Even during the housing bubble, finding a good apartment for rent was far from easy. Since then, things have gotten much harder.
If you’re a potential renter, you’re facing an uphill battle from the start. With so many people looking to rent, you need something to stand out. One way to do it: make your rental application as appealing as possible.
Not sure what you need to focus on? Here’s a short guide that will tell you all about how to get approved for an apartment.
Include a Cover Letter
Contrary to popular opinion, cover letters aren’t only useful for job applications. They can also help when applying for an apartment. Use your cover letter to touch on:
• Why you want to move in
• What makes you a good tenant
• Your renter history and employment situation
A cover letter shouldn’t be too long. All you want to do is include a few paragraphs to give the landlord reason to believe you’re a nice fit.
Share Your Best References
Sharing references is a great way to lower your chances of getting denied for an apartment. It tells the landlord that you’re a good candidate, both personally and financially. That said, not all references come equal.
The two key references you should include are from your former landlord and employer. The former proves you take good care of a rental property, and the latter vouches for your income and professionalism.
Include All Relevant Documentation
Renting an apartment requires a lot of documentation. The last thing you want to do is make your landlord chase you down for something you missed. Relevant documentation includes:
• Driver’s license
• Social Security number
• Bank statements
• Paystubs
• Rental history
• Job history
Even if it turns out you don’t need all this, it’s better to be safe than sorry. By including everything right away, you make the landlord’s job easier.
Know What Landlords Want
How hard is it to get approved for an apartment? If you’re not flexible with your move-in date, it’s harder than it should be. Many landlords want tenants to move in during the warmer months to reduce property damage risks.
Another way to make the landlord happy: consider the resident-to-bedroom ratio. When there are too many people living at a property, controlling liability risks becomes much harder.
Check Your Credit
Getting denied for an apartment because of credit isn’t a good feeling. This is particularly true if it comes as a surprise. Before sending an application, check your rental report on https://rentsafe.lease/rental-history-report/.
If your credit is good, there’s nothing to worry about. As for how to get approved for an apartment with bad credit, consider getting a co-signer on your lease. You can also try to repair your credit by paying off your debt.
This Is How to Get Approved for an Apartment
Whether you’re an experienced renter or doing it for the first time, you need to come prepared. The best way to do that is to go the extra mile on your application. Follow the above tips and you should see results!
Want to know even more about how to get approved for an apartment? Keep checking out our property-related content!
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