Landlord/Tenant Relationship

"Impress your Future Landlord and Get Approved for your Dream Rental" https://www.rentecdirect.com/blog/impress-your-landlord/

In a competitive rental market, getting approved your next apartment can depend on more than just your credit score and income.

A rental hopeful should always put their best foot forward when trying to impress a future landlord. In fact, apartment hunting can be as competitive as landing your dream job.  

Some tenants have found success in providing a renter resume to stand out, while others understand that a professional and honest conversation can get them beyond phase one of the tenant screening process.

Preliminary tenant screening will determine if the property manager will move your rental application into the final rounds of the tenant screening process. Preliminary tenant screening includes asking questions to determine if you will be a good tenant, before a property manager has to pull a credit report or call your employers to verify income.

Nathan Miller, President of Rentec Direct, explains how competitive the rental market has become and why it’s important to stand out during in the preliminary phase, “We reviewed some statistics from 5236 rental applications received during the first two months of 2017.   Of those applications, 56% of the units we rented after receiving just one application.  The remaining units received between 2 and 63 applicants per unit.  The average overall was 3.54 applicants per unit to find and place a tenant.’

If you want to be the first application processed and approved, you need to make a good impression with your landlord during phase one of the tenant screening process.

Preliminary tenant screening typically takes place when you call a landlord or property manager to ask about available rentals or when you meet them for a property showing. Housing providers will be looking and listening for legitimate cues to tell them if you are going to be a good tenant.

During this round of preliminary tenant screening, your landlord will be asking questions to see how you will fair as a tenant. They are looking for honest answers. If you lie about credit or pets, they will find out and you will just end up wasting everyone’s time.  

HERE IS SOME ADVICE TO APPEAR IN THE BEST LIGHT POSSIBLE TO YOUR FUTURE LANDLORD

THE WHY ARE YOU MOVING QUESTION?

Think carefully about how you answer this question. While you should never lie to a future landlord, a renter who complains about their current living situation or about management is not going to be someone your future landlord wants to deal with.

If an applicant has a bad attitude about their current property, even if for legitimate reasons, the landlord could perceive the applicant as high maintenance. A complaining renter requires a lot of energy from landlord.

An applicant is better off saying something like, “I am looking for more space” or “I want to live closer to my office” (bonus points if you mention a promotion – this shows you are committed to your company and don’t plan to move anytime soon!). These answers are much better than “The management never responds to my maintenance requests!”.

If you want to get a new puppy keep your lips sealed! Even if pets are allowed at the property, your future landlord will not be as excited as you about the idea of a puppy on the property.  Puppies can cause substantial more damage than an older pet.

You can ask about a pet policy to make sure that pets are allowed in the future but don’t tell your landlord you plan to get a puppy the second you move in. Check the rental agreement about conditions for the pet policy and introduce the idea of new pet after you have gotten the chance to get know one another.

If you are planning to be the only person on the lease, do not talk about your boyfriend, girlfriend or partner.  

A significant other who is not on the lease is a red flag to the landlord that the partner will be staying at the property, a lot. Most lease agreements have a clause or conditions regarding a long-term guest policy.

Even if your partner has their own place, a landlord will automatically assume a partner is living on the property if he sees them there too often. Reinforce that you are the only person living on the property and keep your relationship to yourself during your first couple of meetings.

Remember,  a landlord is not legally allowed to ask you any questions about your familial status (as protected by the Federal Fair Housing Act). That means it’s none of his business if you are married, single, or dating.

A lot of people may want to bring a friend with them to look at an apartment but be careful – this could be a red flag to a landlord that the “friend” may actually be a secret roommate.

A landlord wants to collect an application from all adults living on the property, so he will want to know if the “friend”  needs to submit an application too.

If you feel unsafe traveling to showings by yourself, make it clear to the landlord or property manager that the friend is not going to be living there and is purely there for moral support. Don’t be taken aback if the landlord asks you point blank if the friend is planning to live in the rental as well.

With all the hype around identity theft these days, some paranoid individuals are extremely resistant about providing their social security number.  Experienced renters, however, understand that credit checks are part of the rental process and credit is only verified with a social security number.  

A qualified tenant should be pleased with a manager’s thorough screening criteria as it demonstrates the owner’s value in finding the best renters and maintaining a great property.

Not all rentals are created equal, and sometimes applying for an apartment can seem as competitive as getting into an Ivy League college. Landlords with rentals that are located in trendy areas, accept pets, or are subject to rent control often receive dozens of applications.

So, how do you distinguish yourself from everyone else who’s vying for the same rental? Although being able to pay rent is important, landlords who can be choosy look for other characteristics in prospective tenants. Here’s some advice on how to impress a potential landlord.

BE PREPARED

Most landlords with hot properties will require you to fill out a written rental application. Being able to submit it quickly will give you a competitive advantage. Bring the following information to your meeting with the landlord or property manager so you can fill out your application on the spot:

• References. Have a written list of at least three references. Prospective landlords will want to see past landlords listed as references, but if that’s not possible, use employers, colleagues, and friends. Be ready to provide their full names, phone numbers, and email addresses. It’s always a good idea to alert references to expect a call—and make sure they’ll speak well of you.
• Past rental or residence information. Many applications ask for the addresses of where you’ve lived for the past five years or so. Have the full address, the dates you lived there, and the reason why you left each residence at your fingertips.
• Proof of ability to pay. Landlords will often accept a recent pay stub showing your current income, the prior year’s tax return, or a current bank statement as proof of your ability to pay the rent. If you’re about to start a new job, bring a copy of your offer letter reflecting your anticipated start date and income.
• Financial information. Be prepared to provide account numbers for your checking, savings, and other financial accounts—the prospective landlord might ask for your permission to run a check on your deposits. Know your social security number in case you have to provide it for a credit check.
• Pet data. If you’re going to be moving in with a pet, bring a vet’s letter showing the pet is up to date with all its vaccinations. Know your pet’s breed, size, and weight. If you have a pet reference—someone who can vouch for the fact your pet is house-trained, friendly, and has been a good resident in the past—bring that person’s contact information.
• Liquid funds. Arrive at the meeting with your checkbook (and the funds in the bank to back it up). This way, you’re prepared to pay any application fees and put down a deposit. (Make sure you ask for a receipt.)

It's also a good idea to bring a current copy of your credit report (although the landlord might still want to order one—and will charge you a fee for doing so). You can order your credit report from any of the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), or get a free copy at AnnualCreditReport.com. Be sure to review the report before you go apartment hunting—dispute and correct any incomplete or inaccurate information you find.

If you’re renting with roommates, it’s best to have everyone who will be living in the unit attend (and be prepared for) the meeting with the potential landlord. If that’s not possible, bring the information listed above for the absent roommate.

DEMONSTRATE YOU WILL BE AN IDEAL TENANT

Be on your best “good tenant” behavior when you go to see a rental. Show up on time, dress neatly, and present yourself as someone who is both conscientious and agreeable. If you’re attending an open house, arrive at the start (but not too early), if possible.

Because landlords hate dealing with overly demanding or fussy tenants who complain about trivial things, don’t start off asking for a long list of improvements and special favors before you’re even offered the place. You can—and should—ask questions, but realize that the landlord might interpret pointed or negative-sounding questions as signs you’re going to be a difficult tenant.

OFFER SOMETHING EXTRA

To stand out from other applicants, consider offering something extra to show that you have what it takes to be an ideal tenant—one who pays rent on time, stays for the long term, and treats the property with respect. For example, you can offer to prepay rent, put down a larger security deposit, carry renters’ insurance, have the rental professionally cleaned when you move out, or sign a long-term lease. If you have the financial means, you could even offer to pay a higher monthly rent. Be realistic, though, and don’t make promises you won’t be able to keep.

Tenants have been known to barter all kinds of deals, including the offer of airline or sports tickets and attractive merchandise. Engaging in this type of creative bribery can backfire, though:

Waiving your rights might set the stage for having them trampled in the future. If you offer a higher security deposit than the law allows or agree to under-the-table rent in violation of a rent control ordinance, you’ve sent a signal that you are willing to overlook the law. If you later want to assert other rights (such as your right to basic repairs and maintenance), don’t be surprised if your landlord ignores your wishes—if you were willing to waive legal protections once, you can be talked out of these, too.


Offering carrots now might make the landlord expect more. You obviously don’t want to continue to bribe the landlord every time you make a reasonable request. But by sweetening the deal, you’ve set a precedent.

Choosing tenants based on the quality of their gifts is no way to run a business. Be wary of a landlord who chooses tenants for personal gain instead of legitimate business reasons.

In other words, be sincere and smart about what you offer. Legitimate landlords will appreciate applicants who offer to make their job easier, but will be turned off by applicants who try to game the system.

DO NOT GIVE UP

If you find out you didn’t get the apartment, ask the landlord why. Use any constructive feedback you receive to improve your next rental application.

"How to Ensure a Landlord Chooses You" (https://www.zumper.com/blog/how-to-ensure-that-a-landlord-chooses-you/)

So, you’ve found the perfect apartment. You’ve even verified that the landlord exhibits all the qualities of being a great landlord. Now, the only thing left to worry about is competing against other interested renters. Often, having good credit and a clean rental history are two easy ways to convince a landlord that you’re the best choice. But what if you have bad credit? Or a not-so-perfect rental history? We’ll break down what you can do to make up for those and get yourself to the top of the list.

GO ABOVE AND BEYOND

All landlords want tenants who pay their rent on time and have a reliable source of income, but not many tenants will surpass these basic expectations. If a landlord asks for a one-year lease, consider signing on for a year and a half or even two years. It’ll show the landlord you’re serious about the apartment and plan on staying there for a while if they choose you.

If you can afford to pay a few months of rent upfront, offer that, too. Landlords appreciate when they don’t have to worry about collecting your rent on time. And, combined with the promise of you staying beyond a standard, one-year lease, the landlord may be more inclined to offer you the apartment.

MAKE SURE YOU PASS ALL OF YOUR BACKGROUND CHECKS

There are a few checkpoints your future landlord will want you to pass before they ask you to sign on the dotted line. These include your rental background check, a credit check, and an employment or proof of income verification check.

To ensure that you pass the rental background check, ask a previous landlord to vouch for you. This is especially helpful if you’ve ever dealt with an eviction process before. Ask a former landlord (one who did not evict you) if they’d be willing to vouch for your behavior as a renter. This will help reassure your future landlord that you’ll be a good tenant, regardless of what your rental history might show.

If your credit is low, put your future landlord at ease and speak openly about your finances. Explain any high credit card balances, student loan debt, or big purchase payments you that may show up in your credit check. Remember, even if you have a low credit score, you still have other options before you need to resort to no credit check apartments.

In terms of employment verification, if you have a freelancing gig or work multiple jobs, see if one of your clients will vouch for you or give your future landlord all contact info for each job. You can also consider having a parent, guardian, or friend co-sign the lease if you don’t think you meet income requirements.

GET IN THE DOOR FIRST

Being the first to see an apartment as soon as it becomes available is a huge benefit over the others. You can even apply to Instarent properties and reserve an apartment so no one else can snag it before you do.

If applying to an apartment and a landlord sets an appointment time for a tour, make yourself available so you can be one of the first ones in the door. Try to arrive a few minutes early; it’ll show the landlord you’re treating the process professionally and seriously. 

BE PREPARED

Treat your apartment hunt the same way you’d treat a job hunt. Arrive early, look presentable, and have any required forms filled out. Doing this will send a message to the landlord that you take this experience seriously and are prepared to sign a lease if given the opportunity. In addition, rental references can go a long way. If you can, ask an employer, former landlord, or another trusted reference to write a letter on your behalf using this sample rental reference template.

SET YOUR SIGHTS ON WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD

We all want the apartment with amazing views, an upgraded kitchen, and a master bedroom with a walk-in closet, but that doesn’t mean we can afford it. Do your research and know what you can afford when factoring in the monthly rent, any pet fees, and utilities. That way, if the landlord asks what your budget is, you’ll have an answer for them. If you’re planning on splitting rent and living with a roommate, make sure your future landlord knows; two incomes are better than one.

BEFORE YOU SIGN A LEASE

When the landlord chooses you, don’t forget to ask the important questions. And, don’t sign on the dotted line before getting some answers. At the end of the day, there are plenty of great apartments out there. If a landlord isn’t answering your questions or seems to be dodging them, it’s okay to politely decline the apartment. Renting from a respectful, honest, and transparent landlord can make all the difference, so don’t settle until you’ve found the right fit.