Apartment Rental Application: 11 Items You’ll Need
- To submit an apartment application, you may need the following items: Driver’s license, identification, pay stubs, proof of residence, bank statements and rental history
- Non-U.S. citizens can still rent apartments but may need a few extra documents
- Get all your documents together before you begin your search; competition for renting an apartment is fierce and you don’t want to miss out
What do I need for my rental application?
Your rental application should also include:
- The amount of the application processing fee (and whether it’s refundable)
- Holding deposit paid by the applicant and the total holding deposit (if applicable)
- Address of the residence being held (if applicable)
What information does a rental application require?
Your rental application doesn’t collect enough information
- All previous residence history. Many lease applications ask only for basic information on current residence and stop there. ...
- Detailed employment/income information. When looking at employment information, you need to make sure applicants have a steady and verifiable income. ...
- Other occupants.
How to get a rental application approved?
“Normally, if you go talk with a real estate agent or property manager, they will be able to look at your work history and finances and help you get approved to get into a rental,” says Lana Lavenbarg, a Realtor® with Re/Max Ideal Brokers in Grants Pass, OR.
What to bring to submit a rental application?
You must bring these items with you to your appointment in order to be seen:
- You last 4 consecutive pay check stubs, or a notarized statement of your proof of income
- Social Security award letter
- Most recent bank statement
- Child Support form completed from the Child Support Office
- Award letter for Food Stamps and/or TANF
- Photo ID for every member of the household 18 years and older
What makes you stand out on a rental application?
References – provide a minimum of 3 references that can vouch for your tenancy record and character. Bank statements – provide current bank records with a sufficient balance that will show you're fully capable of meeting the rental payment requirement for a few months.
What is a good credit score to get an apartment?
620 or higherIt's simply a business decision. Most individuals or companies renting an apartment want credit scores from applicants to be 620 or higher. People with credit scores lower than 620 may indicate a high risk of default on rent owed.
What to say when applying to rentals?
Be professional, but not so overly formal that your personality doesn't shine through. Give a brief rundown of your rental history, and make sure to mention any special circumstances such as pets. If you're renting with pets, mention their training, behavior and age.
What do you need to rent an apartment in California?
What You Need to Rent an ApartmentProof of Identification. You should have identification such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or green card to confirm your identity and residency. ... Proof of Income. ... Recommendation Letters. ... Vehicle Registration & Proof of Insurance. ... Rental History. ... Checkbook.
How do you fail a credit check for renting?
Tenants often fail credit checks because their salary is deemed too low for them to comfortably afford the rent. Agencies will expect their gross pay to be at least twice the rent, sometimes as high as three times the rent, and they will automatically fail anyone earning less.
What credit report do landlords use?
They look for prior evictions, your debt load and significant credit mishaps to determine whether you are likely to pay your rent on time each month. There are three different credit bureaus a landlord may use to run a credit check -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
How do I convince my landlord to rent me?
Here are six strategies that will help you make your case:Look only for places you can afford. A landlord's No. ... Know your credit history. Having enough income to qualify for the rental is just the first step. ... Have enough cash in the bank. ... Dress up. ... Be on time. ... Don't hide your doggy, kitty or cockatoo.
What should you not say when renting an apartment?
So know what to say—and what not to say—before you ever do a walk-through....'I hate my current landlord' Every potential landlord is going to ask why you're moving. ... 'Let me ask you one more question' ... 'I can't wait to get a puppy' ... 'My partner works right up the street' ... 'I move all the time'
What should I put as reason for leaving on rental application?
10 Common Reasons Renters MoveCannot Afford the Rent.Apartment Too Small.Apartment Too Large.Job Change/Relocation.Maintenance Issues.Problems With Neighbors.Want to Change Neighborhood.Separation/Divorce/Marriage.More items...•
Do I make 2.5 times the rent?
Some communities use a 3 times rent calculator formula, meaning a renter's monthly income should be at least 3 times what goes to paying rent. At REE, we recommended that your income is at least 2.5 times your monthly rent amount.
What documents can a landlord ask for in California?
This is why we have created a list of necessary documents that every California landlord needs to keep in an easy to find file....10 Most Important California Landlord Documents to Keep On HandMove-in Checklist. ... Application. ... Emergency Contact. ... Lease. ... Addenda. ... Lease Renewal Letter. ... Mortgage and Improvements. ... Utilities.More items...•
Can a landlord ask for bank statements California?
Landlords can ask for information such as pay stubs or bank account statements to prove that you are able to afford the rent. Landlords can't force you to provide this information.
Can I get an apartment with a 650 credit score?
Most agreed that you need a credit score of at least 650 to snag an apartment without any additional hurdles, like extra deposits, guarantors, or paying extra months of rent in advance.
What is the lowest credit score to rent an apartment?
620What Credit Score Do You Need To Rent an Apartment? While a FICO credit score from 580-669 is considered fair credit, 620 is often the minimum credit score you'll need to rent an apartment. If your score is lower than 620, it could be more difficult to rent an apartment.
Is 700 a good credit score?
FICO credit scores, the industry standard for sizing up credit risk, range from 300 to a perfect 850—with 670 to 739 labeled “good,” 740-799 “very good” and 800 to 850 “exceptional.” A 700 score places you right in the middle of the good range, but still slightly below the average credit score of 711.
Is 650 a good credit score?
A FICO score of 650 is considered fair—better than poor, but less than good. It falls below the national average FICO® Score of 710, and solidly within the fair score range of 580 to 669.
What information does a landlord need to obtain?
There are quite a few pieces of information that a landlord needs to obtain through a rental application. Along with the items listed below, any rental application should include a clear authorization for the landlord to contact current and former employers and landlords, as well as permission to run credit and criminal background checks on the applicant. Federal law also requires landlords to attach the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Disclosure to the application. This details a tenant’s rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.2
What is a rental application?
A rental application is a form that landlords can use to vet potential tenants for an available rental unit. It collects details from the applicant, including, but not limited to, contact information, employment, household information, income details, personal information, and residential history.1 It also usually gives the landlord consent to use the information to run a background check and obtain a consumer report on the applicant. Once you have a landlord approved a rental application, they can move forward with writing and executing a formal lease agreement.
Why are rental applications important?
First and foremost, they collect all of the information and consent needed to run credit and background checks on applicants. Second , they tend to filter out potential tenants that are not actually serious about renting the available unit. Finally, they assure a landlord that the applicant can pay their rent consistently and maintain the rental unit.2
What is unintentional rental discrimination?
Unintentional rental discrimination is indirect. For example, creating rules in a rental property that discourage households with young children to apply is considered rental discrimination.
What is the federal fair housing act?
The Federal Fair Housing Act applies to any person or entity that provides housing to other persons, including banks, landlords, municipalities, and real estate companies. Exemptions apply to owner-occupied buildings with four or less units; single family homes that are for rent or sale by the owner; and housing that is provided and managed by a religious group or private club.11
Is there a fee for submitting a rental application?
It is common for landlords to charge a fee for submitting a rental application. Generally they are non-refundable and cover the associated “hard” and “soft” expenses of tenant screenings. Hard expenses include the real costs of running credit and background checks, while soft expenses include the administrative time it takes for the landlord to review applications, credit, and background checks.3
Do landlords have to consult with their state?
Landlords should always consult the specific laws in their state regarding fee amounts. Some states set limits on the amount a landlord can charge, while others permit landlords to charge market-based fees.1
What Information Should I Require in my Rental Application?
Even a bare bones application with little more than personal contact info can be cross-referenced against a credit report to weed out many of the more obvious bad apples. But a rental application offers you an opportunity for much more. By requesting the right info and asking the right questions, you can greatly increase your chances of finding the right tenant.
What is a Rental Application?
A rental application is simply a form that requests preliminary information about a tenant. It can be paper or digital. There are pros and cons to each method of collection, so be sure you’ve carefully considered your clientele and the way in which they typically find your property. Generally, the requested information in an application includes things like former residences, identification numbers (driver’s license and / or SSN) and monthly income. A rental application also provides a landlord with an opportunity to obtain written permission to run a credit check. But keep in mind, a rental application in no way guarantees a renter a right to a property. To put it frankly, a rental application is a non-binding agreement used to evaluate tenant eligibility and assist with the tenant screening process.
What are legal disclosures?
Since you will be digging quite a bit into a tenant’s personal information, there are legal disclosures that you should include in your rental application to make certain you’re abiding by the law and keeping yourself and the applicant’s data protected.
What information do you need to rent a house?
There is standard information that you should absolutely require from tenants in your rental application. The first is basic applicant contact information . You’ll want to ask for a tenant’s full legal name, their cell phone number, and their email address.
What is liability in credit?
Liability – to release yourself from any consequences that may arise from screening the applicant while running a credit or background check.
What are move in requirements?
Move-In Requirements – to let the tenant know what would be required of them if they are approved and before they are given keys. Examples include paying all move-in fees, deposits, transferring utilities…etc.
What is a holding fee?
Holding Fee – to provide the terms of when the security deposit must be paid to guarantee their position if they are approved. If the tenant fails to supply the holding fee for the rental within the specified time period, they should be made aware that the rental will be available to other applicants.
How to rent an apartment before you get off your couch?
If possible, go online and fill out an application to rent an apartment before you even get off your couch.
Why do landlords ask for pay stubs?
Landlords ask to see your pay stubs to make sure you're employed and are truthful about the amount of money you're making. (Remember, the landlord's first concern is whether you'll pay your rent). If you don't earn enough money, letting you move in is a terrible financial decision on their part: Landlords typically only accept tenants for whom the rental price is 30% or less of their income.
What do you need to rent an apartment if you don't have a driver's license?
If you don't have a driver's license, a state ID, passport, or green card can show you are who you say you are and can legally live there.
What do landlords need to know when bringing a car?
5. Vehicle registration and proof of insurance. If you're bringing a car with you, the landlord needs to know what cars to expect on the property full time. Some buildings have a limited number of parking spaces per unit, so landlords want to make sure only the approved vehicles are in the lot.
What does a recommendation mean in an apartment?
Recommendations. A recommendation shows that you were a good tenant in a previous apartment community. You don't usually have to get an actual letter. Most landlords will accept basic information about your last apartments, such as the property manager's contact information so that they can call.
How to show your pet is a good animal citizen?
Be prepared to show that your pet is a good animal citizen and would fit into your apartment community. Bring along references as well as proof of vaccinations (often required). The landlord may even do a pet screening.
How much of your income should you spend on rent?
You may have heard this 30 percent rule before, as in, you don't want to spend more than 30 percent of your gross income on rent. It's not a hard and fast rule — developed way before crushing student loan debt came into the picture for many people. Do the math before you start your search and determine what is going to work for your budget.
Who Should Complete a Rental Application?
All interested tenants should complete the rental application. If the person will be living in the rental property or paying any part of the rent (like parents of students or guarantors), then they should complete an application. From a legal perspective, this shows that you treat all applicants the same and are not being discriminatory.
What Questions Should I Ask on the Rental Application?
Your rental application should request an applicant’s contact information, residential history, current employer, and if they have any pets. While you can always create an application from scratch, Avail offers comprehensive lease applications that include all the important questions and can be bundled with a credit and background check.
Should I Include a Tenant Credit Report?
However, a credit report includes their payment history and insights on whether or not they’re reliable with making payments.
Why do landlords skip credit report?
Some landlords skip this report because they don’t necessarily view the relationship between them and the tenant the way they really should — as a creditor to the tenant.
Why does Avail use TransUnion?
Avail uses TransUnion to eliminate the need for sharing sensitive information like social security numbers, which helps tenants feel more secure and takes the pressure of handling sensitive personal information off of the landlord. We also ask for a phone number and email address for any regular communication.
What is the meat of the screening process?
The real meat of the screening process is the rental application . We’ll talk about what should be on the rental application, who should fill it out, and how you should use the information provided by the prospective tenants to help make your decision easier.
Why do you need a tenant background check?
Why get a tenant background check? It all comes down to minimizing your risk exposure. If something illegal happens on your property, you may be held liable, whether you do the background check or not.
Why Do Rental Applications Ask for a Bank Account Number?
Landlords use your bank account number to check if you 1) have a bank account to begin with and 2) that you make enough money to pay for rent by reaching out to the bank for confirmation of funds. A bank account number can be provided instead of a W-2 form or pay stubs.
Should I Put My Social Security Number on a Rental Application?
While landlords are legally able to ask for an applicant’s social security number, you’re still able to inquire into the landlord’s or property manager’s privacy policies to see how your number will be used, who will have access to it, and how it will be kept secure.
Who Can Be a Co-Signer For Renting an Apartment?
If you don’t have a stable income, one that isn’t enough for rent, or a poor credit history, you will likely have to add a co-signer to the lease. But who can be a co-signer?
How does Avail work?
Avail makes it easier to send your renter information to multiple landlords without fees. Simply create a Renter Profile, fill out your rental application information, and start sharing.
How to contact a landlord about a rental property?
In order for the landlord to get in contact with you about the rental property, you’ll need to provide your email address and phone number. In some cases, a landlord might also ask you to list an emergency contact — usually a family member or close friend — so you’ll need to provide their name, email, and phone number, as well.
What is a credit reference?
A credit reference includes documentation that describes your credit health and history to lenders or landlords and helps prove your creditworthiness and reliability when it comes to making your monthly rent payments.
Why do you need to fill out a rental application?
Properly filling out a rental application is essential to securing the rental property you want. Failing to include the requested information or putting false information can result in your application being denied. To help you get approved for your next place, here’s how to fill out a rental application in six steps.
What personal information should be included?
In the personal information section, an applicant should include their name and contact information as well as any details you would need to run credit and background checks. It’s important to make sure that your rental application doesn’t request any protected information, such as the applicant’s age, sexual orientation, gender, or race. You may be able to ask for their age if you are renting a home in a community that restricts by age, such as a senior living community, or if you need that detail to verify their identity.
Why do landlords need to use a rental application?
Rental applications are essential for landlords, as they allow potential renters to provide the information needed to determine whether they are good candidates to rent a home. Whether you own or manage a rental property, a key element of your success hinges on your ability to find and rent to reliable, trustworthy renters. In order to find those renters, you need the right applicant and screening process. Using a rental application as part of that process helps both you and the potential renters.
What is a rental application?
A rental application is a document that a potential renter fills out when requesting consideration to rent a house, apartment, or other living space. This document should include the renter’s personal information, residential history, employment and income details, household information, and background information.
What is the final step in renting out a property?
The final step in renting out a property is creating the rental agreement with terms that you both can agree to and having it signed by the new renter. Once this step is complete, you now have a renter under contract who is legally responsible for paying the rent. The process begins with a thorough rental application, so make sure your document includes the information you need to make an informed decision.
What to include in disclosure section of rent?
Other details to add to the disclosure section include any applicable fees, such as application processing or background check fees, and the required deposit amount. You should also outline whether the deposit is refundable and if you require the payment of any rent upon move-in, such as first and last months’ rent.
What is residential history?
A residential history section of a rental application outlines the applicant’s previous living situations, including any properties that they previously rented or owned. In order to gain a full picture of the person applying to live in your unit, you should request their current address, any previous addresses at which they lived in the last few years, and the dates they lived in each location. You may also request the names and contact details for their previous landlords and why they moved out of their previous residences.
Do landlords have to do background checks?
As a landlord, you must also obtain permission from applicants to run background and credit checks, contact their employer, and contact their previous landlords as references. Be sure your rental application includes a disclosure section that highlights what steps you will take to verify the information they provided. Review all landlord-tenant laws in your area as you word your disclosure, as you want to be sure that the section doesn’t include any information that doesn’t comply with fair housing laws and the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
What is a rental history alert?
To alert landlords if any issues have come up with prior landlords or other tenants in the past.
How to determine if a prospective tenant is a good financial risk?
To determine whether the prospective tenant is a good financial risk. 1) For a secondary contact if tenant is unavailable. 2) For contact in an emergency. For rental units with parking lots, to ensure that only authorized vehicles (tenants) are using the lots.
What is a rental application?
Rental applications are designed to help landlords find the best tenants for their rental properties. They do this by asking questions related to a tenant’s financial stability, prior rental experiences, and sometimes criminal history.
What is rental property information?
Rental Property Information. To be clear about who owns the rental property, which unit the application is for, who the manager/landlord is, and how to contact someone at the rental property. Roommate Information. To ensure landlords are not violating state or federal occupancy guidelines.
Why is it bad to deny an application?
Here are a few reasons it could be acceptable to deny an application: Application form isn’t complete. Poor credit score (must be the same standard for all applicants) Poor rental history/bad references. Criminal record (as long as the landlord doesn’t use a “blanket policy”) Sex offender registry status.
How long does it take to return a rental application?
“Return within three business days for rental application to be considered.”
What to do if tenant is unsure about rental application?
If a tenant’s unsure how to get a rental application for a unit they’re interested in, they should ask the landlord.
What is financial information section?
The “Financial Information” section will supply a place where the Prospective Tenant can produce his or her Banking and Credit Card Information. Enough room for the Applicant to record the Name of the Name of the Financial Institution where he or she banks on the blank line labeled “Bank,” his or her “Account #” there, the “Routing #” associated with that Account, the “Branch Location” where that bank may be found, and two checkboxes (“Checking” and “Savings” so the Applicant may indicate the “Type” of Account being reported on.
What happens if a landlord denies a tenant?
If Denied – The landlord will need to send a Rejection Letter to inform the applicant.
What is a rental application in Washington?
Create Document. A rental application allows a landlord to collect a tenant’s personal and employment information and obtains their consent to run consumer reports. The tenant may be required to pay a non-refundable fee that is usually equal to the landlord’s cost of obtaining a credit and background check.
What is the current employment section of a property manager?
The “Current Employment” section presents an area where the Prospective Tenant can report his or her earning power. First, he or she should Name the “Company” where he or she works as well as report on the “Occupation/Title” he or she holds there using the first two spaces under the “Current Employment” heading.
What is the FCRA form?
Attached to it is the required Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Disclosure detailing the tenant’s rights. Once this form has been completed by the tenant it should be returned to the landlord and along with the application fee.
What credit score do you need to be a tenant?
If the tenant generally has a credit score of 620 , a stable job/income, with no blemishes on their criminal history then the tenant has a good chance of approval by the landlord.
How long does it take to get a copy of a tenant's consumer report?
If rejected, the tenant will receive a rejection letter stating where they can obtain a free copy of their consumer report within 60 days (in accordance with 15 § 1681m (a) (4) ).
