In any business, time is money. Therefore, why are you forcing potential tenants to spend more time than they have to filling out a rental application? The use of a rental application pdf is not the same thing as using a purely online system of processing rental applications. Here are some reasons why you need to go with a completely online application system.
Applicants Can Do Everything In One Place
Applicants want to get their applications in as soon as possible. If it is possible to enter all of their information on a rental application pdf, why does the application then need to be printed out only to be signed and mailed to a rental office? Allowing applicants to electronically sign and send an application streamlines the entire process.
All Applications Get Sent To The Same Place
It makes it a lot easier to process applications when they are all in one place. If you have any questions about a particular application, it is easier to contact the applicant when you can easily call up an application for quick reference. Timely communication with an applicant can be the difference between getting that person to rent your apartment and it sitting vacant for another month.
Save Money
The most important reason to never force an applicant to print out an application again is to cut down on costs. You don't need as much ink, the fax machine can be dumped and there is no need to spend money on paper because there are no paper applications. An electronic means of applying for your apartments could even eliminate the need for a phone line. This is because all communication can happen via email in some cases.
Fewer People Are Needed To Handle The Rental Application
There is no need for an office manager to get the application, send it to a supervisor and then possibly have another person handle the application before it is approved or denied. Instead, an electronic system can make it much easier and faster to determine if an application should be approved or not. This eliminates confusion while also saving money.
In the 21st century, everything should be done electronically if possible. It makes it easier to organize applications, saves money on supplies and requires fewer people to handle the application. These are all benefits that any rental office or property manager can quickly learn to live with.
Zach Devine Online Marketing Manager for RentApp.com - powered by AppFolio. Zach joined the AppFolio team in 2011 to spearhead the launch of RentApp.com.