How does a landlord screen tenants with a rental application?
Applying for a rental apartment or home is a lot like a job interview. You need to demonstrate to a landlord that you're financially and socially responsible and can pay your rent reliably while living quietly and respectfully among others. Landlords use the rental application process to get a complete picture of how responsible you are and, equally importantly, what sort of character you've demonstrated thus far in your adult life.
Most rental applications ask for information that a landlord will use to run a credit check, criminal background check, verification of your prior addresses and rental history (and whether you've ever been evicted), your work history, your income and financial position, and a personal reference check. Under the Fair Housing Act and other laws, landlords cannot legally reject your application due to race, religion, ethnic background or nationality, gender, age, family status, or disabilities. However, landlords can use business or financial criteria—such as credit scores, income minimums, or references indicating irresponsibility—as a reason to reject an application. Landlords may also legally enforce their own rules about whether they'll allow smoking or pets in their properties.
If you're in the process of meeting landlords and filling out applications, keep in mind that personal impressions count, too. Aside from the data a landlord can gather about you when you're not present, your handshake, on-time arrival to an appointment, cleanliness, and curiosity about a prospective rental will help a landlord shape his or her impression of you and your suitability as a renter. Little gestures, like wiping your feet before entering a unit or asking detailed questions about building amenities, can show a landlord that you are ready to commit.
Many landlords will advise you in advance regarding what materials you need to bring to make a rental application. But in the event you haven't been forewarned, you can expect to be asked to present two or more pay stubs (proof of income and employment), pay a nominal fee for the landlord to run background checks, provide a social security number for credit checks, provide phone numbers of references, and possibly provide a deposit check (deposited if you're approved as a tenant). The rental application may also ask you to tally your credit card balances, how much money you have in checking and savings accounts (and the numbers on those accounts so they can verify the amounts), and about other debts.
Here are some sample rental applications, so you have an idea of what's in store:
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