If you’ve never lived out on your own before or rented an apartment under your own name, the process can feel a little intimidating. But we promise it’s not that bad. However, it’s important to be prepared and have your ducks in a row before applying for an apartment.
Mostly, you need to know about the requirements to rent an apartment. The last thing you want to do is show up unprepared and waste their time. Don’t worry, we’re here to help.
Keep reading for everything you need to know.
Typical Requirements to Rent an Apartment
It may seem like the landlord or apartment complex is being a stickler, but you have to look at it from their point of view. They need to make sure their renters are people who are actually going to pay their bills on time. They also want to make sure they’re renting to trustworthy, respectable tenants.
This is especially true for landlords renting luxurious spaces, as they don’t want to risk their high-end property falling into disrepair. If you’re looking for a high-end apartment, check out the offer at all-luxury-apartments.com or similar websites. These offer great deals, and the landlords are usually more willing to work with you if you can come up with a good credit history.
Here’s a list of typical apartment requirements.
Proper Identification
As with any contract, you need to provide proof that you are who you say you are. For an apartment rental, you’ll likely need to provide your social security number and a copy of your driver’s license. They’ll use these for a background check and keep the information on file.
Proof of Income and Employment
Sometimes, learning how to rent an apartment means proving you make enough money to afford it. This can be difficult if you work for yourself or are a freelancer. Fortunately, you can find a legitimate pay stub template to provide the necessary documentation.
Otherwise, most landlords will accept bank statements, and/or recent tax return documents.
Rental History
Rental histories are common requirements to rent an apartment. Landlords want to see the places you’ve rented previously so they can inquire about the type of tenant you were. For example, if you rarely paid your rent on time or left the place a wreck, it won’t bode well for your application.
References
Aside from your rental history, landlords will also require a list of references from your personal life, although, family members are rarely acceptable references. You can use a friend, a boss, a co-worker, etc. Ultimately, they’re trying to get a feel for what type of tenant and/or neighbor you’ll be.
Vehicle Information
Don’t be surprised if one of the requirements to rent an apartment includes your vehicle information. Some apartments have parking restrictions and they need to know what vehicles belong to their tenants.
You’ll need to write down the make, model, and color, as well as the license plate number. You’ll probably need to provide proof of auto insurance as well.
Deposit and First Month’s Rent
Lastly, you need to ask “What do you need to rent an apartment in terms of upfront costs?”
Most apartments require an upfront payment of both a deposit and the first month’s rent. The deposit will be used to clean the apartment and repair any damages once you move out. If you leave it in perfect condition, you could get most or all of your deposit back.
The first month’s rent is self-explanatory. If they collect rent on the 1st of every month and it’s the 15th, however, you will only have to pay the prorated amount.
Looking for More Lifestyle Advice?
Learning how to get an apartment isn’t difficult, it just means playing by all of the landlord’s rules. Most of them are in place for good reason. Just make sure you’re familiar with the requirements to rent an apartment before you apply.
And if you’re looking for any more advice about lifestyle, be sure to check out some of our other articles before you go. Our blog has no shortage of helpful insight and valuable information.
