Rental applications are forms used by landlords that prospective tenants are required to fill out during the rental process. It’s part of a landlord’s screening technique to help select tenants capable of paying rent on a timely basis and keeping the unit in good condition.

The idea, of course, is that rental property owners desire tenant longevity, and therefore use rental applications to look for a person who will pay the rent on time as well as stay in the unit for a long period thereby minimizing tenant turnover.

At the very least, rental applications should gather the following pertinent information from the prospective tenant.

1. Rental housing history (including evictions) and any criminal history
2. How many people will be living in the unit
3. Who is the closest relative that can be contacted in case of an emergency
4. Social security and driver’s license numbers
5. Source of income

It’s also important that the prospective tenant agree to supply the following additional information.

1. Two forms of identification you can copy and file credit checks – many credit agencies also perform checks on the prospective tenant’s criminal history.
2. Present and previous addresses where they have lived – it’s always smart to contact a prospective tenant’s previous landlords
3. Work references – call the employer listed on the application to make sure the prospective tenant does work there.

If you’re using a rental agency to handle tenant applications, make sure to ask for a copy of their rental application. You want to satisfy yourself that the rental agency holds to the same standards for tenant selection as you do.

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