A rental application form helps landlords collect key details from someone who wants to rent their property. It usually asks for contact information, rental history, employment or income details, references, and consent for tenant screening.

The tenant candidate usually fills out the rental application. If more than one adult will live in the unit, the landlord may ask each person to complete their own application.

No. A rental application is used before approval to collect and review applicant information. A lease is signed after approval and sets out the terms of the tenancy. Once an applicant is approved, landlords can create and sign the lease online with eLease where available.

Learn more about the difference between prescreening and rental applications.

Landlords can usually ask for information that helps them assess the application, such as contact details, rental history, employment and income information, references, and consent for screening or credit checks.

A rental application should include the details a landlord needs to review the applicant, such as contact information, rental history, employment and income details, references, and consent for screening or credit checks.

Yes, if they have the applicant’s consent. Many landlords use the rental application as part of the tenant screening process, which may include a credit check, income verification and reference checks.

With SingleKey’s Tenant Report, landlords can choose an Equifax, TransUnion or Dual Credit Report and review credit information alongside income and employment details, references, public records, document checks and ID verification. This gives landlords a fuller view of the applicant before making a rental decision.

Rental applications are commonly used across Canada, but the rules can vary by province. Even when an application is not required, it can help landlords collect applicant details in a consistent way before moving to tenant screening.

After the application is submitted, the landlord usually reviews the details, checks references and verifies income if needed. The next step is often tenant screening, which can help verify credit, income, identity and background information before approval. Once the applicant is approved, the landlord can move on to creating and signing the lease.