Secure your dream apartment by setting yourself apart from the crowd with a stunning rental application letter. Aside from serving as the perfect introduction to your potential landlord who knows nothing about you, a well-crafted rental application letter is the best way to prove you’re a trustworthy and reliable tenant. After spending so much on hiring building professionals and splurging on new upgrades and cosmetic changes, every homeowner wants to ensure they get a renter that can preserve the property’s condition. We’ve put together this article to help you in your home search and figure out which details are essential to highlight in your rental application.
Important Things to Highlight in a Rental Application Letter
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Personal Introduction and Background
Start with a brief introduction about yourself by sharing basic details like your name, current job, or where you study. Apart from giving personal information, you can also share an overview of your lifestyle to help the landlord if you’re a fit for the property. For instance, if you’re applying to rent a 3-bedroom single-family unit, you could highlight that you’re a family with two middle-school-aged kids who enjoy barbeques on the weekend. Or if you’re a student applying for a single room, tell the landlord how you maintain a quiet lifestyle because of your studies.
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Financial Stability
Highlight your source of income to prove that you can pay rent consistently. While a solid background can sway a landlord in your favor, your financial stability plays a big role in their ultimate decision. Remember that no property owner is willing to hound you for rent simply because you seem nice. As a result, it would be best to present documentation such as pay stubs or bank statements to back up your employment or other financial means.
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Rental History and References
Showcase your experience as a reliable tenant by including your previous rental history. Another essential thing property owners look out for is your past references, so ensure you get one from your previous or current landlord. If you have a positive relationship with past landlords who can vouch you’re a responsible tenant, it would certainly work in your favor.
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Interest in the Property
The best property management companies suggest mentioning reasons why you chose to apply for the rental property, so emphasize how the house fits your needs. For instance, if its location makes your commute to work or school easier, or the amenities make your life easier, highlight it. The more enthusiasm you can show for living in the rental, the more sincere your application will sound.
Is It Necessary to Highlight Credit Score During Rental Application?
When It’s Necessary
- On Request
If you are asking how long to get approved for an apartment, it will depend on if you complete the documents required by your landlord. Ensure to include your credit score if a prospective landlord or property manager explicitly requests it as part of the screening process. Otherwise, hiding it would either delay the process or give them the impression you’re hiding something.
- Competitive Rental Market
Highlight your credit score boldly when you’re applying for an apartment in an in-demand area. Not only would this tip streamline the tenant screening process, but it’s also a great way to stand out if you have a good credit score and can help you beat the competition.
- Limited Rental History
Win your potential landlord over by showing you have a good credit score even when you don’t have the backing of past references. If you’re a first-time renter or have a history of evictions, your rental history may not back up your promises to be a responsible tenant. However, a solid credit score would show that at least you’re financially trustworthy.
When It’s Not
- Low Credit Score
Highlight your other strengths if you have a low credit score. Unless your landlord explicitly requests it, if you have a murky financial history focus more on your rental income or positive rental history in your letter. If it comes up during the screening process, be as transparent as possible and explain the circumstances that affected your score.
Conclusion
Crafting the perfect rental application letter is an essential step in your house-hunting process. As a result, it’s essential to know what details landlords look out for in your letter, such as your background and interest in the property. It would also be best to show you can pay rent consistently by highlighting your financial stability, and demonstrate you’re a responsible tenant with previous references.
If a prospective property owner requests your credit score, you should also include it in your application. It could go a long way in boosting your chances in a competitive rental market if you don’t have a reference letter from a previous landlord. However, if you have a low credit score, you can leave it out of your letter.
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