Apply Now is free to landlords and real estate agents. Prospective tenants pay the application fee. The price per applicant is dictated by our partners is usually $49. Rental applicants can submit the same application for additional properties within thirty days at no charge.
Q.
Can I submit an application on any listing?
A.
Yes! Always speak with the listing contact prior to starting an application, including ensuring that the owner or property manager will accept an electronic Rental Beast application. submitted via Apply Now.
Q.
Can a tenant reuse an application for another property?
A.
Absolutely! Tenant applications remain valid for 30 days from the original date of submission. This means tenants can apply for more than one property right away, or in cases where an initial application is not accepted.
Q.
Who can initiate an application using Apply Now?
A.
Applications can be initiated by a prospective tenant, a real estate agent, a landlord, or a designated property manager. In cases where an application is begun by an agent, landlord or property manager, prospective tenants will receive email invitations with instructions and an accompanying link to complete a leasing application.
Q.
Can I submit an application on any rental listing?
A.
Yes, and most Rental Beast listings have an Apply Now button for starting applications. Always speak with the listing contact prior to starting an application, including ensuring that the owner or property manager will accept an electronic Rental Beast application submitted via Apply Now.
Q.
Why would a listing not have the Apply Now button?
A.
If a property owner, manager, or listing agent has told Rental Beast they will not accept an electronic Rental Beast application, we will remove the Apply Now button from their listing.
Q.
Can more than one applicant be added to the application?
A.
Yes. Additional applicants can be designated when starting the application process.
Q.
What do I do if there is a co-signer or guarantor?
A.
Simply add the cosigner as an additional applicant. It’s a good idea to also contact the landlord or listing agent to let them know a guarantor has been added as an additional applicant.
Q.
Does Rental Beast do the screening?
A.
Screening is done by a major U.S.-based credit bureau. All credit-related information is derived directly from the bureau. Rental Beast does not view or retain non-public, credit-related information.
Q.
How long will the screening process take?
A.
Most reports are processed within minutes. However the entire application process can take up to 3-4 days from the initial submission until the property owner or designated reviewer provides a decision. All parties will be notified when the screening reports have been generated as well as with each status change throughout the process.
Q.
Who sees the results?
A.
Results are only seen by the landlord or a proxy designated by the landlord, such as a property manager or listing agent, as required by the U.S. Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Q.
Does Rental Beast provide advice to landlords on accepting or declining an application?
A.
No. Information is provided by a major U.S.-based credit bureau directly to the landlord or property owner. Rental Beast does not view or retain non-public, credit-related information.
Q.
How does an owner or designated reviewer access the applicant(s)’ reports?
A.
Reviewers are notified by email when an application is ready for review. The reviewer can easily and securely review the application, request more information, and/or make a decision via the Rental Beast Landlord Portal.
Q.
What information about an applicant is provided to reviewer?
A.
Landlords or designated reviewers will be able to see the full rental application, including income, employment, and residential history, as well as other relevant application-related information. Additionally, credit reports, eviction history, and criminal background information are provided where available, subject to regulations.
Please note: eviction histories are not always available, and in some states, including Massachusetts, criminal reports are not available.
Q.
How will a tenant applicant know how to start an application initiated by a landlord or real estate agent?
A.
Once the application has been initiated, prospective tenants will receive an email with a link to complete their leasing application. Once the applicant clicks on the link, detailed instructions are provided on how to complete the application.
Q.
What will applicants need to complete the application?
A.
Applicants will need relevant personal information, including date of birth and social security number, as well as vehicle information, proof of income, employment information, credit and personal references, and housing/rental history. The applicant may also be asked to upload a photo or scan of a valid ID.
Q.
Can prospective tenants see the status of their applications?
A.
Yes. Any applicant can login to Rental Beast and select “Applications” under his/her name to view application statuses.
Q.
Will this impact an applicant’s credit?
A.
No. This particular check, referred to as a “soft pull”, does not impact a consumer’s FICO score.
Q.
As an agent, what should I do after I have initiated an application?
A.
We recommend following up with both the applicant(s) and the listing contact until the application process is complete.
Q.
What should I do if I didn’t receive any email notifications regarding an application and I am a participating party?
A.
Agents representing tenants can verify email information by accessing their application dashboard, either via their participating MLS or by logging into Rental Beast. If input correctly, check the spam folder in your email client. If an application was submitted directly, or if the email otherwise cannot be found, please contact Rental Beast support at support@rentalbeast.com.
Q.
If a landlord requires additional documents, can those be uploaded?
A.
Yes. Prospective tenants can upload documents during and after the application submission.
Q.
How is a listing opted out of Apply Now?
A.
Landlords, property managers, or designated listings agents can initiate the opt out process by contacting Rental Beast support at support@rentalbeast.com.