Whether it’s for your first apartment or you’re a seasoned renter, you will need to complete a lease application to rent an apartment. Many apartment complexes remove the pain points from this process by offering online applications. Still, whether it’s virtual or in-person, there is information you will need to have on hand to satisfy the financial requirements and prove that you will be a responsible tenant. To keep it simple, scan everything into a PDF for easy reference.
Documents You’ll May Need:
Pay Stubs or Bank Statements
Your landlord will need to know that you can pay your rent and utilities every month. Have at least two months of pay stubs and bank statements ready to submit. If you’ve just been hired for a new job, present a copy of your job offer letter.
Rental History
Provide the names of previous landlords, how long you lived on their properties, and why you moved. If you have no rental history or a previous eviction, offer to pay a larger deposit or ask a parent, guardian, or other trusted party to serve as your co-signer. Smaller, independent landlords may be more willing to take a risk on a first-time renter or a potential renter with an eviction history. If you had uneventful relationships with previous landlords, ask them for a letter of reference.
Official photo ID
You will need a photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or other valid ID, to accompany your rental application.
Proof of Renters’ Insurance
Property management companies require residents to carry renters’ insurance. If you already have renters’ insurance, you can transfer it to the new property. If you don’t carry it, talk to your car insurance agent. You should be able to bundle your auto and renters’ insurance and possibly receive a discount. If you don’t have renters’ insurance, don’t let the property management company talk you into buying it from them. In most cases, you’ll be paying more for coverage that may not be as good as what you’ll get from obtaining it directly from an insurance company.
Social Security Number
You’ll need this for the landlord to run a background check. As a reminder, you’ll need to pay for the background check. There is no way around this one. If you try to rent from a property management company that doesn’t require background checks, run!
Credit Report
Some landlords may request a credit report, especially if you don’t have a rental history or have been previously evicted (for nonpayment of rent). Having a good credit report will help prove that you are a responsible resident and have the financial resources to pay your monthly rent.
This list isn’t all-inclusive but is a good starting point. Rental requirements may vary by property management company. By being prepared, you can easily navigate rental applications, especially if you’re interested in multiple properties. Having relevant information readily available will make the online application a breeze. If you’re applying in person, your potential landlord will surely be impressed by how well-prepared and organized you are, which will demonstrate that you will be a responsible resident. Good luck!
Explore a Vision Community Apartment
At Vision Communities, we make the application process easy. Our property management staff is here to manage all of the details that make this a great place to live. Our spacious studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, and 3 bedroom apartment layouts provide cozy space. Check out our luxurious apartment floor plans in one of our communities and enjoy life at the VC.
Schedule a tour today and see why Vision Communities is a great place to live.