Renting an apartment isn't as easy as waltzing in and saying “I'll take it!”—particularly in today's competitive rental market. With many prospective tenants to choose from, landlords can be picky, and they will prioritize applicants with a track record of paying off debts and respecting their neighbors and community.
In some cities, the odds of getting denied for an apartment can be as high as 30% or more, making it essential to understand why applications get rejected and how you can improve your chances of securing your ideal rental.
Renting, especially on a short-term basis, can sometimes come with higher monthly costs due to the increased flexibility it offers the landlord. For instance, a studio apartment for rent on a month-to-month basis might be more expensive per month than the same apartment under a lease agreement.
The application will ask you for the following information: your place of employment, past employers, names and addresses of your current and past landlords, your Social Security number, driver's license number and authorization for the landlord to run a background and credit check.
Follow these nine steps, and you'll be ready to tackle the renting process with confidence. Determine your budget. Identify your priorities. Ensure you have a good credit score. Search for an apartment. Take an apartment tour. Submit your rental application. Complete a background check. Read and sign the lease.
You must fill out a rental application and get it approved before renting an apartment. The application will ask for documentation of any previous rental history, personal references, proof of your income, and where you work. You'll give the property manager permission to run your credit history.
Housing (rent or mortgage) should not be more than 1/3 of your income before taxes. If you work full time (40 hours) at $12 per hour, that's $2000 per month, so you shouldn't spend more than $667 per month on housing. That's definitely going to restrict where you can live.
Renting, especially on a short-term basis, can sometimes come with higher monthly costs due to the increased flexibility it offers the landlord. For instance, a studio apartment for rent on a month-to-month basis might be more expensive per month than the same apartment under a lease agreement.
While there's no universal minimum credit score to rent an apartment, landlords generally prefer applicants with a good credit score, which is at least 670.