How to Rent an Apartment

Posted: July 24, 2010

By: Stefanie

When it comes to renting an apartment there are a few components to think about. The logistics are the first considerations. Where will you live and what kind of neighborhood do you want? How much are you going to spend? Who are you living with? How many bedrooms will you need?When will your lease begin? What are your must haves and don’t wants?

Then the search begins and the next step is finding these properties that match your criteria. Craigslist is one way to start and some people look to these options first in hopes of finding a for-rent-by-owner or no fee apartment.

Other people work with a real estate agent who can access all of the apartments available on Multiple Listing Service as well as their own leads and show their clients a variety of properties. It’s also no secret to us Realtors that some people use both resources and have many leads going at the same time.

Once you find that apartment you’ve been waiting for, your next move is to apply for it immediately. In this rental market and with only another month until the very popular September 1st move-in date, time is of the essence.

When you fill in an application, you will provide your social security number so that a credit report can be run. A landlord or management company will review your credit score along with your current salary to make sure that you have been reliable in your bills and payments and that your income can cover the rent.

If you don’t have the best credit and know that ahead of time, it can be very helpful to have a co-signer. Be upfront with your realtor or the landlord right away so that you can present the co-signer form and their credit report along with your application. 

There is also a place on the standard rental application to provide employment and landlord references. The current landlord or management company can call these phone numbers you provided to speak with your employer and/or landlord.

If you are just starting with a new company and have an offer letter, a copy may also be helpful while presenting your application. The current landlord may ask your past landlord if you consistently paid your rent on time, if you were clean and responsible and left the apartment in the condition it was in when your lease expired.

These are just a few things to think about when renting an apartment. Each scenario is different so it will depend on the circumstances. Remember that your landlord is looking for consistency, stability and someone who will pay the rent on time and take great care of their apartment.