Applicant Info
Collect full legal name, date of birth, contact details, and government ID reference. This section anchors identity verification and background checks.
A consistent questionnaire reduces disputes, speeds screening, and creates a retrievable record for disputes or audits. It supports regulatory compliance when paired with proper retention and consent procedures under ESIGN and state law.
Primary users include landlords, property managers, leasing agents, and third-party screening services who need a standardized intake form for tenancy decisions.
Completed questionnaires become part of the tenant file and should be stored according to applicable retention policies and any industry-specific rules (for example, fair-housing documentation and financial recordkeeping).
Collect full legal name, date of birth, contact details, and government ID reference. This section anchors identity verification and background checks.
Record prior addresses, landlord contacts, and dates of tenancy so property managers can assess eviction risk and rental stability.
List employer, position, income, and supporting documents (pay stubs or bank statements) to evaluate ability to pay rent and apply rent-to-income rules.
Include emergency contacts, personal references, and any co-signer details to support screening or shared liability arrangements.
Document current unit condition, existing damage, and inventory of fixtures to minimize move-in disputes and support security deposit calculations.
Provide written authorization for screenings, data-sharing notices, and ESIGN-compliant consent language when collecting electronic signatures and records.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Applicant Fields | Require full name, DOB, contact, and current address |
| Verification | Attach ID upload and income document options |
| Routing | Send to screening vendor then to leasing manager |
| Authentication | Enable email link or SMS code for signer identity |
Choose a delivery method that balances signer convenience, authentication strength, and record retention needs.
Platforms should support PDF and DOCX uploads, audit trails, conditional fields, and integrations with screening providers; confirm HIPAA or state-specific compliance needs before collecting sensitive health or protected data.
Request completion within 48–72 hours of application
Allow up to 3–5 business days for background and credit checks
Aim to notify applicants within 5–7 business days
Hold decisions and records until verifications complete
Store completed questionnaires per retention schedule
Applicant completes questionnaire and uploads documents.
Background, credit, and income checks run by vendors.
Leasing manager reviews results and determines eligibility.
Lease prepared and sent for signature after approval.
Optica uses a standardized online questionnaire for every applicant to reduce screening time by centralizing documents.
Martin Properties implemented online questionnaires with eSignature and conditional fields to capture co-signer details only when required.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | Yes, 7-day free trial | Yes, trial available | Yes, trial available | Yes, limited free plan | Yes, limited free plan |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |