What is a Rental Application? & Why?

Learn what a rental application is and why it's essential in the leasing process. Understand the key components and how it protects both landlords and tenants in securing rental agreements.

You can’t just quickly look at how much money someone says they make on a rental application and say it’s okay. You need to carefully check and verify all the details they give you. This means looking at everything on the application form. Make sure you know what to include on a good application form and how to check it properly.

Here are a few things that you should know about a rental application and why it’s important.

A rental application form

What is a Rental Application? 

A rental application is a form that someone fills out when they want to rent a place to live. It asks for information like their name, address, job, income, and references. The landlord uses this information to decide if they want to rent the place to that person. Different places may ask for different things on an application. But generally, you’ll need to show things like how much money you make, where you’ve lived before, and some personal details for a background check.

How Fast Can It Be Approved?

Imagine you’ve just applied to rent a cosy apartment in the city. After submitting your application online, you eagerly await approval so you can move in as soon as possible. Generally, you might expect to receive a decision within a few hours to a few days. However, the actual time it takes can vary depending on several factors.

business professionals collaborating on a tablet

Why Do You Need It?

You’ll need to:

  • Landlords use it to see if you’re a good match for their place by looking at your renting history, job, income, and references.
  • You give personal details like your contact info and ID to make sure you’re really you.
  • Landlords ask for accurate info to prevent any tricks or false details.
  • The rental application includes legal stuff required by laws, so everyone knows what’s expected.

Who Needs to Fill out the Form?

It’s not just the people paying rent who have to fill out the rental application form. Every grown-up who will live in the rental place, and sometimes even those who won’t live there, needs to fill it out. This question often pops up when more than one person will live there or when someone else is helping with the lease. If someone is co-signing the lease but won’t live there, they should still fill out a rental application.

Here are some situations where you’ll need to sign forms:

1. Parents living with college-age kids

2. Parents co-signing for college kids

3. Parents with young kids

4. Parents with grown-up kids

5. One working person out of two tenants

6. Changing roommates

rental application

What is the Purpose of Filling This Form?

Before you fill out an application, you can practise with a sample form. If you need help or have questions about the form or property, you can contact Ourvillas.

  • When you fill out a form, you’re showing landlords you’re interested in their property. They’ll then contact you about the next steps. Filling out forms for different places helps you keep track of which ones you like.
  • The rental application form asks for details like your name, contact info, job status, and more. Giving this info lets landlords learn about you and your background.
  • You might need to mention any past criminal or credit issues. This helps landlords check your background quickly. By filling out the rental application form, you’re giving them permission to do these checks.
  • Landlords use the info you provide to decide if you’re a good fit for their property. They might contact your past landlords or employers to learn more about you.
  • Everyone who lives in the property needs to fill out a rental application form. This helps landlords know who’s living there and who’s responsible. If any issues come up, they’ll know who to talk to.
Someone handing the keys

How to Fill Out A Rental Application

Here’s how to fill out easily:

  • Share your email and phone number. Sometimes, they might want an emergency contact too.
  • This helps them check your credit and background. Some places let you do this online safely.
  • Use your driver’s licence or state ID to prove who you are. They might make a copy if you’re filling out the form in person.
  • They’ll want to know where you lived before if you paid rent on time, and if you caused any big problems.
  • Give details about your job and how much you make. You might need to provide proof like pay stubs or tax returns.
  • Give names of people who can say good things about you, like past landlords or bosses.

Make Renting in Phuket Easier With Ourvillas

The first thing to do when you want to rent a place is to fill out a form correctly. Ourvillas helps renters do this online, making it quick and easy to share rental info with landlords. This speeds up the process of applying for a rental. Find out how ourvillas can help renters save money on application fees with a Renter Profile. Also, learn what landlords want to see in a tenant’s rental history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to fill out a rental application?

Landlords use rental applications to learn about potential tenants. They want to make sure you’ll be a good tenant who pays rent on time and takes care of the property.

What information do I need to provide on a rental application?

You’ll need to give your personal information, like your name, phone number, and address. You might also need to provide details about your job, income, and references.

What happens after I submit a rental application?

After you submit a rental application, the landlord will review it. They might check your references or do a background check. If everything looks good, they’ll contact you about signing a lease.

Can I apply for more than one rental property?

Yes, you can apply for multiple rental properties by filling out separate applications for each one. This way, you can have options and choose the best place for you to live.