Online Rental Applications Will Likely Follow Similar High-Growth Trends as Virtual Tours
The Coronavirus has driven more renters to lean on virtual tours. Will applying online follow a similar trend? Likely, yes.
Contrary to popular belief, renters are still actively searching and moving into new rental units. A recent survey shows that 56% of renters still plan to move despite the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. However, the way renters are searching has been impacted — largely driven by state-mandated social distancing and stay-at-home orders.
Renter behaviors have changed. For example, 49% of renters say a pre-recorded video tour is an acceptable replacement for an in-person tour. At Rentals.com, we’ve seen a 200% week-over-week increase in virtual tour engagement. Similar trends are found with buyers looking to purchase homes, with RedFin reporting a 494% increase in requests for agent-led video home tours.
It shouldn’t come to a shock that renters will likely soon look to online rental applications as a necessary alternative to paper-based or in-person submissions.
One way Rentals.com is responding is by providing landlords, owners and brokers with FREE online rental applications and screening reports.
Whats included:
![A rental application, full credit report and score, criminal background check, nationwide eviction report and identity verification are included.](https://www.rentals.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/image-2.png)
Our online application form has all the necessary information to properly vet a tenant: personal information, employment & income, residence history and more. And since it’s online, it will always be legible and easy to complete.
![Online applications are essential when social distancing.](https://www.rentals.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/rental-application-795x1024.png)
If you have any questions about online rental applications, please reach out to our Customer Service team at info@rentals.com or 866-730-7177.