> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.unitefoundation.in/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Onboard New Tenants: From Application to Move-In Day

> Walk through PropManager's tenant onboarding workflow — from listing a vacancy and screening applicants to signing a lease and activating portal access.

Getting a new tenant into your property involves more than handing over keys. This guide walks you through PropManager's complete onboarding workflow — from posting a vacancy and inviting applicants to collecting the security deposit and giving your tenant access to their self-service portal. Follow these steps in order to keep everything organized and compliant from day one.

<Tip>
  Before you invite your first applicant, head to **Settings > Screening Criteria** to define your minimum credit score, income requirements, and background check preferences. PropManager will flag applicants who don't meet your thresholds automatically, saving you time on every future application.
</Tip>

## Onboarding Workflow

<Steps>
  <Step title="List the Vacancy">
    Navigate to **Properties**, find the relevant property, and click **Add Vacancy**. Fill in the unit details — unit number, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms — along with the monthly rent amount and the date the unit becomes available. Save the vacancy to make it active and ready to receive applications.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send a Screening Invitation">
    Open the vacancy you just created and click **Invite Applicant**. Enter the applicant's email address and click **Send Invitation**. The applicant receives a link to complete their rental application entirely online, including consent for a background check, credit report pull, and rental history verification. You don't need to collect any paperwork manually.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Screening Results">
    Once the applicant submits their application, PropManager pulls their credit report, background check, and rental history automatically. Go to **Applications** and select the applicant's name to see a full screening summary. Review each section, then click **Approve** or **Decline**. Declined applicants receive an automated adverse action notice as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

    <Note>
      Screening reports are provided by a third-party consumer reporting agency. PropManager stores reports securely and restricts access to authorized users on your account only.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a Lease">
    After approving an applicant, click **Create Lease** from their application page. Set the lease start and end dates, confirm the monthly rent amount, and enter the security deposit amount. You can apply a lease template from your saved templates or upload a custom lease document.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send the Lease for E-Signature">
    With the lease ready, click **Send for Signature**. The tenant receives an email with a secure link to review and sign the lease electronically. You'll be notified as soon as they complete their signature. You can then countersign directly in PropManager to finalize the agreement.

    <Note>
      PropManager's e-signature workflow complies with the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce (ESIGN) Act and UETA. Signed leases are archived automatically and available in the tenant's document history.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Collect the Security Deposit">
    Once the lease is signed, go to the tenant's profile and click **Record Deposit Payment**. Enter the amount received and the payment date. PropManager logs this deposit and includes it in your Security Deposit Summary report so you always know what you're holding and for which unit.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Up Rent Collection">
    Navigate to the tenant's **Payment Settings** and configure their rent schedule. Set the monthly due date, grace period length, and late fee type — either a flat dollar amount or a percentage of rent. You can also enable autopay at this stage; the tenant will receive a prompt to authorize recurring payments from their portal.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate Tenant Portal Access">
    Click **Send Portal Invitation** from the tenant's profile. The tenant receives an email with instructions to set a password and activate their account. Once logged in, they can pay rent, view payment history, and submit maintenance requests — all without needing to contact you directly.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Related Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Tenant Screening" icon="magnifying-glass" href="/features/tenant-screening">
    Learn how PropManager runs background checks, credit pulls, and rental history verification for every applicant.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Rent Collection" icon="money-bill" href="/features/rent-collection">
    Explore autopay setup, late fee configuration, and payment tracking across your entire portfolio.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>