How to Rent an Apartment with No Rental History 

Due to life’s different circumstances, let’s say you need to rent in a place far from your home. Everything’s ready, except for one thing. You don’t have a rental history. Is it possible to rent without any rental history? Absolutely! In this guide, we’re going to discuss the different ways to rent without any rental history and the different things to consider as a first-time renter. 

Main Takeaways

• Having no rental history does not automatically prevent you from getting approved for an apartment. Strong income, steady employment, and good references can help strengthen your application.
• A cosigner, guarantor, or roommate with strong financial qualifications may improve your chances, depending on the landlord’s screening requirements.
• Be honest about why you do not have a rental history and provide documents that show you can pay rent on time and meet your responsibilities as a tenant.

What is Rental History? 

Simply put, a rental history is a summary of your past experiences renting homes. It includes previous rent details such as how long you stayed, payment history, any delinquencies, and more serious issues like evictions. Landlords use this to understand prior rental behavior and decide whether you would be a risk to their property. 

9 Ways to Get Approved With No Rental History 

As your local property managers in Philadelphia, we know everything you need to start your rental journey, even without a rental history. We understand that finding a place to rent might feel tough especially if you don’t have any rental history. But don’t worry! There are ways to increase your chances of getting approved. As we mentioned above, people with no rental history can rent as long as you follow these tips we’ll give you so you can start your rental journey. 

1. Offer a Larger Security Deposit If Allowed

Offering a larger security deposit may help reassure some landlords when you have no rental history. However, landlords and tenants must still follow state and local limits on security deposits.

In Pennsylvania, landlords generally cannot require more than two months’ rent as a security deposit during the first year of a lease. Before offering additional money, check what the landlord can legally accept.

2. Show Proof of Income 

Not everyone has the capacity to increase the security deposit, especially when moving expenses can quickly add up. Because of this, showing proof of income to your landlord that demonstrates your ability to cover the monthly rent is crucial. Even without a rental history, proof that you have a stable job and reliable form of income is a huge plus that can help your approval odds. 

Proof of income can include pay stubs from your job, bank statements, or tax returns if you’re a self-employed individual. 

3. Provide Proof of Employment 

If your reason for renting is to move closer to where you currently work, it can definitely substantiate proof of employment – which is essential for any rental application.  

Proof of employment typically includes a letter from your employer that confirms your position, current salary, and how long you’ve been with the company. This can go a long way to show that you are a responsible and reliable person, even if you are a first-time renter.

4. Consider Renting with a Roommate 

Practicality speaking, you can consider renting with a roommate. This can actually be a good solution to increase your chances of approval. When opt for a roommate, you both share the costs, from rent to utility bills. If your roommate has strong income, credit, or rental history, applying together may strengthen the application. In short, renting with a roommate makes the landlord worry less about not getting paid. 

If your roommate has rented a place before, that’s even better. Landlords usually feel better about renting to people who’ve rented before, so if you don’t have any renting experience, and your roommate has, it can definitely help. 

That said, before you agree to rent with someone, make sure you both get along in terms of how you live and how you’re paying all the bills to prevent problems from arising moving forward. 

5. Collect References 

Collecting references means gathering people who can testify for your character. Your references should be available to be interviewed by a landlord or a property management company about how trustworthy and responsible you are. 

It is a best practice to get the names and contact info of your references to include with your initial application. That way, the landlord or property manager handling the screening process can easily reach out. 

6. Get a Cosigner 

Aside from collecting references, another tip we can give is to get a cosigner. A cosigner is usually a close friend or family member with a strong financial history. After all, they are agreeing to pay the rent if you can’t. Having a cosigner makes the landlord feel better about renting to you because they trust that the rent will be paid, even if you can’t do it yourself. 

When you ask someone to be your cosigner, it’s important to talk openly with them about what it means. You should explain your renting situation and why you need their help. Make sure to give the landlord information about your cosigner’s finances and contact details, so they can check if they’re a good fit. 

7. Get a Guarantor 

A guarantor is another person who agrees to take financial responsibility if you fail to meet your lease obligations (which you don’t want to happen.) 

When deciding who your guarantor would be, make sure to choose someone who trusts you and has good financial standing. It could be a family member, a close friend, or someone who believes in you. 

Be ready to give the landlord info about your guarantor, so the landlord can check if they’re a good fit. 

8. Show Proof of Regular Payments 

Aside from showing proof of employment, or proof of income, another tip we can share to rent with no rental history is to show proof of regular payments. One good way to do this is by showing that you consistently pay things like electricity, phone, or credit card bills on time. This demonstrates that you are responsible and diligent with your financial commitments. 

If you’ve lived with roommates or sublet from someone before, you can ask them to write a letter or statement confirming that you paid your share of the rent and other bills on time. 

9. Explain Your Situation 

Lastly, aside from all the requirements we listed above, the best thing you can do is to explain your situation to the landlord. Having an honest talk with the landlord helps them see that you’re trustworthy and understand your situation better. It’s a chance to deal with any worries they might have and improve your chances of getting the place, even without a rental history. 

First-time renters can also review these additional tips for renting their first apartment. 

FAQs About Renting With No Rental History

Renting your first apartment can bring up plenty of questions, especially when you do not have previous landlords who can vouch for you. Here are answers to a few common questions about getting approved with no rental history.

Do Apartments Accept Tenants With No Rental History?

Yes. Having no rental history does not automatically disqualify you from renting an apartment. Landlords may look at your income, employment, credit history, references, and other information to decide whether you can reliably pay rent and follow the lease.

Can You Use Personal References If You Have No Previous Landlord?

Yes, some landlords may accept personal or professional references when you do not have a previous landlord. Consider asking an employer, professor, supervisor, or another person who can speak about your reliability and responsibility.

Do You Need a Cosigner to Rent Your First Apartment?

Not always. You may be approved based on your income, credit, employment, and other screening requirements. However, a landlord may require or allow a cosigner if you do not meet their financial qualifications on your own.

How Can You Build a Rental History?

Pay your rent on time, follow the terms of your lease, take care of the property, and communicate with your landlord when problems arise. Keeping records of rent payments and maintaining a good relationship with your landlord can also help when you apply for another rental in the future.

How Bay Property Management Group Can Help 

With these tips, we hope you can secure the rental property of your dreams – even without any rental history!

If you’re a landlord, screening potential tenants is one of the most crucial tasks you have. It is also time consuming. When it comes to the stress of managing multiple rental properties, why not let the experts at Bay Property Management Group do all of the heavy lifting. Bay Property Management Group offers comprehensive rental management services in Philadelphia, from tenant screening to maintenance, rent collection, and more. Give us a call today to get started.