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Free Template

Free rental application form

Use this free rental application PDF form to collect applicant details, rental history, employment information and references. When you're ready to take the next step, SingleKey can help you verify the applicant with tenant screening.

Free PDF template

Instant download

Used before tenant screening

Screen applicants before approval

For landlords, property managers and tenants

Use it to collect or complete rental application details

Preview the form

Download PDF
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BC rental application page 1 BC rental application page 2

This template includes:

  • Applicant contact details
  • Rental history
  • Employment/income info
  • References
  • Screening consent
  • Signature & date

LLooking for a province-specific rental application form?

Choose the rental application form that matches where your rental property is located.

Ontario rental application form

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BC rental application form

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Other province resources

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Use the rental application form to

person_outline

Collect applicant
details

home_work

Request rental
history

verified_user

Document screening
consent

payments

Collect income
details

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Keep applications
consistent

Rental application vs. lease agreement

A rental application is used before approval to collect and review applicant information, while a tenancy agreement is used after approval to set out the rental terms.

Rental application

Used before tenant screening to collect information and help the landlord make an informed decision.

  • Completed by the prospective tenant
  • Includes personal, rental, employment and reference details
  • Used to assess suitability and risk
  • Not a legal agreement

VS

Lease agreement

Used after approval to set out the rental terms and formalize the tenancy between the landlord and tenant.

  • Signed by landlord and tenant
  • Includes terms, rent, rules and responsibilities
  • Creates legal rights and obligations
  • Used to formalize the tenancy

What's included in the form?

Each section of the form collects a different part of the applicant’s background, from contact details to rental history, employment and references.

person_outline

Applicant information

Name, phone number, email and current address.

home_work

Rental history

Current and previous rental details and addresses.

business_center

Employment/income verification

Employment status, employer and income details.

groups

References

Landlord, personal or professional references.

verified_user

Screening consent

Permission to verify applicant information.

edit

Signature & date

Applicant confirmations and date.

verified_user

Collected the application already? Start tenant screening→

What comes before and after a rental application?

 A rental application helps you collect applicant details, but it’s only one step in the rental process. Here’s what can happen before and after the application.

Pre-screening

Ask early qualifying questions before sending a full rental application.

Rental application

Download the rental application form and collect key applicant details.

Tenant screening

Verify credit, income, identity and background details before approving.

Lease creation

Create and sign the lease online after you’ve reviewed and approved your rental applicant.

Don't stop at the application

Before you approve an applicant, screen their credit, income, identity and background details with SingleKey. When they're approved, create and sign the lease online.

Rental application form FAQs

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.

View all FAQ's