Congratulations! You’ve decided on the perfect place to rent, you have saved for the deposit, and are ready to start packing and move in. But before you can, you need to apply for the rental and get accepted. Here’s what to prepare for a rental application. By preparing these documents and information in advance, you can streamline the rental application process and increase your chances of securing the rental property you want.
Employment Details and Personal Income
Landlords want to ensure their potential tenants will be able to cover rent each month, and so they ask for your employment information and about your monthly income. These details include the name of your current employer, your job title, and how long you have been employed.
Rental History
If this isn’t your first rental, the landlord will want to know your previous rental addresses, the names and contact details of former landlords or property managers, and potentially, why you left that rental (or if you were evicted). This gives the landlord an idea of what kind of tenant you would be, and if you have been evicted before, it might give a reason to deny your application.
To ensure these references can vouch for your character, contact them in advance and let them know they might be reached out to. This preparation can help provide a positive impression and support your application.
References
You will want to prepare several references, both personal and professional (former landlords are a great option!) and their contact information. Ideally, these will be references that can attest to your personal character and reliability, and address any lingering concerns your landlord might have.
Credit Check
Your credit score can easily be obtained online, and landlords also use it to check your reliability. They want to know if you can afford to pay rent and if you have a history of paying your bills on time and in full. If you’re still new at building your credit, you can prove a history of paying your bills on time with bank statements instead, so a low credit score doesn’t always mean your application gets denied.
Tips
Be Honest: Provide accurate information throughout your application. Misrepresenting yourself or your information, like your income, can be a justification for ending a tenancy agreement by the landlord.
Be Prompt: Submit your application as soon as possible after viewing the property to show your interest.
Follow-up: If you haven’t heard back within a reasonable timeframe, politely inquire about the status of your application.
Are you looking to enter the real estate market this summer? Give us a call today! One of the experienced agents at Zoocasa will be more than happy to help you through the exciting home-buying process!
