Most landlords use a rental application to screen potential tenants. The goal is to select tenants who are likely to pay rent on time, keep the unit in good condition and not cause problems. Documenting the applicants' information also protects you from claims of discrimination from rejected tenants.

If you’re a prospective tenant, use this form to preview the kinds of information you’ll probably be asked to provide.

Important to Know

If you’re the landlord:

• verify the information you receive on the form
• be sure to obtain a signature before performing a credit check
• make sure you know how discrimination laws work

If you’re a prospective tenant in a competitive market, be prepared to answer these questions when you apply to rent a unit, or bring a filled-out application with you.

“Nolo helps lay people perform legal tasks without the aid—or fees—of lawyers.”-USA Today

“The nation’s largest publisher of self-help legal books and software.”-The Wall Street Journal