When you apply for an apartment, property managers typically tell you whether you’ve got approval within three business days of submission. If you’re applying for an apartment, here are a few key tips for getting the property manager to review and approve your application promptly:
- Be quick and thorough
- Have your documents ready, especially proof of income
- Prepare for background and credit checks
- Provide references
- If your income or credit score isn’t high enough, delegate a cosigner
If you’re currently applying for a new apartment, you’re probably wondering how long it takes to get approval. Once you’ve done all the searching and touring and you’ve finally decided on an apartment, it’s normal to want to make the application process as quick as possible.
How long does it take to hear back from an apartment application?
Getting approved for an apartment can take from 24 to 72 hours. A property manager may spend one to three business days reviewing your application before responding. However, the length of time depends on the property manager and the information you’ve provided, as it can take longer if there are gaps in your application.
So what can you do to ensure this doesn’t happen? Here are some important steps to keep in mind when you apply so you can minimize the time it takes to get approval.
Submitting your rental application
Once you find an apartment you like, request a rental application as soon as possible. You can usually do this through the leasing office, the property manager, or online via the leasing website.
Fill out your application with all the necessary information, including the following:
- Your current address
- Phone number
- Driver’s license number
- Social Security number
- Previous addresses
- Monthly income
- Proof of employment
- Personal references (if required)
Typically, rental applications also require an application or processing fee, which may vary depending on the property o
8 Tips to help get your apartment application approved quickly
Here are tips to minimize the time it takes to get approval for your new apartment:
1. Be thorough
1. Be thorough
Be as thorough and complete as possible in your application. This helps ensure the property manager or leasing agent won’t need to contact you for additional information, which could stall the approval process. Include information such as your current address, phone number, driver’s license number, Social Security number, previous addresses, monthly income, and place of employment.
Be prepared for application or processing fees, which may vary depending on the property owner or leasing office.
2. Have your documents ready
In addition to the rental application, you can show the landlord or leasing agent other supporting documents that let them further inspect your qualifications. Again, be sure to supply any and all requested documents to speed up the application process. These documents may include:
- A copy of your driver’s license or your social security card
- A letter of employment or copies of your most recent pay stubs
- Copies of your bank statements, tax returns, W-2s, or documentation of assets such as stocks and real estate
- Letters of recommendation from previous landlords or personal letters of reference
You may be required to provide information about any pets you plan to keep in the apartment, which means you’ll need to have vaccination and health records ready. If you are planning on renting a parking space, the landlord or leasing agent may want to have documentation of your vehicle, including its license plate, make, and model.
3. Provide proof of income
The property manager will want to know you’ll be able to pay the rent each month. The general rule is that your income should equal three times the cost of your monthly rent to qualify you as a renter, but that doesn’t work for everyone. The property manager might request copies of your pay stubs, taxes, and W-2s. They might also call your employer or ask for a letter of employment that states how much you make and how often you’re paid. These are all ways to prove you have the income necessary to pay your rent.
4. Give information for your credit check
A property manager might ask to run a check on your credit history. This gives them a better idea of how financially responsible you are. If you have little or no credit history because you’re just starting out on your own, it’s important to provide that information and explain any poor marks on your credit record. A good credit report will progress your application. A poor credit report, however, might not hurt if you simply haven’t had the chance to build up your credit. This is why it’s important to communicate your credit history.
5. Prepare for a background check
A property manager might run a background check to help determine whether you’re a desirable renter. Any legal convictions and pending charges will show up on a background check, so keep these in mind before allowing your background check to go through. If you have a chance to explain any blips in your background and discuss how they’re no longer an issue, it might help a property manager to overlook previous misdemeanors.
6. Give the landlord proper references
The property manager might ask for a letter of reference from previous property owners. This will show whether you paid the rent on time, maintained your other properties, and upheld the conditions of your previous lease. If you don’t have a rental history, you can provide personal letters of reference. These might be from friends, colleagues, and employers. It’s important to consider who you ask to provide a letter, as you want someone who’ll emphasize your work ethic, responsibility, and trustworthiness.
7. Consider whether you need a co-signer or guarantor
If you have bad credit or lack credit history, you might need to provide a cosigner or guarantor on the lease. A cosigner is an additional renter who’s responsible for a portion of the rent and resides in the apartment. A guarantor has no rights to the property but assumes all legal responsibility for the rent. This is often a family member who’s willing to vouch for you. The property manager will consider their income and credit check, so the guarantor must be someone who would qualify for the apartment.
8. Once you submit your application, follow up
Once you’ve completed and submitted your application, you can usually expect to hear back within 24 to 72 hours. When you request a rental application, ask how long you can expect to wait for a decision.
The leasing office might contact you for additional information, ask questions, or confirm details in your application. If you haven’t heard from them within 72 hours, follow up to see whether you need to provide additional information to move the approval process along.
What can cause delays in your application approval?
Sometimes, the apartment application process takes longer than a few days. Factors that can delay approval include:
- Incomplete application: An incomplete rental application can cause significant delays or even rejection. Check the details in your application to ensure you’ve provided all the necessary information.
- Gaps in your employment or financial information: If you have gaps or inconsistencies in your financial or employment history, the property manager might request further information or clarity. This can cause delays in your application approval.
- A high volume of applicants: Many applicants might be applying for the available apartment, especially in cities with competitive rental markets. It can take longer for property managers to sort through the high volume of applications. To distinguish your application from the competition, highlight your strengths and value as a renter.
Advice from a rental expert on getting approved quickly
“An applicant not providing proof of verifiable income promptly will delay the process. What can definitely delay your approval is if you’re not providing what is requested of you. But otherwise, if you provide proof of income and any additional application requirements, you can get approved within 24 hours or even less.“
Tammy Lee, Vice President – Special Services, Lincoln Property Company – Southeast
How to speed up the application process
Before you apply for an apartment, you can take some steps to enhance your chances of approval. Here are tips to improve your chances of getting the apartment you want:
- Spend some time improving your credit
In the months before you need to move, try to boost your credit score. You can do this by paying off credit cards to ensure you’re using less than 30% of your credit limit. Additionally, you’ll benefit from making all your payments on time and not taking out any new credit as you await application approval. Improving your credit can take several months, so it’s a good idea to start this process early.
- Choose an apartment within your budget
As you search for an apartment, factor in the cost of rent, utilities, and other fees. The leasing agent or property owner wants to know that you can afford the apartment, so make sure you’re searching for homes that won’t eat up more than one-third of your monthly income. Eliminating apartments you won’t qualify for can help you avoid paying non-refundable application fees.
- Submit an honest application
Once you find an apartment you love, it’s time to submit your application. Be honest when you answer each question, including those related to previous rentals and references. The leasing agent or owner will contact these references, and any inaccuracies could lead to an application denial. You may also be required to submit an application for every person over the age of 18 who intends to live in the home.
- Prepare financial statements that prove you can pay rent
After you submit your rental application, the manager or owner may ask you to provide some documentation of your income. They may request copies of your bank statements, pay stubs, or W-2s to support any claims you’ve made about your income. Each person on the lease might have to provide this documentation.
- Have a list of references prepared
Even if the rental application didn’t ask for references, you may want to have a list of references prepared in case the manager or owner asks for it. These references may include previous leasing agents, employers, or managers. Preferably, these are individuals who can back you up and support your assertions that you were a good renter.
- Offer to pay a bigger deposit
You may also find that offering the owner a larger deposit can save your application from denial. If you have poor rental references or if you aren’t able to prove your income to the owner’s satisfaction, offering more money upfront might help you out of a tight spot.
- Get a co-signer
If the owner or property manager is still uncertain about renting to you, you might find that getting a co-signer is your best option. This person will be held responsible for rent payments if you don’t pay. Choose a co-signer with good credit and a great rental history.
What happens next?
You should hear back about the status of your application within three business days. Regardless of the outcome, the property manager should contact you with their decision. If you don’t hear from them, phone or email them.
If you get approved, the property owner will then outline the next steps to complete your application, which typically include securing the deposit, signing a lease, and finalizing your move-in date. You will also need to discuss other details about your stay, such as the length of your lease, included amenities, such as cable, internet, water, and heat, and additional provisions for parking or pets.
If they reject your application, the property manager should contact you to explain their reasons for the rejection. You can ask for a reason if they don’t provide one.
Frequently asked questions about getting approved for an apartment
How long do most apartment applications take?
How long it takes to apply for an apartment varies by property manager and rental type. In general, it can take a few days to a few weeks to receive approval for an apartment.
The time it takes to get approved for an apartment varies by landlord and property. In general, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to receive approval for an apartment.
Delays may occur if you don’t submit all your information or don’t submit all of it at once. If the property manager needs to contact you for additional documents, this will increase the time between submission and approval. Some property managers can be more particular than others, so if they decide they’d like additional information from you, it can take more time to gather and submit that documentation.
If you apply for an apartment late in the week, the process might also get delayed by the upcoming weekend. Property managers approve or reject most applications within a few business days, so consider this when deciding when to submit your application.
Sometimes you will be required to have a background check as part of the rental application process, but not always. This step could make the process for being approved longer, so be sure to check with the landlord or property manager on an estimated wait time.
If it has been over 72 hours and you have not heard back on the status of your application you should reach out to the leasing office or landlord to make sure they have all of the information they need, and to inquire about the status of your approval.
What should I do if the property manager rejects my rental application?
Don’t stress about it. The rental market can be competitive, and good candidates might have submitted their applications ahead of you. The best thing to do is keep looking. Move quickly through your search, and don’t wait too long to apply once you’ve found the right apartment. The sooner you submit your application, the quicker you can get approved.
Several factors can impact the approval process for an apartment, including the landlord’s screening process, the applicant’s credit history, income, and rental history, and the availability of the unit.
Can property managers reject applications for an apartment?
Yes, applicants can be denied an apartment if they do not meet the landlord’s screening criteria, such as having a poor credit history, low income, or a history of eviction. However, landlords must comply with fair housing laws and cannot discriminate against tenants based on factors such as race, gender, or disability.
How can applicants improve their chances of getting approved for an apartment?
To improve your chances of getting approved for an apartment, you should maintain a good credit history, have a stable income and rental history, and provide accurate and complete information on your rental application. You can also offer to provide references or additional documentation as needed.
Is it hard to get approved for your first apartment?
If this is your first apartment, it can be more challenging to get approved than if you have an extensive rental history. You must work a little harder to convince the property manager you’re a responsible renter and can afford your monthly payments. If your income, credit score, and references are strong, however, you should have no problem getting approved for an apartment.
If you’re starting the search for a new apartment, make sure to gather all the information you need before starting an application. When you’re ready, search thousands of apartments for rent on Zumper and find your next home.
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