How to Make the Best Rental Application to Smash the Competition
Struggling to make a rental application that is getting accepted?
We know the feeling – and we want to help. We have been running tenant help groups since 2020 when tens of thousands of renters were displaced so we know a thing or two about rental applications. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on how to write a kick ass rental application. Follow our tips, and you’ll be on your way to securing your dream home in no time!
With the rental market the way it is at the moment, it can feel impossible to secure a rental. But don’t give up hope! Follow our guide, and you’ll be on your way to finding your perfect home.
Read on to change your luck when it comes to applying for rental
How to apply for a rental so your rental application is accepted
Having a roof over our heads is a basic need according to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This means that we, as humans, aren’t able to find peace and happiness unless this and our other basic needs are met.
I have compiled a list of my top 3 tips for ensuring your rental application is successful.
Tip 1 – Become the Agents Best Friend
This is gonna take some cringe-worthy sucking up but when it comes to providing a home for yourself and your family, we gotta do what we gotta do, right?
When you find the rental you want to apply for, give the real estate agent a call to confirm the time/date/something else mundane about the viewing or the property. Take the opportunity to introduce yourself, try and repeat your name at least three times.
Research shows that people need to hear something three times for it to stick, and we want Mr Agent to remember your name. Let them know you are very excited about the property, think it is perfect for your needs and can’t wait to meet them to have them show you.
Right away Mr Agent will hopefully start to get excited, I mean if they have someone willing to go out of their way to let them know they want the property, that takes the hard work out of their job. They got someone already!
OK now my next suggestion is going to be hard for some to stomach but bare with me, take the agent a little gift. It could be a cup of coffee, a cookie, a cute little wrapped gift, whatever, it doesn’t matter. The point is that this is going to be yet another thing that helps the agent remember you. Be sure to let them know you are the person that called and repeat your name again.
When you show up to the viewing you should be wearing ‘business casual’ to make a good impression. While a shirt and tie isn’t necessary, don’t go the other way and wear flip flops and boardies, that’s going to make you stand out for all the wrong reasons.
Ask intelligent questions about the property, the area and the landlord that will entice the agent to consider you, for example ‘do you think the landlord would mind if I made improvements to the property? With their permission of course’ or ‘I like to go to bed early and I’ve always gotten on great with my neighbors in the past, do you know what the neighbors are like here?’.
Tip 2 – Be prepared
Depending where you are, which agent you go through and the way the wind is blowing, there are a multitude of way agents want application forms to be handed in. If paper copies are being accepted on the property you could consider having your application filled out and ready to go so that you can hand it in at the viewing.
This will give the agent the ‘wow, they’re keen’ vibes needed to get a rental nowadays.
Playing it cool is not the order of the day.
If it's an online rental application process or needs to be filled out after the viewing, then you can just let the agent know that you’ll have the rental application over to them within 24 hours or less. Give a time that’s realistic for you and stick to it, don’t make yourself late by choosing a deadline you can’t stick to.
When filling out your application, make sure it is complete. Many agents use computer software to filter applications so yours won’t even get seen if you have any essential information missing. Make sure you pay any rental application fee in full (if applicable).
This also goes for ensuring all parties that are applying for the property also fill out their application forms perfectly, every single box for each applicant
should be filled out where relevant. Ensure you submit all forms together and include all the documents that they request.
Tip 3 – Follow Up
The fortune is in the follow up, as they say. This has proved to be true time and time again, and getting your rental application accepted is no different.
I suggest following up with a phone call right after submitting the application to let the agent know you submitted and ask on a time frame for how quickly the landlord is looking to find someone. Let them know your availability and that you are very interested in the property.
You can even ask them if they have any advice on things the landlord is looking for in a tenant and then let them know that you have those qualities (don’t be afraid to stretch the truth – no outright lies, of course, but truth stretching in this instance could be in your best interest).
If you don’t hear within the time frame they mentioned or the next 72 hours (whichever is more appropriate) then follow up again. Repeat your name, remind the agent that you’re keen and ask if any progress has been made, if anyone else is being considered etc.
The next milestone would be 14days after you submitted the application to follow up again. If the landlord is taking their time to make a decision then you want to remind the agent that you’re still there, still keen and still waiting to hear.
Surviving and Thriving in the Rental Crisis
If you want to know more about how to write the application form so that it stands out from the crown, we have a course available Surviving and Thriving in the Rental Crisis which covers in this in detail along with everything you need to know to be a badass renter, with rental application tips, education on all your rights and entitlements, a section on what to do to protect yourself when you move in and move out, how to negotiate a rental increase and even things like how to get your agent/landlord to stop ghosting you when it comes to repairs!
We are running a Black Friday special so this course is just $69 instead of the usual $149 from now until Black Friday only! www.App.mastermind.com/masterminds/37973
Can you afford to miss out on this amazing deal?
The course covers….
Writing an Application That Could Land You Your Dream Home
In this module you will learn my top 5 tricks for writing an application that will stand out from the rest and encourage any real estate agent or landlord to give you an offer.
Move In Day
Moving house is always stressful, let this module reduce the stress by ensuring you are well prepared for move in day and know exactly what you need to do to protect yourself as a tenant.
Repairs & Maintenance Issues in Your Rental
Sometimes it seems like it'd just be quicker and easier to sort issues out ourselves, but as renters that isn't always the best option. This module will show you the best way to get issues fixed quickly.
Negotiating Rental Increases
Nobody likes a rental increase, who wants to pay more for the same thing?! This module will give you the tools you need to negotiate the increase and remain on your landlords good side.
Move Out Day
As renters, we have to move a LOT and it is so easy to forget something when you move out. This module will give you all the info you need to move out efficiently and not be left owing money from your deposit.
www.App.mastermind.com/masterminds/37973
FAQs
In my experience renters often have questions and don’t know where to go for answers, below I have compiled some of the top questions around rental applications and your rental application form to make things easy for you.
If you have other questions you can always check out our TikTok where we answer rental questions
What is a tenancy application form?
A tenancy application form is a form that someone looking for a place to rent would fill out to provide information about themselves to the landlord or property manager. The form typically asks for contact information, employment information, and references. It may also ask for information about past rental history and credit history.
What do you need for a letting application?
The specific requirements for a letting application vary by location, but in general, you will need to provide proof of identity, proof of residency, and evidence that you can afford the rent. Some locations may also require a credit check or reference check.
What forms do I need to rent?
It depends on the area in which you reside, but typically you need to fill out an application and provide supporting documentation such as proof of income, identification, and sometimes even a proof of residency. Each country/state has its own requirements, so it's best to check specifically with the agent that is renting the property to see what is required for more information.
Do you need a tenancy agreement to rent?
Depending on your location, you don't technically need a tenancy agreement to rent, but it's a good idea to have one in case of any disputes or disagreements between you and your landlord. A tenancy agreement is also useful for proving that you are a tenant and have the right to live in the property.
A tenancy agreement is a legal contract between you and your landlord, and it should outline the terms and conditions of your rental agreement. It should include information on how much rent you will be paying, when it's due, how long the lease is for, what services are included (e.g. water, gas, electricity), whether the property is furnished or not, and who is responsible for repairs.
Can you write your own tenancy agreement?
You can write your own tenancy agreement, but it's important to make sure that you include all the necessary elements to ensure that the agreement is legally binding.
Some things to consider when drafting a tenancy agreement include the following:
-The names and addresses of both the tenant and landlord
-The amount of rent and when it is due
-What services (if any) are included in the rent price
-Who is responsible for paying utility bills
-What conditions must be met in order for the tenant to break the lease agreement early
-What kind of security deposit (if any) is required
By including all of this information in your tenancy agreement, you can help to avoid any potential disputes or misunderstandings between you
How do landlords verify income?
Landlords often request copies of recent pay slips or income tax returns as verification of a tenant's income. Some landlords may also contact employers or references to confirm that the information provided by the tenant is accurate.
What should not be on a rental application?
Generally speaking as a potential tenant, any information that is not related to your credit or rental history should not be included on a rental application. This includes your national ID number/social security number, bank account number, and drivers license number. Providing these types of personal information can put you at risk for identity theft or fraud.
Also ensure your residence history does not have any gaps.
Do all letting agents do a credit check?
Usually, all letting agents will do a credit check as part of their tenant vetting process. A credit check will help to give the letting agent an idea of how reliable a tenant is likely to be, and whether they are in a position to afford the rent. A low credit score could suggest that the tenant is not good at managing their finances and may be more likely to miss rent payments or cause damage to the property.
How long does the rental process take?
The rental process can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days to a few weeks, depending on the property, the date the last tenant is moving out, the need for refurbishments and the availability of the tenant.
Generally, the process will start with an online application that is reviewed by a property manager. If the applicant is approved, they will be sent a link to sign their lease agreement. Once they have signed the lease agreement, they will be asked to pay their security deposit/bond and rent. Finally, they will be given access to the property and are ready to move in.
Can you use savings as proof of income?
Yes, you can use savings as proof of income. The general rule of thumb is that you should have six months of living expenses saved up in case of an emergency. This shows that you have a reliable source of income and are able to cover your costs even if you were to lose your job.
If you're self-employed, you can also use your business account statements as proof of income. This will show that you are bringing in enough money to cover your living expenses. Keep in mind that the lender may want to see a few years' worth of bank statements to ensure that your business is consistently profitable.
What should you not tell your landlord?
Do not tell your landlord you are going to withhold rent because of the poor living conditions.
Do not tell your landlord you will be late on rent because you lost your job.
Do not tell your landlord you are moving out because the apartment is in horrible condition.
What affects rental application?
A number of things can affect a rental application, including but not limited to:
-The amount of rent being asked for
-The credit score of the tenant in your credit report
-Past evictions or landlord complaints
-The size of the security deposit being requested
-How long the tenant has been employed
-Whether the tenant has pets
-any personal references that are provided from your previous landlord
What do landlords look for in a tenant?
Landlords look in a residential rental application for a tenant who will take care of the property, pay rent on time, and not cause any damage. In addition, landlords may also look for a tenant with a good credit score and rental history from previous landlords.
Armed with the information above you should have a great chance at getting your next rental application accepted. Why not join one of our socials and let us know how you get on in your rental journey?
And remember, if you want to be the best renter you can be, protect yourself by being armed with knowledge then check out our course on Surviving and Thriving in the Rental Crisis, just $69 until Black Friday!
www.App.mastermind.com/masterminds/37973
Good luck securing your dream rental property, it’s a jungle out there!
