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?
- Can I pay the fee for the applicant?
- I have a tenant referral and do not plan to publicly list the property for rent. Can I still use this
- How does the renter pay their application fee?
- 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?
- How much does the application cost?
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:
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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
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.
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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.
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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.
When a renter applies, we will send you a notification email. Any completed applications will show up in your listing under the Applications tab.
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?
I have a tenant referral and do not plan to publicly list the property for rent. Can I still use this service to collect an identity verified application with credit screening and background check?
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.
You have two options for inviting a particular renter to apply to your property.
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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 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.