A rental resume is a document that you provide to a landlord or property manager when applying for a rental property. It contains information about your personal and financial background, as well as your rental history and references. A well-crafted rental resume can help you stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of getting approved for a rental property. In this article, we’ll show you how to create a rental resume that gets you noticed.
Why do I need a rental resume?
In competitive markets (like San Francisco, New York, and Chicago), finding the perfect apartment can be a months-long process. Renters are often looking for similar things—an updated kitchen, hardwood floors, and in-unit laundry—which means apartments with those amenities are snatched up quickly.
A rental resume provides a way for renters to impress and inform a potential landlord before they choose their tenant. It gives renters a leg up on the competition by telling a landlord what makes them the perfect person to rent the apartment. Not every renter submits a rental resume and those who do have the advantage of seeming more invested and interested in an apartment right from the get-go. Landlords and property managers just want a good tenant when all is said and done, and someone who provides information and expresses their intent upfront through a rental resume might make the decision easier for them
What should I put on my renters resume?
Creating a renter’s resume can help you stand out and demonstrate your reliability to potential landlords or property managers. Here are some items to include on your renter’s resume when applying for an apartment:
1. Contact information
Provide your full name, phone number, email address, and current mailing address.
2. Personal information
Include your date of birth, occupation, and any relevant details about your household (e.g., number of occupants and whether you have pets).
3. Rental history
Include your date of birth, occupation, and any relevant details about your household (e.g., number of occupants and whether you have pets).
4. Length of residence
Highlight your stable living history by showing how long you’ve resided at your previous addresses.
5. Employment history
Detail your employment history, including your current job and previous positions. Mention your employer’s name and contact information, job title, employment start date, and monthly income. This demonstrates your ability to pay rent.
6. Income verification
Attach recent pay stubs or an employment letter that verifies your income. Landlords typically want to ensure that your income is sufficient to cover the rent.
7. Bank statements
Provide bank statements to show your financial stability and the ability to handle monthly rent payments.
8. Credit report
Include a copy of your credit report, which can be obtained from credit reporting agencies like Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. A good credit score indicates responsible financial behavior.
9. References
Include personal and professional references who can vouch for your character and reliability. These references could be former landlords, employers, or personal acquaintances.
10. Pet references
If you have pets, include references from previous landlords attesting to your pet’s good behavior and your responsibility as a pet owner.
11. Renter’s insurance
Mention if you have renter’s insurance, as it can provide added security for the landlord.
12. Explanatory letter
If you have any unique circumstances or negative marks on your rental history or credit report, provide a brief letter explaining the situation and what you’ve done to address it.
13. Proof of legal status
If you’re not a U.S. citizen, provide proof of your legal status, such as a visa or resident card.
14. Background check
Some landlords may require consent for a background check. Indicate your willingness to undergo such a check, and provide any necessary authorization forms.
15. Reasons for renting
Include a section where you explain why you’re seeking this particular apartment and what drew you to it.
16. Additional documentation
Depending on the landlord’s requirements, you may need to provide additional documentation, such as a rental application form, proof of identity (e.g., driver’s license), or other documents specific to the property.
Drafting your rental resume
Here’s what should be included in each section of your renal resume:
Section 1: Personal information
The first section of your rental resume should include your personal information, such as your full name, contact information, and date of birth. You should also include information about any pets you have, as some landlords have pet policies that restrict certain types or breeds of animals.
Section 2: Financial information
In the second section of your rental resume, you should provide information about your financial background. This includes your current employment status, monthly income, and credit score. Landlords want to ensure that their tenants can afford to pay rent and are financially responsible, so providing this information can help put their minds at ease.
Section 3: Rental history
The third section of your rental resume should detail your rental history. This includes information about your previous rental properties, such as the address, length of tenancy, and contact information for your previous landlords. It’s important to provide accurate and honest information, as landlords may conduct background checks and verify the information you provide.
Section 4: References
The final section of your rental resume should include references. These can be personal or professional references, and should include contact information for each reference. Make sure to ask for permission before including someone as a reference, and choose individuals who can speak positively about your character and rental history.
How to draft a standout rental resume
Here are some additional steps for creating a rental resume that makes you stand out from the competition.
- Use a professional format
Your rental resume should be formatted in a professional manner, with clear headings and bullet points to make it easy to read.
- Highlight your strengths
Use your rental resume to highlight your strengths as a tenant, such as your responsible financial history or excellent rental references.
- Be concise
Keep your rental resume concise and to the point. Landlords are busy and don’t have time to read through lengthy documents.
- Customize for each property:
Tailor your rental resume for each property you apply to, highlighting information that is most relevant to the specific landlord or property.
Include a cover letter: Consider including a cover letter with your rental resume, introducing yourself and explaining why you would be an ideal tenant for the property.
Rental resume template
Need a little help writing your own resume? A renter’s resume can be the defining aspect of an application, so create your own unique resume to yourself apart from the rest. Here’s a template to get you started.
[Name]
[Current address]
[Phone number]
[Email address]
[Objective: Provide a few sentences that express your interest and explain why you want to move into this particular apartment.]
Example: I’m leaving my current apartment because I want to live within walking distance of my work. My current apartment is a 30-minute drive away, and my lease is expiring at the end of the month. My next apartment will be a long-term commitment, as I don’t plan on leaving the area or switching jobs.
[Background: Provide a little insight into who you are and why you’d make an ideal tenant.]
Example: I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and I have lived and worked in Columbus, Ohio for the last 4 years. I am a registered nurse at Nationwide Children’s Hospital where I have worked for 3 years. I worked at Nationwide Children’s Hospital as an administrator before being hired as an RN. I enjoy hiking and going on long bike rides. I don’t have any pets and don’t plan on getting any in the near future. I have never been evicted and have no criminal history.
[Rental history: Include your past apartments and provide landlord/property manager name and phone number, if possible.]
The Woods at Granville
4167 Granville Village St.
Granville, OH
November 2019 – Present
Contact: Kathy Porter, Property Manager (604) 521-1899
Rent: $750/month
Reason for moving: would like to be closer to work
[Rental References: You can include a longer-form reference letter with your resume if available, but include basic contact information for references here.]
Rasheed Townsend
(604) 576-1989
rtownsend23@gmail.com
Rasheed has been my next-door neighbor for the past year. I will also provide a more in-depth reference letter from Rasheed.
Frequently asked questions
A rental resume can help you stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of getting approved for a rental property. It provides landlords with the information they need to evaluate you as a potential tenant.
Your rental resume should be formatted in a professional manner, with clear headings and bullet points to make it easy to read. Keep it concise and to the point, and use a format that is easy to scan quickly.
To make your rental resume stand out, highlight your strengths as a tenant and tailor your resume for each property you apply to. Use a professional format, and consider including a cover letter to introduce yourself and explain why you would be an ideal tenant for the property.
If you don’t have a rental history, you can still provide information about your personal and financial background, as well as references that can vouch for your character and responsibility. You may also want to consider offering to pay a larger security deposit or providing additional information that can help put landlords at ease.
Final thoughts
Creating a rental resume is an important step in the rental application process. By providing accurate and comprehensive information about your personal and financial background, rental history, and references, you can increase your chances of standing out to landlords and securing the rental property of your dreams. Remember to use a professional format, highlight your strengths, and customize your rental resume for each property you apply to. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a standout rental resume that gets you noticed by landlords.
Have your rental resume on hand and ready to go so that once you find your dream apartment, you can submit it before the competition. Search thousands of apartments on Zumper and get ready for your next place.
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