What you'll learn in this article:
- Why does my account need an application manager?
- What does it mean to enable or accept applications for my properties?
- How do I invite renters to apply?
- Can I still invite a renter to apply even though I am not listing my rental?
- How much does the application cost?
- How does the renter pay their application fee?
- Can I pay the fee for the applicant?
- What if I share my login with a co owner. Who should get verified?
- If my state has rules about the application fees that I can charge to my applicants, can I adjust the fees that Zillow charges to applicants?
- In my state, I’m allowed to charge for my time to evaluate applicants. Can I collect that fee through your services?
Why does my account need an application manager?
If you are a Feed Connect customer, then up to 6 users in a company account can review Zillow applications. One of those users must be the application manager. The application manager can give new users permissions to view and accept applications, and also remove applications permissions from existing users. Only the application manager can transfer the application manager role to another user.
In order for a user to view applications, both that user and the application manager on the company account must be ID verified. For more information on this, see this FAQ.
Only a company admin can view applications permissions. To view applications permissions,
- Log in to your Zillow Rental Manager.
- From the menu under your profile icon, choose User management
- View Application permissions
- Under Application manager, the application manager can transfer application manager permissions. Under Permissions, the application manager can manage application permissions for all users on the company account.
What does it mean to enable or accept applications for my properties?
When you enable applications on one or more of your listings, renters see an Apply now button on your listing. They can use this button to submit an application. With our applications feature, you will receive the following from tenants who apply:
- Comprehensive online application, which includes residence history, income & employment history, and income documents
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Instant, in-depth third party credit reports and background checks, including housing court and criminal records
How do I invite renters to apply?
If you have not enabled applications, you may also send an invitation for renters to apply online directly. This can be useful if you would prefer to chat with any prospective renters first or have them tour your property before they apply. You have two options for inviting a particular renter to apply to your property.
You can invite a specific renter to apply by going to the Applications tab in Zillow Rental Manager, selecting Send application link, and entering the renter’s email address. Using the Send application link feature will allow you to track the application status from your listing's Application dashboard.
The Copying a link button allows you to paste and share the application link with any renter on any platform you wish. However, only when the renter submits an application will it appear in your dashboard.
Note: When a renter applies, you will receive a notification email. Newly completed applications will show up in your listing under the Applications tab, and all applications can be viewed from the application dashboard by clicking View more.
Can I still invite a renter to apply even though I am not listing my rental?
Yes. After you create a listing in Zillow Rental Manager, you can invite a renter to apply from the listing. You don’t have to advertise the listing in order to use this feature.
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- Send application link allows you to specify a particular renter’s email and directly send an application. If you send a link, but the renter has not submitted the application yet, their invite will appear here.
- Copy a link allows you to paste and share the application link with any renters on any platform you wish. When the renter submits an application, it will appear in your dashboard.
As soon as the renter submits the application, you will receive a notification email. You can return to the same place in your listing to view all completed applications.
How much does the application cost?
The application and tenant screening is free for landlords. The renter pays $35 for application and third-party screening services. They can then use this service at an unlimited number of participating properties for 30 days at no extra cost.
How does the renter pay their application fee?
The renter can pay the one time fee with a credit or debit card. To pay, the renter will first start an application. They can start an application by clicking Apply now on a listing with the application feature enabled, or as the landlord, you may also send an invitation for renters to apply online.
- Send application link allows you to specify a particular renter’s email and directly send an application. If you send a link, but the renter has not submitted the application yet, their invite will appear here.
- Copy a link allows you to paste and share the application link with any renters on any platform you wish. When the renter submits an application, it will appear in your dashboard.
After the renter generates their screening reports, our system will prompt them to make the $35 payment.
Due to privacy concerns, multiple people are not permitted to share the same login. To protect the privacy of rental applicants, only one landlord per account is able to verify and view screening reports.
Can I pay the fee for the applicant?
No, the applicant must pay. There is not currently a way to pay the fee on someone else’s behalf.
For more details on this, refer to the article How does the renter pay their application fee?
If my state has rules about the application fees that I can charge to my applicants, can I adjust the fees that Zillow charges to applicants?
No, the $35 application fee can’t be adjusted. Zillow doesn’t provide rental applications services on behalf of landlords. The Zillow Application provides renters the opportunity to proactively create a tenant profile and run their own background and credit check, which they can submit to an unlimited number of participating rental listings for 30 days. Our application service is reviewed for compliance with Fair Housing laws and policies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as state and local laws across the country.
In my state, I’m allowed to charge for my time to evaluate applicants. Can I collect that fee through your services?
At this time there is no way to charge more than the application fee.