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A Florida rental/lease application form is a simple document that landowners utilize to select appropriate rental applicants for their lease agreement. This form will be drafted in line with the government Fair Housing Act. Therefore, any private inquiries, like those referring to one's identity or religion, are avoided. It is written in accordance with fair housing laws.
Application Fee - There are no limitations in regards to the sum a property manager might charge as an application fee to screen prospective candidates (no law).
Initial Deposit - There is no limit to the initial deposit landowners can charge the prospective tenant (no law).
Tenants that are difficult to live with might generate problems for their neighbors and result in costly evictions if they do not pay their rent. Tenant horror stories abound, but many of them could have been averted if the landlord had adequately checked rental candidates in advance. Many landlords believe they can trust their gut instincts, yet gut sentiments about a potential tenant are rarely indicative of how they would act. A rigorous tenant screening process that includes a credit report, criminal background check, and eviction history is critical for a small landlord searching for a sustainable and stable passive revenue source.
So with regards to the foregoing, landowners must get thorough information about prospective candidates through the following screening process:
Applicants financial record
Getting a complete credit report of the applicant's financial history is important for the majority of landowners. The financial statement is an important tool that cannot be overlooked because it helps the landowner get precise information about the applicant's financial ability. In other words, it helps the landlord know if the applicant is capable of paying the rent. Another reason why it is important to get the applicant's financial report is that it also helps to determine if the applicant will be timely in the payment of rent.
Protection of property and neighborhood.
A thorough applicant screening process must include a criminal background check. Taking into account that criminal convictions are not exactly undeniable, confirm your rental candidate's criminal history before granting them approval. Though not all criminal indictments are critical, for instance, a candidate might have a minor petty criminal offense on their record or a criminal conviction from quite a long while back that you're willing to disregard. Survey criminal records depending on the situation to try not to lease or put your candidate's property or the neighborhood in danger.
Avoid the high cost of unnecessary eviction.
The removal of a tenant at times involves a tedious, lengthy and expensive process, which no landowner wishes to even consider thinking about. Hence, screening serves as a useful tool in choosing a client with a higher prospect of maintaining the lease for a long time.
A thorough Tenant Screening should contain the following:
The applicant’s complete information
Criminal records, if any.
Viable References
Employment history
Financial history and credit reports
Note: The applicant screening process should be consistent with the fair housing act 42 U.S.C. 3601 which prohibits discrimination by landlords and real estate businesses, as well as other entities against an individual as a result of their race, sex, color, national origin, gender e.t.c.
Once an individual passes the initial rental application screening process, you can then extend a lease to have them sign and pay the initial fees.