Why Landlords Should Use Azibo for Online Rental Applications

Gemma Smith
Last updated
September 30, 2024
5 min read

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Navigating the rental application process can be difficult — especially when real estate investors are trying to fill vacancies as quickly as possible. To help optimize this process, Azibo offers a comprehensive solution for online rental applications, integrated in our all-in-one property management platform.

In this article, we’ll explore the features and benefits of Azibo's innovative approach to managing rental applications, and provide a step-by-step guide on getting started. 

Azibo rental applications: An overview

Azibo offers a comprehensive, free-to-use platform that streamlines the entire rental process for landlords. Within a single interface, you can manage tenant applications, create leases, conduct tenant screening, collect rent, and handle real estate accounting. The platform allows you to:

  • Customize application settings, including costs and screening options
  • Easily invite applicants through multiple methods
  • Collect detailed applicant information, from personal details to rental history
  • Review applications side-by-side with intuitive filtering and timestamping
  • Request additional information or background checks as needed
  • Seamlessly transition approved applicants to lease signing and rent collection

By centralizing these functions and offering them at no cost to landlords, Azibo significantly reduces the time and expense involved in finding and onboarding great tenants. The platform's flexibility and comprehensive features empower you to make informed decisions efficiently, streamlining your property management process from application to move-in.

What’s included in Azibo rental applications? 

Azibo's rental application form is comprehensive and customizable, designed to gather all necessary information while complying with fair housing laws. The robust application includes:

  1. Personal Information: Contact details, date of birth, desired unit and move-in date, rental preferences (pets, smoking, number of residents, etc.).
  2. Rental History: Current and past addresses (spanning at least two years), landlord references (minimum of two), reasons for moving.
  3. Income and Employment Details: Current and previous employment history, job titles, monthly income, self-reported information on credit score and debt.
  4. Additional Self-Reported Information: Eviction history, criminal convictions.
  5. Document Upload: Mandatory (proof of income and government-issued ID), optional (additional documents as requested).
  6. Tenant Screening (Optional): Comprehensive background checks through TransUnion, including full credit report, identity validation, nationwide eviction history, and criminal records (covering up to 85% of the US population). Standard fee: $39.99, flexibly paid by applicant or landlord to comply with local regulations.

Landlords can customize application settings, including costs and screening options, to suit their specific needs. All information and documents are securely stored within Azibo, allowing easy reference and review at any time. This comprehensive approach ensures you have all the necessary information to make informed decisions while maintaining compliance with fair housing laws.

Benefits of Azibo rental applications

With Azibo’s online rental applications, landlords and prospective tenants can enjoy a seamless rental application experience. 

Fast, efficient processing

Online rental applications can be completed, submitted, and processed much faster than paper-based forms, helping to reduce the timeline for finding new tenants and minimize vacancies. Azibo also saves time by eliminating physical paperwork and sending landlords instant notifications when a new application is submitted.

Manage applications from afar

Online applications are especially useful for landlords who own properties in multiple locations or manage long-distance properties, as they can review applicants from anywhere without having to arrange in-person meetups. 

Improved organization and security

Landlords can sort and manage all applications and tenant details in one place, making it easier to compare applicants and keep track of prospective renters. Azibo’s secure platform also protects applicants’ personal information, in compliance with data privacy regulations. 

Integrated property management

Azibo’s rental applications are fully integrated with our other rental solutions, including tenant screening, rent collection, accounting, and more — allowing landlords to manage all aspects of the rental property process within the same platform. 

Seamless tenant experience

Azibo’s online rental applications provide a modern online application process for prospective tenants, helping to make a positive first impression and build the foundation for a strong landlord-tenant relationship. 

How Azibo online rental applications work

Ready to get started with Azibo rental applications? Here's how it works:

  1. Set up your application: If you're new to Azibo, add your rental property and select "Accepting applicants" for the unit. Navigate to the Settings tab and click on 'App and screening' to customize your application settings. Choose your preferred application method: application only, application and screening report, or screening report only. Set up application costs and customize application instructions if desired.
  2. Invite applicants: Go to "Renter Screening" or navigate directly from your unit page. Click "Invite to apply" and select the property, unit, and application type. Either send a direct invitation link via email or phone, or copy the application quick link to embed in your rental listings.
  3. Application process: Applicants create a free Azibo account to complete the application and/or background check. The application form includes personal information, rental history, income and employment details, and allows document uploads. If required, applicants can complete a background check for a $39.99 fee (which you can choose to cover partially or fully).
  4. Review applications: Receive email notifications when applications are submitted. Review applications from the "Renter Screening" page or individual unit page. Use filters to sort applications by portfolio, status, or application dates. Click on an applicant's summary card to view full details, including screening reports if requested.
  5. Make decisions: Approve, decline, or mark applications as incomplete. Request additional information if needed. For approved applicants, click "Offer Unit" to set up lease and payment terms.
  6. Finalize the process: Set up the lease and payment terms in Azibo. Approved tenants will use their Azibo account to sign the lease and set up rent payments.
Example of an Azibo rental application form

This streamlined process ensures a seamless experience for both landlords and tenants, from application to move-in, all within the Azibo platform.

Azibo: All-in-one property management platform

Azibo provides the simplest way for real estate investors to manage rental properties, with solutions for tenant applications and screening, lease creation, rent collection, accounting, and more in one convenient place — while also providing an excellent tenant experience. 

Landlords can manage their entire rental business in one platform, with one login — for free. That’s right — Azibo offers the following real estate solutions at no cost to property owners:

  • Rental applications: Easily screen the right tenant for properties with the information that is most important to a landlord
  • Tenant screening*: Verify quality tenants with access to full candidate screenings, including a credit check, criminal background check, and eviction reports.
  • Custom lease agreements: Azibo’s state-specific rental lease agreements allow landlords to stay compliant and invite tenants to sign online versus hiring an attorney or using an additional third party platform.
  • Simplified rent collection**: Help tenants pay rent on time with flexible payment options including ACH bank transfer, debit card, credit card, or paper check.
  • Financial management: Optimizes finances with the only accounting and tax prep tools designed for real estate investors.
  • Tenant resources: One of Azibo’s differentiators is the value we provide to tenants as well as landlords. In addition to flexible online payment methods and access to comprehensive renters insurance, we empower renters to improve their credit score through our Credit Boost rent reporting tool.

Learn more about Azibo’s pricing and business model — and why we are able to offer our platform at no cost to landlords. 

*Azibo tenant screening services are free for landlords. The standard fee for a comprehensive background check is $39.99 per application, which can be paid by the prospective renter or covered partially or fully by the landlord, offering flexibility to comply with local regulations.

**Tenants who choose to pay rent via debit or credit card through Azibo are charged a 2.99% transaction fee.

Kickstart seamless rental applications today

Embracing technology is key to success in today’s real estate market. Simplify rental applications and property management with our all-in-one platform. With Azibo, you’ll save time, increase efficiency, and get peace of mind.

Get started with Azibo online rental applications today.  

Written by

Gemma Smith

With 9 years in property management, Gemma serves as a key content strategist at Azibo.com. While excelling in writing, editing, and SEO, she also enhances Azibo's social media presence. Passionately, Gemma educates others to make informed real estate investment decisions in the ever-changing market.

Important Note: This post is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be taken as legal, accounting, or tax advice, nor should it be used as a substitute for such services. Always consult your own legal, accounting, or tax counsel before taking any action based on this information.

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