Ready to make your next move? After you tour apartments and decide on your top choice, you need to apply and get approved for your next apartment. It’s typically a straightforward process, but sometimes landlords with strict requirements or fierce competition for units in your new neighborhood can create obstacles. But, don’t worry. We outlined all the steps you need to take to get approved for your new digs, from filling out the application to gathering the right documents and beyond.
Take a look at the steps below and prepare to score your new home.
Filling Out the Application
Filling out the rental application is the first (and, arguably, most important) step to getting approved. Set aside enough time to fill out the application completely and accurately. You can expect an application to require the following items:
- Contact information,
- Social security number,
- Driver’s license or state identification card,
- Current and past rental information,
- Employment information (including salary), and
- Personal references.
Every application differs, but plan to spend anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours on your application. Once you gather your information, keep it in one place to make future applications easier.
Do you own a pet? Be prepared to fill out a separate pet application with information about your animal’s vaccines, registration, and other important information.
How Much Does It Cost?
Rental application fees vary by state and city, but in general, they cost between $30 and $75 per applicant. When deciding who to rent to, landlords run a background and credit check and put applicants through a screening process to ensure the candidate will pay their rent on time and keep the unit free from damage. Your application fee covers the cost and helps you secure your ideal apartment.
What Documents Do You Need to Get Approved for an Apartment?
Rental applications require a lot of paperwork – and a lot of time to gather necessary documents. The good news is, once you create a folder with all of the documents in it, it should expedite the application process for any apartment you apply to. You will likely need to show the following items to the landlord or leasing staff:
- Personal identification (driver’s license or state identification card);
- Proof of income, such as a pay stub or bank statement;
- Credit history or credit report;
- Rental history (proof of rent payments from previous homes);
- Landlord references or personal references;
- Proof of renter’s insurance;
- Pet documents, including vaccine records, registration, etc.
Do You Need to Get a Credit Check?
Your potential landlord will run a credit check when you send in your application, so you likely don’t need to run your own credit check. That said, many buildings view your credit score as an important factor in the application process. Typically, landlords or rental companies look at your score to determine your debt load and find out whether you tend to make your payments on time.
While some apartments will consider your credit score, others may be flexible with your credit score as long as your finances are solid. So, don’t let concerns about your credit background keep you from applying for an apartment, you still might get approved if the rest of your application looks strong.
How Long Does It Take to Get Approved for an Apartment?
Once you fill out an apartment application, waiting for a response raises feelings of anticipation and excitement, possibly even anxiety, but not for too long. Luckily, most landlords and rental companies turn around approvals within 24 to 72 hours. This process tends to go faster if you provide all the necessary information upfront. If the owner needs to ask you for additional information, it will delay the process. To ensure you get an answer as quickly as possible, fill out the application completely, respond quickly to any questions, and have a co-signer at the ready if necessary.
What Problems Might Arise?
Most people get approved for an apartment without any hiccups. But sometimes, applications hit a snag due to both foreseeable and unforeseeable circumstances. A delay in receiving your credit history, difficulty proving employment history, or even business closures during long weekends or holidays can slow down or halt the process. If you know of any potential problems with your own background, such as bad credit, nontraditional employment, a criminal record, etc., state those concerns from the beginning to avoid surprises and make those complications easier to manage. For problems outside of your control, you might need to roll with the punches, but you can reduce any challenges by remaining responsive, transparent, and on top of each step in the application process.
Did your application get approved? Congratulations! Now, it’s time to move. Read our tips on how to choose a moving company and what steps to take next.
Get Free Support with Your Apartment Hunt and Lease Application
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