If you’ve never applied for rental housing before, you may not know how the process works or how long it should take to get approved. Usually, it’s pretty straightforward. However, the process may differ a bit depending on your landlord or the property management company you’re working with. Today, we’ll go over how to apply, how long it may take to get approved for an apartment, and tips to help with the application process.
Contents of This Article:
- How Do You Apply for an Apartment?
- How Long Does It Take to Get Approved for an Apartment?
- What May Be Causing a Delay in Approval
- Tips for Being Approved for an Apartment Quickly
- Find Your Ideal Rental With BMG
How Do You Apply for an Apartment?
If you’re looking at moving into a new apartment, the application process may vary depending on your landlord or Northern Virginia property manager. Typically, you start by looking for properties on different listing sites, like Apartments.com, Zillow, or a local property management company. From there, you can look through the available properties, and the description will tell you how to apply.
Sometimes, you can apply right there on the website, and other times, you’ll have to contact a property manager or landlord to get an application. Once you have the application, look through it to see what information you need, and fill it out thoroughly. Don’t skip any sections or leave anything blank. Most rental applications require the following information.
- Your full name
- Names of anyone else who will live at the property
- Current address and name of current landlord
- Contact information, including phone number and/or email address
- Driver’s license number
- Vehicle information
- Social security number
- Previous addresses and contact information from previous landlords
- Proof of employment and copies of paystubs
- Professional or personal references
- Background check information
- Authorization to run a credit check
Once you’ve completed your rental application, you’ll usually have to pay an application fee along with it. Follow the instructions or online prompts to ensure your application is submitted properly.
How Long Does It Take to Get Approved for an Apartment?
After submitting your application, you’ll likely hear back from the property manager or landlord within one to three business days. Sometimes, it goes quicker, and sometimes, it takes a week or longer. Ultimately, it depends on several factors.
If your rental application contains gaps or false information, you may receive a delayed response. That’s why it’s crucial to be truthful and thorough when filling out a rental application.
That said, just because you haven’t heard back from the landlord or property manager doesn’t mean you’ve been denied the apartment. It’s important to be patient and consider following up if it’s been over a week. No matter your landlord’s decision, they’ll contact you to inform you. If you’ve been approved for the apartment, they’ll contact you with the next steps, and if you’re denied, they’ll let you know why.
What May Be Causing a Delay in Approval
There may be several reasons why it’s taking a while to hear back about a rental application. Whether you forgot to fill out a section or your landlord is still verifying your income, approving rental applications can take time. Here are some reasons it may be taking longer than usual.
- Missing Documents or Information
- Running Background or Credit Checks
- Confirming Employment and Income
- Contacting References
- Application Fee Didn’t Clear
Missing Documents or Information
If you don’t fill out the rental application with all the necessary information, your landlord will likely contact you to fill in the gaps. Not only does this slow the application process down, but it also doesn’t leave the best impression on the landlord. That’s why it’s important to double-check your application to ensure you’ve filled out each section, providing as much information as possible and leaving nothing blank. Additionally, if the application requires additional documents, like pay stubs, it’s important to have those, too.
Running Background or Credit Checks
Many landlords and property managers run background checks on prospective tenants. After all, it’s a quick and simple way to verify key information like your identity, monthly income, and criminal record. That said, finding and confirming your background check will take longer if any vital information is missing from the rental application.
Additionally, you’ll want to ensure they have the right information to check your credit history. If you have a poor credit history, they may ask you to bring on a co-signer, which can also slow down the process.
Confirming Employment or Income
During the application process, your landlord or property manager will reach out to your current or past employers. Aside from verifying your employment and income, employers are great character references. Sometimes, this process can take time, especially if your landlord is having trouble contacting your employer. So, if you know that your landlord will be contacting them regarding your rental application, let your boss know ahead of time so they can be prepared to speak with them.
Contacting References
Some landlords want to speak with personal references, such as friends or colleagues, in addition to professional references like previous landlords and employers. Speaking to personal references gives a better idea of your reliability, stability, and personality. However, if your landlord is unable to reach them, the application process may be delayed. So, before giving out anyone’s name or contact information, ask them for permission first. That way, they can be prepared to speak with your landlord when they call.
Application Fee Didn’t Clear
You may think it won’t happen to you, but it could happen to anyone. If your payment and application don’t go through, your landlord may see them right away. Before submitting your application, make sure you have money set aside for the processing fee and security deposit. That way, your landlord knows you’re responsible and that you have the money to pay for the apartment.
Tips for Being Approved for an Apartment Quickly
The ideal rental property can be hard to come by, and delays in the application process put you at risk of losing your dream apartment. However, there are a few things you can do to speed up the process. Here’s how you can be approved for an apartment quickly.
- Be as Thorough as Possible- Make sure you fill out each section to the best of your ability. Don’t leave anything blank, and ensure all vital information is fully legible and clearly listed.
Prepare Documents Beforehand- If your application requests documents like paystubs or credit information, make sure you submit it. If your landlord has to reach back out to get this information, it can delay the process.- Have a Co-Signer Ready- If you don’t have sufficient credit history or don’t make enough to qualify for an apartment on your own, have a co-signer ready. That way, when your landlord tells you that you need one, you already have someone on board and ready to go.
Find Your Ideal Rental With BMG
Filling out rental applications and getting approved for an apartment can be an exciting time for new renters. However, if you want to get approved as soon as possible, it’s important to know what information you need and fill out your application to the best of your ability.
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