Applying for a rental may seem like a daunting process, especially if it’s your first try. I will help you become prepped before evening seeing the rental.
- Getting Your Documentation Ready
Landlords appreciate tenants who are ready and punctual. The best way to be prepared is to have a rental application fully or mostly filled out. You can find one’s online or you could Contact Me Below and I can send an official state rental application. Best to have a landlord and personal references to attach to your application. Documentation proof of employment, such as a copy of payroll or W2s, will quicken the tenant review process.
- Fees & Background Checks
Typically, there is an application fee when applying for an apartment. The fee can be for a multitude of reasons, typically the fee $ is used for the landlord to run the credit and background checks. You could potentially run a credit and background check on your own beforehand. The concern is that different landlords may have preferred cites or searches and won’t accept your background checks. Essentially wasting the $25-$45 that you used to pay for your own searches.
- Initial Walkthrough
You may have done all the documentation prep before even seeing the rental. When walking through the unit, you want to see if the condition and location are ideal for you. If you are interested, before leaving, walkthrough and see if you see any leaks, paint splotches, or any other poorly updated fixes. If there are red flags, that may give some insight into how the Landlord takes care of problems. If you see any marks or holes, take pictures of any issues for later.
- Signing The Lease
Congratulations on getting selected for the rental! Before you sign the lease, you want to make sure you include the photos you took earlier and include it in the lease. The pictures will protect the deposit money that you put in with signing the lease. You want to review the lease to see the lease length, permission access of the unit, and lease transference guidelines. The landlord could sell the property while you’re renting out the unit, you want to make sure you are protected. If everything checks out, sign the lease and start to move in!
For further questions about renting or anything real estate related, ask away!