Prepare a printable Nebraska rental application form to help you get tenants for your property. Create and customize your screening document with easy instructions and professional templates.
Last Update May 1st, 2023
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- What Is a Nebraska Residential Rental Application
- Nebraska Rental Applications by Type
- What to Include in a Nebraska Rental Application Form
- Nebraska Rental Application Laws
- Nebraska Rental Application Sample
- FAQs About Nebraska Rental Application Form
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What Is a Nebraska Residential Rental Application
A Nebraska rental application is a real state legal document used by landlords and property managers to assess and choose an appropriate tenant for a rental property. They are sometimes known by other common names, such as:
Tenant applications
Rental lease applications
Lease applications
Applications for a 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.
Nebraska Rental Applications by Type
You will need to choose the correct type of rental application template depending on the people you are renting to and your property’s designation. There are two options to choose from in NE, which can be seen below.
| Standard/General Rental Application | Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rental Application | |
|---|---|---|
| Which landlords can use it? | Private landlords | Landlords with Section 8 housing |
| What kind of tenants is it designed for? | Any | Tenants eligible for subsidized housing |
What to Include in a Nebraska Rental Application Form
Both landlords and tenants need to provide specific information on a Nebraska rental application. This is so it complies with state laws and allows an informed decision to be made. The details each party should provide can be seen below.
| Data the Tenant Can Be Asked for | Essential Disclosures from the Landlord |
|---|---|
| Personal data | The property’s condition |
| Rental history | Potential hazards to the tenant |
| Employment details | Shared utility arrangements |
| Income information | Rent control rules |
| Credit history | Smoking policy |
| Personal references | The security deposit |
| Permission for background checks | Associated fees |
The information offered by either the landlord or tenant will vary from application to application. However, it is vitally important that both sides get the clearest picture possible about the nature of the lease before signing an agreement.
Nebraska Rental Application Laws
Nebraska state has various laws regarding the use of rental applications. If your document is not compliant with NE law, you may get sued by the applicant and face legal consequences.
Application Fee
Landlords can charge any fee they choose for a rental application, as these are not limited by Nebraska statutes. The fee that is paid is also non-refundable to the tenant.
Security Deposit
Landlords cannot charge more than 1 months’ rent if they are leasing an apartment under Nebraska law (§ 76-1416). If the tenant will keep pets on the property, an additional 25% of the monthly rent can be charged.
Housing Discrimination Law
In Nebraska, there is no specific state law relating to housing discrimination. However, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) is in place (§ 20-139). The FHA states that it is illegal to discriminate based on the following characteristics:
Race
Nationality
Religion
Sex
Familial status
Disability
Criminal history
As a consequence, you are not allowed to ask for any of these details on an NE Rental Application form, nor to include them in the decision-making process.
Notice of Eligibility
Potential tenants must be informed about the screening criteria and reasons for possible denial or approval in advance. To prove that this information has been shared, a signature of acknowledgment must be provided within the application or alongside it.
Consent Credit Check
The Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) (§§ 8-2601 to 8-2615) stipulates that potential tenants must agree to any credit checks you require. To show they consent, they must provide written acknowledgment on the application form.
Nebraska Rental Application Sample
Looking over a readily prepared template of a rental application can make it much easier to create your own. Review our document sample below to get more familiar with what your application form will look like when it’s completed.
FAQs About Nebraska Rental Application Form
Understanding what your Nebraska 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.
Why Do I Need a Nebraska Rental Application?
A Nebraska rental application gives you the opportunity to learn more about your tenant before committing to a legal contract with them. The application lets you collect data on your prospective rental resident, so you may carry out important checks to:
Review their rental history
Verify their employment and income
Learn of any criminal history or credit issues
What Are Credit References on a Nebraska Rental Application?
A credit reference is a document that provides information on the credit history of an applicant for a rental property. This may be requested on Nebraska rental applications so that landlords can properly assess whether a potential tenant will be able to meet the rental payment schedule.
Do I Need to Ask for a Social Security Number in a Nebraska Rental Application?
It is not usually necessary to request a Social Security number (SSN) on an NE 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.