Submitting a renter’s application can be a seminal moment in your life – maybe you’re moving out of the college dorm room and are finding an apartment of your own for the first time. Maybe you’re moving into a new city and the renter’s application represents the first time you’re putting your new life down on paper.
Or, heck, maybe you’re just moving.
Whatever the reason for the renter’s application, we can be sure of one thing: what you put in it is important. This is more true the higher the standards of your new potential place of living will be – in some apartments, getting accepted to pay rent can be a difficult task indeed. We’ll help you understand what to put in your renter’s application so that you look professional, capable of paying rent, and prove that you’re an ideal tenant.
A Recommendation from a Previous Landlord
You’d be surprised just how important this recommendation from a previous landlord can be. In some places, you might be expected to show that your previous landlord found you to be a prompt payer of rent and someone who kept their apartment in good condition. Having this down in writing from a third party is essentially evidence that you’ll be good in your role as tenant in your new dwelling. If you were applying for a job, this would be like having a reference to fall back on.
Some places might require some sort of written notice from a landlord in the past, and another may not. In general, it’s good to have a “template letter” provided from your previous landlord so you can send these letters out at your discretion. Of course, that requires that you actually be a good tenant.
Income Information and Other Personal Details
Filling out a rental application often comes with a few responsibilities that don’t always make you comfortable. Providing a pay stub from your place of work can be one of those things – your new landlord wants to ensure that you have the income necessary to make rent payments regularly. It’s understandable, and if you’re required to do so, you should certainly do so.
What if you have an income that isn’t so outstanding? Its okay: send through your application anyway. Ask if there’s a way you can work with the landlords for a reduced rent or some such agreement. When you realize that the most you have to lose is getting turned down for one apartment, you’ll realize it’s not such a major risk after all.
If you really want to win over a landlord, be sure that you go above and beyond their necessary questions. In some cases, just being a paying, careful tenant will be enough to land you a new place. But in other cases, you’ll have to be even more vigilant about landing the new place – just like you might have to really be proactive to find a great job and great career. Take a proactive approach and you’ll be fine.