Hundreds of people are likely to be looking at every property you have your eye on. This means you need a perfect application for a rental form that gets the landlord’s attention from the start. Here’s how to stand out from the crowd when applying to your next home.
Complete Everything on Time
You won’t have long to complete the application — especially for a high-demand home. Owners and managers reserve the right to close the listing at any time. This means any home you have your eyes on might be on a “first come, first served” basis.
Get your documents together as soon as you can. For example, make sure you have a copy of your ID ready. Study pre-made templates, so you know (roughly) what to expect from an owner’s own agreement. If the landlord lets you use your own documents, this is even better.
Don’t leave any useful documents out of the application pack. Everything from your credit score to your pet resume could change the final outcome. A prompt, complete submission also shows you’re serious about wanting the property.
Perfect Your Rental Application
Following on from this, you’ll need to know exactly what your application needs. This is the only way you can get peace of mind that you have everything to hand. Here’s a quick rundown of the main requirements:
- Basic details, including your full name, phone number, and email address.
- Photographic ID (i.e., a passport or driver’s license) to prove your identity.
- An emergency contact number in case the landlord needs to get in touch.
- Your rental history — including contact details for your previous landlords.
- Reasons for ending the last tenancy. Did it end in an eviction, for example?
- Your credit score (and possibly a credit report) should show you can pay debts.
- Details of your employment, including the company name and your salary.
- A tax return if you’re an independent contractor with no set yearly income.
- Personal and professional references that show you as a model renter.
- Further background information — including if you have a criminal record.
You should again consider a pre-made template. These come with all of the above as standard, while also accommodating any state-specific laws or guidance.
Write a Personal Statement
Standing out is all about going beyond what you should do. There are certain extra add-ons that can help your chances — even if they aren’t requirements. For example, you could include your own written statement. This gives you a chance to explain why you want to rent the property.
Character references and credit scores always help your case. But personal letters give context to the details you add. You can call upon your previous rental experiences, including why you’re moving out from your current home.
Make sure to keep this to just a few paragraphs. Introduce yourself in the first paragraph and provide your own background. In the second paragraph, explain your rental history. In the third, reaffirm that you’ll be a reliable tenant and close off the letter.
Consider a Longer Lease
You can use this personal statement as a space to offer a longer lease. This will immediately get an owner’s attention. They probably wouldn’t be looking forward to lengthy negotiations or trying to find a new tenant after a year.
Offer to sign a two-year lease if you know you won’t need somewhere else in the meantime. The landlord may lock you into this arrangement with a hefty termination fee. This means you should only make this offer when you’re sure it’ll hold up.
Not every landlord will agree to this, but it’s still worth asking — even in the application stage. In addition, you won’t have to worry about a rent rise between years; the contract just carries on.
Should You Agree to Higher Rent?
Similarly, some people make better offers to stand out when renting. Steady income is probably one of the landlord’s main priorities, if not their biggest one. This means they might be (secretly) looking for someone to offer more than the rental market rates.
However, this is quite a risk. Can you really guarantee you’ll be able to make this every week or month? You may be able to compromise on a higher security deposit. This also shows you take the property’s condition seriously. But it stands as a much smaller incentive.
It’s even possible to negotiate higher rent in return for extra perks. Getting more for your money will naturally help with the high fees. However, this should still only be a last resort — and only if you know you can handle it.
Conclusion
Your application needs to be at its best in order to stand out. But even this might not be enough to get a landlord’s interest. You must still fill out every field in detail. But a personal statement (as well as your own negotiations) will definitely help your chances.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.