zillow application fee per person how to customize

 The Zillow rental application fee is $35 per person (as of May 2025), which covers a comprehensive credit check and background check. This fee is standardized, meaning it cannot be customized or adjusted by landlords to charge more or less. 

Here is how the application fee works and how to manage the process:

Application Fee Details

• Cost: $35 per applicant over the age of 18.
• Validity: The fee covers unlimited applications to participating rentals for 30 days.
• Inclusions: The fee includes credit report, criminal background check, and eviction history. 

How to Handle/Customize the Process (For Landlords)
While you cannot change the $35 price tag on Zillow, you can "customize" the application experience in the following ways:

• Enable/Disable Applications: You can choose to enable the "Apply Now" button on your listing or disable it to screen tenants personally first.
• Pre-Screening: To avoid unnecessary, non-refundable fees for applicants, consider using a free tool like Google Forms for a pre-screening survey to filter applicants before inviting them to apply on Zillow.
• Handle Co-Applicants: If you have multiple applicants, you can send invitations to each, allowing them to fill out their own information.
• External Screening: If you require screening beyond what Zillow provides, you must handle that through a separate, third-party, which may incur additional fees for the renter. 

How to Customize/Update Your Application (For Renters)

• Editing Information: Once submitted, a Zillow application cannot be changed. However, you can update information by withdrawing the application via your Renter Hub and submitting it again.
• Resubmitting: You will not be charged again if you resubmit your application within 30 days of the original purchase.
• Adding Co-Applicants: You can add co-applicants by editing the application and inviting them, but if they are already submitted, you may need to withdraw and restart to include them properly.