At one time or the other, you’ve probably experienced anguish when applying for a new rental. You may have searched for several months to locate the ideal rental and now you have to turn in your application.
It’s possible that anxiousness and fear set in as you think of anything that could emerge from your rental history. Don’t worry, these tips will help you impress your potential landlord.
Bear in mind that your prospective landlord cares about three major things: timely rental payment, that you don’t damage the rental, and that you don’t cause issues with fellow tenants. Consider these strategies if you wish to make a stellar impression.
1. Familiarize Yourself with Your Credit Report
Your credit report is one of the most vital things a potential leasing agent or landlord will examine. Although a less than a desirable report isn’t necessarily a deal breaker, a decent score will go a long way in helping you locate the ideal apartment.
It’s crucial that you identify precisely what your credit report contains, particularly if there are dings and dents in your credit history. Be ready to explain the situations that led to those problems and explain why those situations have changed.
It’s important you recognize the problems before your landlord locates them and have answers before the landlord asks questions. Numerous people don’t even know their credit score or how to examine it.
Beware that a landlord can examine your score against any of the major reporting bureaus: Experian, Transunion, and Equifax. The agencies use a similar formula to determine a three-digit score based on your fiscal history.
Nevertheless, your history on one bureau can be different from the others, making it necessary to examine all three agencies.
2. Have Sufficient Money in the Bank
Most property owners charge fees before approval, so ensure you have sufficient money to cover the costs. Security deposit and application fees are the most common pre-approval charges. Other charges can include pet deposits, broker fees, and credit check fees.
Most of these fees are refundable in case you decide not to move into the property although the application fee is usually non-refundable. As a rule, you should have at least two months’ rent in your bank along with the application fees.
Remember, your prospective landlord will probably want to see your bank statement as proof. In the event that you have a poor credit score or none, you might have to prepay numerous months of rent to secure your ideal rental in a tight market.
3. Be Polite
Just like anybody else you’re trying to impress, politeness goes a long way with your potential landlord. When you make an initial contact via email or on the phone, be professional. Discuss a date and time that will enable an apartment viewing but don’t be too demanding.
Once you meet your potential landlord, ensure you extend a handshake and thank them for their time. In the event that you spot something wrong, don’t point it out rudely or loudly. Rather, inquire whether they would be ready to fix the problem before the renter moves in.
While you want to impress the property owner, ensure he or she impresses you too. When you inquire about repairing something, try to see their reaction. If they’re reluctant to repair anything at this phase, you might not wish to pursue the relationship farther.
Final Thoughts
Locating the suitable rental is difficult, particularly in a competitive market. Once you find the perfect one, you should consider these strategies before contacting the landlord.
For more information on how to be the perfect renter, contact us at Apartment Agents or leave a message.