If you’re a landlord who has to vet the people you’re going to rent your property to, there’s a tool you should undoubtedly be taking advantage of: technology. There are tons of tech solutions out there that make the process of screening potential tenants and renting to them easier. One of those tools is the online, digital application. When considering potential tenants for an apartment, it’s important to gather a lot of personal information and documentation about them. However, you can avoid the headache and hassle of having them fill out actual tangible paperwork by relying on digital applications. There are lots of perks to using digital applications for landlords, here are some of the best.
Speed Up the Application Process
Using digital applications when renting makes the entire screening process easier. You can immediately get the application to prospective tenants via link (or they can apply through your online listings) and then collect the paperwork when they submit it to you electronically. Rather than wait for the delivery of hard copy forms in-hand or by fax, you can make the delivery process nearly instantaneous; which speeds up the entire process of renting and ensures your property doesn’t sit empty on the market.
Be More Environmentally Friendly
Using tons of paper for each rental application harms the environment–especially if you’re renting multiple apartments and considering multiple potential renters for each one. Studies show that nearly 45% of all paper used in offices will end up in the trash or recycling at the end of the day, and that the average business creates more than 1.5 pounds of paper waste per worker per day every single work day. Stop using so many paper resources, and rely on the internet instead. You can help save trees, reduce waste, and keep the air cleaner- all while enjoying the benefits of an easier process.
Offer Improved Convenience
Looking through rental applications isn’t just a headache for you, it can be annoying for prospective tenants to fill out those applications too. Plus, once you have paper forms you’ll have to spend time digitizing or storing those forms, as well. Studies show that when offices rely heavily on paper documents, employees in those offices spend more than 1.6 hours per day recreating digital versions of the information that already exists in those documents (that’s nearly one whole work day wasted per week!) So, simplify and streamline the process for yourself and for them by relying on digital applications.
Reuse the Same Applications
If your tenant wants to move, but stay within one of your buildings, it can be helpful if you use digital applications. That way, you can re-access the application they submitted the first time and just ask them to update any information. This is a fast, easy process for both you and the tenants. It can also help you continue to rent to tenants who you have good relationships with and who you’ve already had good experiences renting to.
Save Space
Don’t have a physical office? Don’t worry about it. When you use digital applications, you don’t have to worry about having filing cabinets to tuck away all that paper or figure out a way to recycle it all once you no longer need it.
If you’re a landlord, it’s time to start taking advantage of the power of technology and accepting digital applications when it comes time to screen potential tenants. Digital rental applications offer a slew of benefits that will save you time, money, energy and stress. Plus, you can help build your reputation as a savvy, tech-friendly, knowledgeable landlord, which makes you a more desirable person to rent from.
If you’re looking for resources to help make your experience as a landlord easier and more convenient, check out Rentler. We offer tech-forward tools that help connect landlords and tenants and simplify the process of renting real estate.
Originally published on Groundwork
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