Finding your next great tenant starts with the rental application. Not only is it the first step in the tenant selection process, but it's also essential to placing excellent residents in your rental properties.  Rental applications help you gather crucial information about someone who wants to rent your property. Of course, you want and need that information, but you must also be sure a basic rental application form is set up and processed legally. In other words, there are some things you're not allowed to ask and some things you aren't allowed to do with the information you collect from potential tenants.  To protect yourself and anyone you screen for tenancy, make sure you set up the application in a way that gives you information and doesn't violate Fair Housing Laws. You also need to work with companies that follow FCRA regulations to protect private information when you screen your tenants.  Here's what to consider about the rental application process.