+1 855 997 0206
Sun-Sat 9am - 9pm ET
Lawdistrict Logo

Free Delaware Rental Application Form

A Delaware Rental Application Form is a screening tool you use to gather details from potential tenants before leasing. It covers personal, financial, and employment info. The form helps you assess eligibility. It also allows you to follow state and federal laws on discrimination and applicant consent.

Trusted by 7,721 users.

Make Document
Last Update April 21, 2026

Fill forms in a few steps

Save, print & download

Done in 5 minutes

What Is a Delaware Residential Rental Application?Delaware Rental Application SampleDelaware Rental Applications by TypeWhat to Include in a Delaware Rental Application FormDelaware Rental Application LawsOther Real Estate DocumentsFAQs About Delaware Rental Application Form

What Is a Delaware Residential Rental Application?

Using a DE rental application allows you to screen a tenant before formally signing a lease agreement with them. 

The document is also known as a “tenant application,” “rental lease application,” “lease application,” or an “application for rental property”. Furthermore, each renter over 18 that will occupy the residence must complete their own individual tenant form.

Having a prospective tenant complete aDelaware rental application is an important step for real estate owners when making a final decision on whom to rent a property to. 

This legal document allows you to assess the income, background and rental history of the applicant before entering a binding contract to ensure no issues arise once the tenancy begins.

Delaware Rental Application Sample

It’s sensible to look over the template of a DE rental application before starting your own. This can help to give you a better idea of what your final form will look like and the kind of information you’ll need to add to it.

Delaware Rental Application Form
Create a Delaware Rental Application
PDFWORD

Delaware Rental Applications by Type

There are two main types of rental applications in DE. You must select the most relevant one depending on the type of property being rented, local laws, and the type of leasing agreement that will be used. 

Standard/General Delaware Rental Application

The most common type of vetting document used by DE landlords is the Delaware Standard Rental Application. This form can be customized according to the specific necessities of the property owner or manager. 

Department of Housing And Urban Development (HUD) Rental Application 

Landlords of low-income tenants or those offering Section 8 Housing should use a HUD rental application. It is specifically designed to only include information that is allowed under subsidized housing rules. 

What to Include in a Delaware Rental Application Form

It is important to request the right data from a tenant when asking them to fill in a Delaware rental application and to make sure they are properly informed about the contract. This will be essential to make sure you get the right tenant into your property.

Almost all application forms for rental properties request some or all of the following information:

  • Personal data
  • Rental history
  • Employment details
  • Income information
  • Credit history
  • Personal references
  • Permission for background checks

Additionally, landlords must provide vital disclosures to ensure that potential residents can safely use the property. They must provide details about:

  • The property’s condition
  • Potential hazards to the tenant
  • Shared utility arrangements
  • Rent control rules
  • Smoking policy
  • The security deposit
  • Associated fees

Delaware Rental Application Laws

Delaware has many rules and statutes regulating its housing market. These must be fully considered when preparing an application for rental properties in the state.

Application Fee

In Delaware, there is a state limit on rental application fees. DE Landlords cannot charge tenants more than 10 percent of one month's rent or $50 as an application fee. This amount is non-refundable.

Security Deposit

Under Delaware law (Title 25 § 5514), Landlords cannot charge more than 1 month's rent for yearly agreements. However, there is no limit on how much can be charged as a security deposit for month-to-month rental agreements. This amount must be returned within 20 days of the tenant vacating the property alongside an itemized list of any deductions.

Housing Discrimination Law

There are no set laws in Delaware that specifically limit housing discrimination. However, all states must adhere to the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The FHA is a federal law that prevents landlords from discriminating against tenants based on their:

  • Race
  • Nationality
  • Religion
  • Sex
  • Familial status
  • Disability
  • Criminal history

Notice of Eligibility

You must disclose the screening criteria used during the application process, as well as anything that could lead to a refusal. To make sure individuals understand this in advance of the application, they must provide a signature of acknowledgment on the application.

Consent Credit Check

Under the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), tenants being screened in Delaware must consent to any credit checks you wish to carry out. To make sure you comply with the law, the applicant must provide written acknowledgment of the screening on the application form.

Other Real Estate Documents

It is important to stay on top of your rented real estate. By using the right legal forms, this is a much easier task so that you can remain legally compliant with the rules in Delaware.

Use one of our real estate legal forms below to make sure everything runs smoothly:

FAQs About Delaware Rental Application Form

Understanding what your DE rental application can and cannot do is vital before you create your own from scratch. Find out more about how these screening documents work and what you need to know when writing them.

Creating a Delaware rental application can be easily done with the help of our contract maker and template tools. When you fill out a rental application form, you will usually request the following information from the tenant:

  • Personal data
  • Rental history
  • Employment details
  • Income information
  • Credit history
  • Personal references
  • Permission for background checks

You must also include important legal disclosures on the property and the lease agreement being proposed. This will outline details on the condition of the property, any hazards, and information on aspects such as security deposit and fees. Our template designer will help you add the data that must be added.

You cannot ask tenants a number of questions when you are vetting them with a Delaware rental application document. You must not request any of the following information from the applicant during this process:

  • Race or ethnicity
  • Religion
  • Sexuality
  • Immigration or citizenship status
  • Arrest records
  • Marital or familial status
  • Whether they have children or not

It is not usually necessary to request a Social Security number (SSN) on a DE rental application. However, you may consider requesting this data from an applicant if you want to run certain background checks on them.

Additionally, you must always get written permission from the tenant on the application form if you want to use their SSN. When you handle someone else’s Social Security information you always need consent first and must disclose that you will properly handle this data. 

These days, most screening companies can obtain the applicant’s SSN directly by requesting it securely from the applicant via email. Remember, however, that you must always inform the potential tenant and have their permission before you run any background checks.

Preview of your Delaware Rental Application

RENTAL APPLICATION
The following sections must be completed by the Applicant. Please note that, except for married couples, each occupant who is 18 years of age or older has to complete a separate application to rent.

Shall the Applicant have any question regarding the rental unit, please contact _________ at:
Email Address: _________
Phone: _________
The Applicant is a: (check one)

(   ) Tenant
(   ) Tenant with co-tenant(s)
(   ) Guarantor/co-signor
PREMISES INFORMATION
Application to rent property at the following address:

_________ , _________, DE _________

Type of Property: House
Date of Availability: _________
Proposed Move-In Date: _________
APPLICANT'S INFORMATION

Please attach a copy of your Driver's License, State ID, Military ID, or Passport.
FULL NAME OF APPLICANT: ________________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: _________________________ (Optional. For purpose of obtaining credit reports. Age discrimination is prohibited by state and federal law)
Driver's license number or any valid ID: _________________ State: ______________ Expires: _________________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________
Home Phone: (______) ___________ Alternative Phone: (______) ___________
CO-APPLICANT'S INFORMATION (if applicable)
Please attach a copy of your Driver's License, State ID, Military ID, or Passport.

FULL NAME OF CO-APPLICANT: ________________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: _________________________ (Optional)
Driver's license number or any valid ID: _________________ State: ______________ Expires: _________________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________
Home Phone: (______) ___________ Alternative Phone: (______) ___________
OTHER OCCUPANTS' INFORMATION (if applicable)
Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Relation to Applicant: ______________________ Date of Birth: ______________ (Optional)

Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Relation to Applicant: ______________________ Date of Birth: ______________ (Optional)

Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Relation to Applicant: ______________________ Date of Birth: ______________ (Optional)

Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Relation to Applicant: ______________________ Date of Birth: ______________ (Optional)
EMERGENCY CONTACT

In case of emergency, please contact:

Emergency contact #1: ____________________________________________________
Relationship: _______________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________
Emergency contact #2: ____________________________________________________
Relationship: _______________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Pets
Pets are not allowed in the rental property. However, as provided by law, a Service Animal(s) is not considered a pet, and every individual with a disability shall have a right to have a Service Animal(s) on the Property.
Waterbeds

The Landlord prohibits the use of waterbeds on the rental unit.
Smoking and Vaping

The Landlord does not allow smoking or vaping in the rental unit.
CONSENT & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By signing this Residential Rental Application, the Applicant accepts and agrees to the following:
(i)This is only an application to rent and does not guarantee that the Applicant will be selected as a tenant of the premises.
(ii)The Landlord or Manager or his/her authorized Agent could receive multiple rental applications for the premises and will only select the most qualified individual.
(iii)Applicant represents the above information to be true and complete.
Applicant hereby authorizes the Landlord or Manager or his/her authorized Agent to do the following:
(i)Verify all of the personal information provided above.
(ii)Obtain a credit report, as well as other reports, on the Applicant.
(iii)Applicant further authorizes the Landlord or Manager or his/her authorized Agent to disclose information to the owners or agents of the premises with whom the Applicant intends to have a rental relationship.
Does the Applicant wish to receive a copy of the reports that we may obtain?Yes (   )     No (   )     

Notice of Non-Discrimination

The Landlord does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any approval/disapproval of this application.


__________________________________________
Applicant's SignatureDate
__________________________________________
Co-Applicant's SignatureDate

Make Document

Try Lawdistrict Now

Instant and complete access to our entire library of legal forms

Edit, download and print in PDF from any device

Save time and money on legal document creation

Get Unlimited Access Now