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.Â
Main Takeaways
- Most apartment applications take one to three business days to process, although missing documents, screening delays, or difficulty verifying information can extend the timeline.
- Completing your application accurately, submitting all requested documents, and making sure references are easy to reach can help prevent unnecessary delays.
- If a tenant screening report leads to your application being denied or approved with less favorable terms, federal law requires the landlord to provide an adverse action notice explaining your rights.
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 the resident property managers in Northern Virginia you’re working with. Typically, you start by looking for properties on listing sites like Apartments.com, Zillow, or a local property management company’s website. From there, you can review available rentals and follow the instructions provided to submit an application.
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.Â
- 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 pay stubs
- 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. In Virginia, landlords generally cannot charge more than $50 for an application fee, although certain third-party screening costs may be charged separately. Follow the instructions or online prompts to ensure your application and payment are 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.Â
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.Â
That said, just because you haven’t heard back from the landlord or property manager doesn’t mean you’ve been denied the apartment. If it’s been several business days or longer than the timeline they gave you, consider following up for an update.
If your application is approved, the landlord or property manager will usually contact you with the next steps. A denial or offer of different rental terms based on information in a tenant screening report requires the landlord to provide an adverse action notice explaining your rights.
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.Â
- 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.Â
Running Background or Credit Checks
Many landlords and property managers run background checks on prospective tenants before approving a rental application. Depending on the screening process, they may review your identity, credit history, rental history, eviction records, and criminal history where permitted by law. Missing or incorrect information on your application can make these checks take longer.
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.Â
Confirming Employment or Income
During the application process, your landlord or property manager may contact your current employer to verify your employment, income, or length of employment. This process can take longer if they have trouble reaching the right person or getting the information they need. If you know your employer may be contacted, giving them a heads-up can help prevent unnecessary delays.
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. If references are required, make sure they are aware they may be contacted. That said, 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.Â
Application Fee Didn’t Clear
You may think it won’t happen to you, but it could happen to anyone. If your application fee doesn’t go through, the landlord or property manager may not begin reviewing your application. Before submitting everything, make sure you have enough money to cover the application fee and check that your payment was processed successfully. It’s also a good idea to save the confirmation email or receipt in case you need to follow up.
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.Â
- 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 pay stubs or credit information, make sure you submit them. 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.
FAQs on How Long It Takes to Get Approved for an Apartment
Waiting to hear back about an apartment can bring up plenty of questions. You may wonder how long is too long to wait, whether you should follow up, or what happens once your application is approved. Below, we answer some common questions about the apartment approval timeline and what you can expect during the process.
How long does it usually take to get approved for an apartment?
Most renters hear back within one to three business days. However, the process can take a week or longer if the landlord needs additional documents, has trouble contacting references, or experiences delays completing tenant screening.
How can you tell if your rental application was approved?
The landlord or property manager will usually contact you with the next steps. You may be asked to sign the lease, pay the security deposit or other required move-in costs, and provide any remaining documents before moving in.
Why is my rental application taking so long?
Your application may be delayed because of missing information, difficulty verifying your income or employment, problems contacting references, tenant screening delays, or an application fee that did not process correctly.
Does getting approved for an apartment mean the apartment is yours?
Not necessarily. Approval means you have met the landlord’s rental criteria, but you may still need to sign the lease and pay the required security deposit or other move-in costs. Ask the landlord or property manager what you need to do and how quickly you must complete the next steps.
Can you apply for more than one apartment at the same time?
Yes, you can apply for more than one apartment at a time. However, application fees are usually nonrefundable, so applying for several rentals can become expensive. Before submitting multiple applications, ask about availability, screening criteria, and the expected approval timeline.
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.Â
Need More Advice? contact us today!
If you’re looking for a rental property in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Northern Virginia, or Washington, DC, check out Bay Property Management Group’s current listings!
BMG offers full-service rental property management. So, if you’re a landlord wanting someone else to handle the rental application and tenant screening process, we can help! Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your rental business succeed.
