Application Definition (Figure 13)
Before configuring the Online Application, the user must understand Federal, state, and local fair housing law and its interpretation. The way a field is worded on the application, or the question that is asked, can often cause fair housing issues. Some Online Application system default fields (like income from alimony/spousal support, do you have children, and others) have been questioned in some jurisdictions. Use caution when configuring the online application and research controlling case law before implementing Online Applications.
Enable (turn on) and disable (turn off) Online Application form fields to create an online application that aligns with property management company specifications, as well as federal and local regulations. Online Applications is an integrated feature that requires both the RP Listings System and the RP Management System be active in the user's HomeRentals.net package. Contact HomeRentals.net Member Support to request additional information about Online Applications if the RP Listings System is not currently active.
The user is able to edit application field labels, however, changing a label does not change the nature of the field itself. For instance, the user can change the label on the Address field to read “How many children do you have?” but the system will still process the input as “Address” on the application report and integrated screening company export (future feature). The user is not able to edit the field name or type; these are defined by the system and are only displayed to help the user understand the field definitions.
Figure 13
The user is able to designate most online application fields configured as optional or required. Mark the “Req’d” checkbox beside a field to designate it as required; the system will reject the application if the required fields are not completed during the online application process. First name, last name, and electronic signature are designated as required fields by default. The system will reject the application if these fields are not completed.
When a Yes/No type field is marked as required, the system will only process the application if the applicant answers "yes" to the question asked. Keep this in mind when configuring fields such as "Have you ever been evicted?" for which a "No" answer is preferable. The system will reject an online application if the applicant enters "no" into a required Yes/No field. The user should only designate a Yes/No field as required if the company will only accept a "yes" response to the field question.
The Online Application definition includes 10 customizable fields (custom0-custom9). These fields can be configured to ensure that individual company application field requirements, that are not covered by the system default fields, are addressed. The custom fields will be displayed generically at the bottom of the application report you receive. Before configuring a custom field, make sure that there is no matching default system field. Custom fields are ineligible for inclusion in the integrated screening company export (future feature).