Back to: Finding Your Place: Overcoming Barriers in Rental Housing

Applications are the first formal step in the rental process and it is very important you take them seriously.

• Be Prepared: Before reaching the application stage, ensure you’ve gathered all necessary information and documentation. This prep work significantly boosts your chances of acceptance by addressing possible roadblocks in a pro-active manner. Just by putting together this documentation you are setting yourself apart from other applicants and showing that you understand the process and are prepared to work hard to find and maintain housing.
• Communicate First: Before submitting your application, make an effort to speak with the landlord or property manager. This conversation can give you insights into your chances of being accepted and establish a positive initial contact. You should have this conversation before submitting an application. Go over the challenges you have with your background and ask if those will disqualify you from renting, even if they say yes, that saves you time and possibly money with the application fee, so that is a positive. ALWAYS ask if they know of anyone else who is renting who might accept you based on your history. You want to always ask for help, people can really surprise you with their willingness to assist, and landlords are usually well connected with other landlords and may know of someone who could accept you even with any background issues.
• Know the Law: Familiarize yourself with your state’s laws regarding application fees. Specifically, find out if these fees are refundable under certain conditions, such as if a background check isn’t performed or the unit is leased to another applicant before your application is processed. ASK if the application fee is refundable if you do not get the unit, or if they could review your application before submitting the background/credit check and let you know if it would be rejected, saving you and the landlord time and money.
• Be Honest: Integrity is key in your rental application. Lying can lead to immediate rejection once the truth comes out. Be upfront about any potential issues; honesty can sometimes lead to discussions on how to mitigate those concerns. Being honest does not mean you need to disclose every single issue, challenge or condition. Be direct and brief on any challenges, do not blame others, take accountability. Saying something like “I have had issues in the past, I have addressed the behavior and decisions that led to those issues and have learned from my mistakes and they will not happen again.” Being accountable and mature will always go further than trying to blame others or the system.
• Attach Documents: If the application process allows for it, attach all relevant documentation. This can include proof of income, rental history, references, or any other paperwork that supports your application. If attaching documents isn’t an option, directly discuss with the landlord or property manager how they can review your prepared documents. Remember our earlier task, get the packet to the landlord BEFORE you submit your application, but if there is a place to attach it again, you should do that (either paper or electronic.)

When looking for a rental, it’s important to consider potential issues that might make you a less desirable tenant. For example:

• If you don’t have any pets, make sure to highlight this fact to landlords. Many landlords prefer tenants without pets due to potential damage or noise issues.
• If your primary income is nontraditional, consider getting a part-time job that provides regular pay stubs. This can help reassure landlords that you have a stable source of income.
• Be willing to follow the rules of the rental property, such as not smoking inside or complying with noise restrictions. This can demonstrate to landlords that you are responsible and respectful of their property and other tenants.
• Consider offering to take care of certain tasks or responsibilities at the rental property, such as landscaping or minor repairs. This can help show landlords that you are willing to be a proactive and helpful tenant.

Additional Note:  It’s generally not necessary or recommended for renters to disclose possible background issues on the first contact with a landlord or property manager. It’s important to remember that you have legal protections as a tenant which may protect you from being discriminated against based on factors such as your credit score, criminal record, or immigration status.  These factors can vary from state to state and even City to City so it is important to know what your local regulations are (searching online or contacting your local housing authority for resources is a good first step.

This video goes over important points including how the landlord views the application process and will be valuable in understanding what you should and should not do as well as red flags to watch out for as a tenant.