How to Initiate an Application using Apply Now for Maine MLS

The purpose of this article is to explain how real estate professionals can initiate a rental application from their application tab.

How to Initiate an Application

This article explains how real estate professionals can initiate a rental application from their application tab. 

Important Note: 

For Portland ME Listings

You must use a paper application when adding listings in Portland, Maine. To add a paper listing as an option to your listing, follow these steps:

  1. Log into the Rental Beast broker portal.
  2. Click the “My Listings” tab.
  3. Find the desired listing and click the "Edit" button.
  4. Navigate to the "Application" tab.
  5. Select the checkbox for "Paper Application."
  6. Click "Save and Continue" at the bottom of the page.

By doing this, you'll ensure that the appropriate application method is used for listings in Portland, Maine, 

For Non-Portland ME listings:

Almost all online rental applications connect the renter directly with the property contact, removing a real estate professional from the transaction. We changed this by building an online rental application that puts the real estate professional at the center of the transaction. Additionally, our online rental application tool is FCRA-compliant. 

What does it cost?... It’s free for realtors and property owners/managers! The applicant pays the cost of filling out an application. This application fee is $36. If the initial application is denied, the applicant has unlimited use of the application for the next 30 days.

Initiating an Application via Application Tab

Initiating an application is easy. Log into Rental Beast, access your Application dashboard, and initiate an application:

  1. Log into the Rental Beast broker portal
  2. Click the Applications tab to go to your Application dashboard. 
  3. Click “Initiate an Application.”
  4. In the top section of the blue form, enter the reviewer's contact information.

Enter the contact information for the property contact or designee authorized to review reports. Before initiating the Apply Now application, please confirm with the property contact that they accept Apply Now. 

Note: If the property owner is the reviewer, you can still follow the application's progress, but you will not see the reports yourself. Setting the property contact up as the reviewer is the simplest way to process applications. In the Apply Now system, only one person accesses the reports at a time. If you and the property owner/manager are both authorized to review the application results, you can start as the reviewer and change the reviewer to the property owner/manager later. 

Any time a reviewer for an application is changed, the applicant (renter) will be prompted to agree and consent to this change to maintain compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

  1. Enter property information 
  2. Fill out the address and information about the property.
  3. Enter applicant information
  4. Enter the background information for your renters. If multiple people are applying together (roommates, co-signer, etc.), click the "+" button to add additional applicants.
  5. Click "Submit Application" to finish the process. 

Note: After pressing submit, you can no longer adjust or change information. Double-check to ensure everything you have entered is correct and up-to-date. 

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Initiating an Application via Rental Beast Quick Apply Link

How it works:

  • Invite applicants to apply: Copy and share your Quick Apply Link with an interested applicant. The applicant can then start filling out the application. The best part is that the application is completely mobile-friendly!
  • Applicant completes application: They will fill out basic information, such as: Employment history and past rental history. Once they submit the application, TransUnion will compile the applicant's reports.
  • Tenant Screening Reports Ready: You will receive a notification when the reports are ready to review. You can easily share all the reports with a property owner or manager if needed.

How To Share Quick Apply Link

  1. Click on the listing you want the Quick Apply Link for.
  2. Enable Apply Now on your listing.
  3. Copy link from "Notes" section of your listing front page.
  4. Copy and share your link!

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Post-submission

After clicking the "Submit Application" button, an email invitation to begin an application will be sent to the renter applicant(s). Notifications will also be sent to the property contact or designee.

Keeping Up-To-Date with an Application

As a realtor, your job is not done after initiating an application. You should follow the entire application process and contact any party holding up the application. Use your Application dashboard to be kept up-to-date on the application's progress.

  1. Log into the Rental Beast broker portal.
  2. Click the “Applications” tab to go to your Application dashboard. 
  3. When viewing the desired application, look to the right side of the screen to see the status of the application.

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