Is it ok to make your own TENANT APPLICATION with general questions?

Question

I'm thinking on typing up a quick tenant application, general info or is this like a legal document I need to get approved somewhere. It's not the actual LEASE contract! Just to keep track record of potential applicants. Need it by tomorrow! For the state of California.

Answer 1

Sure it is.... but be VERY careful what questions you ask. Many questions are simply illegal to ask in a landlord-tenant situation without running foul of the equal housing laws - especially in CA.

If you're not VERY familiar with the landlord-tenant laws in CA I'd advise that you just buy one, either online or from Staples or some such.

Richard

Answer 2

What are you trying to do? Get a preliminary credit report or just want to see if a potential applicant will admit they are serial killer? Just get a regular lease agreement. You could pull one up in Microsoft word under templates. You don't want to have something to general. I e you would allow pets but this fool shows up with a hippo and a monkey. You will want to throw them out, but they will point to the general lease and say you did not say what kind of pets. If you want to do a credit check, tell them up front then at signing do a formal lease. Its smarter and safer for you.

Answer 3

google for the standard rental application from teh California Board of realtors.

if you do it yourself you are sure to expose yourself to discrimination charges while not getting the right info anyway.