Moving into the 21st century. I have been using online applications for about a year now and will never go back to paper. All phone calls go straight to voicemail that directs them to my website to fill out an application. My application is here

www.cognitoforms.com/FSR6/APARTMENTAPPLICATION

Feel free to check it out and even fill one out as more questions pop up depending on the answers given and let me know if there is anything I should add.

Bob (NY)

I wish I had your nerve. You know -- to jump into the 21st century.

I am about as dumb as a box of rocks when it comes to this tech stuff.

Back in the day (early 70’s) I was playing around with languages (COBAL AND FORTRAN) and today I can’t even find the LRS. Computer joke old timers will understand.

You said to feel free to write our comments so following are mine.

No harm, disrespect, put down intended. Just a hillbilly’s observations.

Unless you get additional information on applicants I would include also asking for middle name and maiden name. Reason I say this -- if we go onto the state website (Missouri case,net site) to check on applicants if we use a common name we may get 30 pages of listings. But if we have a middle name we may narrow it down to only 8 or 10 people. Also, later, if we take them to small claims court the court paper work requires complete names.

You may already have this somewhere but where you ask for apartment interested in you might say “address” of apartment interested in or some such wording. A guy like me would say “I am interested in the blue apartment”.

Under personal references you have a little red star after “Name”. Some yes some no. You might consider putting the red star after all of them. Small detail but you ask for comments.

You might have a comment such as * = required field.

You ask for Landlords name and information a couple of times then it states “bank name”.

Are you asking for name of landlord’s bank of applicant’s bank name? Confusing to this hillbilly.

A biggie to me. Where you are asking them to sign to give you permission to run credit and use SS# you might consider saying something to the tune of - - We give Landlord permission BEFORE, DURING and AFTER tenancy to … (This wording came from Debbie up in Sp'fld IL many years ago. Deb, if you are reading this just want to say "HI". Still remember you. Your girls must be fine young ladies by now.

Looks like a good form. Sounds easy. I would like to try it.

Thanks for posting.

I am also interested in adopting the online application and love the form you have developed.

If this is for an apartment building why not have the Building name/address on the form-

Down by the Persons who will occupy the Apartment, add All occupants over 18 must submit an application.

This application is for multiple apartment buildings/locations that's why I don't have the address or minimum income listed on it.

Having over 100 rentals, I don't trust Online Applications. Why? Because it allows the applicant to have "HELP" filling them out. Setting up phony landlords and getting coaching on what the "right" answers should be.

With ink and pen on paper, you can see the flow of ink and if the application was filled out at one time or in sections. The same person has to fill everything out by their hand. Plus if they fill out the application at the property, you can see if they are getting help or using their cell phone to call of information.

Bob;

Do you have a separate website or just use the one you posted (Cognito forms)?

Is there a monthly charge for this?

I only have three SFH rentals, but I do like the look and would rather have something filled out online before I show the house.

Patrick I have a separate website but the cognito forms is free for what I am using at the moment or you can upgrade and get additional features.

Landlord of the flies

Sorry should have read you entire post before responding.

I find it less hand holding that’s my main reason for doing this I got so many incomplete applications using paper. I still get a lot that list no income or assistance.I now make them fill out an application before I show them an apartment or even spend to much time talking to them so I know if they don’t qualify before I waste my time.This form also allows you to collect a fee from them.

Bob, in your "Please Note" section you might want to make GUEST plural - "GUESTS". You might also want to add "ANIMALS".

Even if you don't rent with pets, you might want to find out what types of pets/animals that they own and will be on your property.