Each application you receive is a snapshot of the renter's Clara profile at the moment they submitted. If they update their profile afterward — new income, additional documents, an invited guarantor — those changes stay on their profile and don't automatically flow into the application you already have.
This article explains why Clara works this way, what to do when you need updated information, and how to handle the situations that come up most often.
The Snapshot Model
When a renter submits an application to your property, Clara captures their profile exactly as it exists at that moment and delivers it to you. From that point forward, the application is a locked record. It doesn't change — even if the renter continues updating their profile, re-running verifications, or adding new references and documents.
Why we built it this way: A locked snapshot gives you a clear, defensible record of what you reviewed when making your decision. If a question ever comes up about the basis for an approval or denial, you have a fixed reference point. It also prevents a situation where the application you reviewed yesterday looks different today — which would make screening decisions harder to track and defend.
Common Scenarios
"This application doesn't reflect updates the renter says they made." Correct — and expected. The renter sees their live profile; you see the snapshot from submission. If the updates are meaningful and you'd like to see them, you have two options:
- Ask the renter to resubmit. A resubmission generates a new snapshot reflecting their current profile. There's no extra fee for the renter as long as their Renter Passport is still active (30 days from initial verification).
- Message the renter through Clara's messaging portal. For smaller updates, this is faster than a resubmit. The messages stay attached to the application so you have a record of what was shared.
"I received references by email separately, after the application was already submitted." This is by design. References complete their questionnaires on their own timeline, often after the renter has already applied. When new responses come in, Clara emails them to you directly so you receive the information as soon as it's available — even though it won't appear on the original application snapshot.
Many landlords have told us they prefer this flow because it means they don't have to wait for every reference before reviewing the rest of the application.
"The renter told me they added a guarantor — why isn't it on their application?" Because the guarantor was added after submission. Guarantors are linked to a specific application at the moment of submission, so adding one later requires the renter to resubmit. Ask them to start a new application with the guarantor invited on step one. You'll receive a new snapshot that includes the guarantor's verification once they complete it.
"The same renter submitted multiple times — which one should I review?" The most recent submission reflects the renter's current profile and is generally the one to focus on. Earlier submissions remain in your dashboard so you have a record of how the application evolved, but the latest snapshot is the most accurate picture of the renter today.
If the difference between submissions isn't clear, message the renter through Clara's portal to ask what changed. Common reasons for resubmission include adding a guarantor, refreshing income verification, or providing updated documentation.
"What if I want to see the renter's most current information without asking for a resubmit?" Use the messaging portal. You can ask the renter directly about anything you need clarification on, request additional documentation, or ask them to share specific updates. Communication stays attached to the application so it's documented alongside the snapshot.
For substantive changes — new income, a guarantor, a refreshed credit report — a resubmission is the cleanest path because it generates a new snapshot you can evaluate against.
How to Request Additional Information
When you need information that isn't on the application:
- Use Clara's messaging portal for questions, clarifications, or specific document requests
- Request a resubmission when the renter has substantive updates to share (additional income, a guarantor, refreshed verifications)
- Contact references directly if you want to follow up on what you received — full contact information is included in the application
Why This Works in Your Favor
The snapshot model exists to protect you:
- A fixed record of your decision-making basis — what you reviewed is what you reviewed, full stop
- Cleaner audit trail if questions about a screening decision ever come up
- Predictable application content — no surprise changes appearing on applications you already evaluated
- Direct visibility into resubmissions — when a renter updates and resubmits, you see both versions and can compare
Questions about how applications work? Contact support@rentwithclara.com