Free Florida Rental Application Form

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Last Update April 14th, 2024

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What is a Florida Residential Rental Application

A Florida residential rental application is a legal document used by landlords and property managers to review and screen potential tenants. This is an essential step in the rental process before committing to a fully-fledged lease.

Other names for this form include:

  • Tenant application
  • Rental lease application
  • Lease application
  • Application for rental property

Having a rental application can prove highly important to make sure you get the right tenant into your property. The process of screening prospective residents in this way allows you to discover any issues such as their inability to pay rent or the likelihood to cause a nuisance before signing a contract.

Florida Rental Applications by Type

There are two main types of Florida rental applications that you can create. The variety you choose ultimately depends on the type of property being rented, local laws, and the kind of tenant that you will be housing. 

Standard/General Florida Rental Application

Standard Florida rental applications are the most common type of screening documents used by landlords. They can be customized for the specific necessities of an individual property owner or manager.  

Department of Housing And Urban Development (HUD) Rental Application

A HUD rental application is designed for landlords renting property to low-income tenants or those offering Section 8 Housing. It is specially formatted to only ask for information that is allowed under subsidized housing rules.

What to Include in a Florida Rental Application Form

When you fill in a simple rental application form for Florida you’ll need to ask for some crucial data from the tenant to make the vetting process as effective as possible. 

When you create your own application for rental you should request the following information:

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

Furthermore, landlords must make a number of important disclosures on a standard rental application form. This information might include:

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

Florida Rental Applications Laws

Florida state has specific laws for how rental applications can be used. These place limits on the information you may request and on how you choose your tenant.

You must make sure your document is compliant with Florida law. If you don’t you could potentially get sued by the applicant if they think that you have discriminated against them or have illegally gathered information about them. 

Application Fee

There is no limit on what you may charge as an application fee in Florida. However, to keep your rental real estate competitive with the market you shouldn’t charge more than the amount necessary to cover your costs in verifying the tenant.

Security Deposit

Florida doesn’t set any limits on how much you can charge as a security deposit. However, it is recommended not to charge more than 1-2 months rent for this amount access to Florida Statutes Annotated sections § 83.49 and § 83.43(12).

Housing Discrimination Law

You must follow the Fair Housing Act (FHA) when you check tenants with a Florida rental application. This is a federal law that doesn’t allow you to discriminate against applicants for the following reasons:

  • Race or ethnicity
  • Sexuality
  • Disability
  • Family status
  • Criminal record
  • National origin
  • Religion
  • Gender

Consent to Credit Checks

According to the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you must obtain consent before running any background or credit checks about a housing applicant. The rental application allows you to collect this consent from them by having them approve and sign a statement authorizing the checks.

Florida Rental Application Sample

It’s sensible to look over the template for a Florida 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.

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Rental Application Florida Sample

Rental Application FAQs

Having a good idea of what you can and cannot use a Florida rental application for is important. In our FAQs below, we explain what is and isn’t allowed when you create your own form.

What Is The Screening Process in Florida?

When you wish to rent out your property to a tenant you can use a Florida rental application to check the potential resident before they move in. This allows you to get important background information from the applicant.

In Florida you might use a rental application to find out any of the following about a prospective tenant:

  • Whether they can afford rent or not
  • If they have a positive or negative rental history
  • If they are employed
  • Their credit history
  • Whether they have committed any crimes or felonies

How to Fill Out a Florida Rental Application?

When you create a rental application for Florida, you need to make sure that you request the right data. This will help you make an effective decision on the candidate.

On the form you can request any of the following information: 

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

What Questions Can’t You Ask In a Florida Rental Application?

Under Florida and US law you may not collect certain data on tenants. If you use a rental application to do so you risk being sued by the applicant for discrimination. 

You must not ask any questions about or require data on the following subjects about the tenant on your Florida rental application:

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

Do I Need to Ask for a Social Security Number in a Florida Rental Application?

It is not usually necessary to request a Social Security number (SSN) on a Florida 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. 

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Rental Application Florida Sample

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RESIDENTIAL 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: (please check one)

(   ) Tenant
(   ) Tenant with co-tenant(s)
(   ) Guarantor/co-signor
PROPERTY & TENANCY INFORMATION
Application to Rent property located at the following address:

_________ , _________, FL _________

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

Please attach a copy of your Driver's License, State ID, Military ID, or Passport.
FULL NAME: ________________________________________________________________
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 PERSONAL INFORMATION (if applicable)
Please attach a copy of your Driver's License, State ID, Military ID, or Passport.

FULL NAME: ________________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: _________________________ (Optional)
Driver's license number or any valid ID: _________________ State: ______________ Expires: _________________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________
Home Phone: (______) ___________ Alternative Phone: (______) ___________
OTHER RESIDENTS' INFORMATION (if applicable)
Please list all other residents who will be occupying the Property.

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 use of waterbeds is not allowed on the Property.
Smoking and Vaping
Smoking is not allowed inside the rental property. This restriction includes the use of e-cigarettes and vaping.
CONSENT & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By signing this Residential Rental Application, I accept and agree to the following:
(i)This is only an application to rent and does not guarantee that I will be selected as a tenant of the Property.
(ii)The Landlord or Manager or his/her authorized Agent could receive multiple rental applications for the Property and will only select the most qualified individual.
(iii)The application fee is non-refundable.

I certify that I have read the above application and that the information contained therein is true and correct, and contains no misrepresentations.
By signing this Residential Rental Application, I authorize the Landlord or Manager or his/her authorized Agent to do the following:
(i)Verify all of the personal information provided above.
(ii)Obtain reports on me that may include credit reports, criminal background checks, eviction reports, tenant history, and employment history.
(iii)Disclose information to the owners or agents of the Property.

I understand that incomplete or incorrect information provided in the application may cause a delay in processing or may result in the denial of application.
Do you 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
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