information will be used for screening purposes, how that information will be obtained, and what would be the criteria for a denial. In Wisconsin, landlords must allow tenants to provide their own credit or criminal background reports if they are less than 30 days old.

Tenants have a responsibility to be honest and truthful in completing a rental application. In some states, as shown below, this could mean losing the apartment or even serving jail time. In Arizona , a tenant who puts false or misleading information on the rental application regarding:. Landlords can still evict tenants over false information regarding criminal and eviction history, even if the tenant corrects the information within ten days. In Alabama, tenants who have intentionally put false or misleading information on the rental application can be evicted by their landlords, even if they correct the information later.

In Kansas, tenants who falsify information on their rental application may owe fines or face jail time. In Texas , tenants could have their applications denied for providing false information.

And several states add other protections, such as sexual orientation. For more articles, tips and trends, visit our Rentals Resource Center.

Rental Property Calculator. Renewing a Lease With Your Tenant. This browser is no longer supported. Please switch to a supported browser or download one of our Mobile Apps. See Mobile Apps. Menu subnav-close Search subnav-close. Rentals Resource Center. Set up applications for free. Want more landlord tips and articles? Sign up for our monthly newsletter: Email address.

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Rental Application Read Next. You may also have to fill out lease application templates to complete the process. Stay honest in providing information. It is vital to maintain truthful in whatever you say and write relevant to the rental application.

Most rent postings from landlords and real estate agents are seen on the web. It is easy to come across a rental application in PDF online, but not so easy to actually apply. In this regard, as a tenant, here are the pros and cons of submitting such documents online: Pros: It is convenient for working individuals. A variety of rent postings can be found.

When a renter searches for available rentals or residential leases, a number of results provides the information a renter needs. Low offers of lease in real estate is evident. Cons: You are at risk of getting scammed. It is vital to verify the authenticity of the rent postings due to the rampant online scams existing on the web. Know that you can make use of any template on this website in order to create an effective rental application.

These formats are available for you to refer to and to use when you make your rental application. Available in.