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Rental Application Form Template

Comprehensive application form for prospective tenants. Fill in all fields and save as PDF when complete.

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Personal Information
Applicant details
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Rental Property Details
Property you are applying for
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Residential History
Previous addresses for the past 3 years
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Employment & Income
Current and previous employment
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References
Personal and emergency contact references
ⓘPlease provide at least two references who are not related to you.
🚨 Emergency Contact
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Authorization & Signature
Consent and applicant certification
⚠By signing below, you authorize the landlord/property manager to verify the information provided, including running a credit check and contacting references.

What should a rental application include?

A rental application gives you the information you need to decide whether an applicant can afford the rent and is likely to look after the property. A complete application usually covers:

  • Identity and contact details for every adult who will live in the unit
  • Current and previous addresses, with contact details for past landlords
  • Employer, position, and monthly income
  • Personal or professional references
  • Written consent to a credit and background check
  • Number of occupants, pets, and vehicles

How to review applications fairly

Set your screening criteria before you advertise, write them down, and apply them to every applicant in the order applications arrive. Consistent criteria are the simplest way to comply with the federal Fair Housing Act, which bans discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability. Many states and cities add further protected classes, such as source of income. Learn more in Fair Housing Compliance.

  1. Verify income. A common guideline is monthly income of about three times the rent. Check it with the Rent-to-Income Ratio Calculator.
  2. Check rental history. Contact previous landlords, or send the Tenant Reference Letter Template.
  3. Run screening. With the applicant’s written consent, check credit, criminal, and eviction records. See the Tenant Screening Step-by-Step Guide.
  4. Decide and document. Record why each application was approved or denied. If you deny an applicant because of information in a credit report, federal law requires you to send an adverse action notice.

Frequently asked questions

Can I charge an application fee?

In most states, yes. Some states cap the fee or require it to cover only the actual cost of screening, so check your state’s rules before setting the amount.

Should I keep denied applications?

Yes. Keep applications and the reasons for each decision, including denials, so you can show that every applicant was measured against the same criteria if a complaint is ever filed.

Can applicants apply online?

Yes. Online applications are faster for applicants and keep documents, consent, and screening results in one place. See the Rental Applications Step-by-Step Guide.

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