How to Win a Rental Application - 7 Tips to Help Get Accepted Faster
Wednesday January 31 2024
Finding a rental these days is like searching for a needle in a haystack. With historically low vacancy rates, competition is fierce in the rental market and landing your dream place can feel like winning the lottery. So, the first step is to make sure your application is in tip top shape y’all!
Looking for a new place to rent can be stressful af, and getting your rental application approved can be tricky business. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are our top tips to securing your dream Mojo Dojo Casa House.
7 tips for a winning rental application
1. Be on the ball while searching for a rental property
When you’re on the hunt for your next rental property, it’s important to keep an open mind. You might not always get your first preference, so please for the love of good keep your options open and have multiple properties on the go.
Luckily, you can save your searches on realestate.com.au and flatmates.com.au and get notified when new properties are listed that match your criteria. You’ll be living your best RHOBH life with this personal assistant on the lookout for you!
It’s also super important to ensure you choose properties and areas that you can actually afford – seems obvi but it’s harder than you might think. Lifestyle creep is real and keeping up with the Joneses is a joy suck.
Luckily, we got you on the budgeting front with our guide on how to budget when you move out of home. You can set a price limit while searching. Websites like realestate.com.au let you look at the median rental price per suburb and even break it down by number of bedrooms in a property and if it is a house or an apartment. Plus, if you’re considering sharing with housemates or just looking for a more affordable area, Flatmates’ Cheaper Suburb Finder tool can help you find similar nearby suburbs to where you’re looking and save you some cash in the process.
So, when you’re on the prowl for your next rental, keep your options open and your budget in mind. With these hot tips at the tips of your fingies, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect place to call home!
2. First impressions count at inspections
When it comes to property inspections, first impressions are everything. Whether you’re meeting a potential landlord, property manager or checking out a room for rent from someone you found on the internet, it’s important to make a positive impact from the get-go.
First up - stay cool, calm and and courteous. Say hi, introduce yourself, and having a friendly chinwag goes a long way. And of course, arrive on time. Punctuality shows that you’re reliable and respectful of other people’s time.
Dress for the house you want - no need to go overboard, but looking tidy (we know that’s boring) and put-together will show that you take the opportunity seriously. And speaking of tidy, be mindful of your own cleanliness. Avoid being too critical of the property or the current tenants. It’s fine to ask questions and point out any concerns, but remember that you are gin through someones’ house – having someone come in to your home and critique the place wouldn’t fill you with the fuzzy wuzzies.
These tips go for formal property inspections as well as renting a room off platforms like Flatmates.com.au. The first impression you make can set the tone for the rest of your time together, so make it count sis!
3. Make sure you have all the documents you need for a rental application
So you’ve found the perfect apartment and you’re ready to fill out the rental application. Before you get started, it’s important to make sure you have all the necessary docs in order to streamline the process and increase your chances of getting approved. Here’s a quick rundown of the essential paperwork you’ll need to have on hand.
Employment details and pay slips
Your potential landlord will want to verify that you’re a reliable tenant and able to pay rent on time. So they might want to contact your employer to confirm your for real and your income is legit so be sure to have current employer’s contact information handy when filling out forms.
You may also need to provide your most recent payslips, or even a letter from your HR department confirming your employment and income. And it wouldn’t hurt to have your bank statements on hand, just in case.
These documents can help assure your landlord that you have a steady income and can afford to make the rent payments. Plus, being organised and prepared with this info can help make the rental application process go smoothly. Good luck with the new place!
Rental history or rental ledger
It’s standard to provide the details for the last few places you’ve lived (sometimes more if you’ve moved a lot in a short space of time). Make sure to list all your current and previous rental info. This includes the address, lease dates, rent amount, and property manager or previous landlord details. Don’t forget to attach a rental reference from your previous property manager and if you can, include a rental ledger too.
Photo identification
It’s important to have the right photo identification to prove who you are when you’re applying for a lease.
Photo identification documents, also called primary forms of ID, can include:
- Drivers licence
- Passport
- Keypass or other official proof of age card
Secondary forms of ID can include:
- Birth certificate
- Medicare card
- ATM card
- Student ID card
- Vehicle registration
- Health care card
- Bank statement
- Utility bill (with current address)
- Signed lease
- Payslip
- Employment letter or reference
Remember, when applying for a property, be sure to bring along both primary and secondary forms of ID to ensure a smooth and successful application process.
Reference letters
When applying for a rental property, having reference letters can really boost your chances of getting approved. If you have a rental history, make sure to gather reference letters from past landlords, property managers and employers that showcase that you’re a) trustworthy and b) respectful.
If you don’t have a rental history, don’t worry! You can still include personal references such as teachers, friends’ parents, and employers. Just make sure to inform your references and obtain their consent to be contacted by the property manager or landlord.
Having these reference letters ready to go when applying for a rental property can really make you stand out as a responsible and reliable tenant. So start reaching out to the important people in your life and get those letters lined up!
If your references aren’t great writers, you can simply list their names and their relationship to you, along with contact details so potential landlords and property managers can speak to them directly.
4. Cover letter
A rental cover letter is your chance to introduce yourself to the landlord, make a good first impression and is one of the best ways to stand out from the crowd.
When it comes to writing your cover letter, it’s all about showcasing your personal and professional background. Be sure to give a brief rundown of who you are and what you do. If you’ve got a rental history, mention it! But if not, don’t sweat it. You can always show how responsible you are by focusing on things like ongoing employment or personal references.
Oh, and here’s the kicker - tailor each cover letter to the specific property you’re interested in. Let the landlord know what features of the property appeal to you the most. It shows that you’re genuinely interested and paying attention to what they have to offer.
And lastly, don’t forget to mention any special circumstances that might be relevant. Whether it’s a pet that’s coming along with you or a specific need for the property, be upfront and honest about it. If you think there could be any concerns in your rental or employment history, now is the time to get it out of the way and explain.
5. Get your housemates organised
When moving into a new rental, it’s not just about you - your housemates need to be organised too. Make sure they have all the necessary documents and information ready, including primary and secondary IDs, rental history, and proof of income. It’s important for everyone to be on the same page and have their paperwork sorted out before the inspection.
If you don’t have housemates yet, consider whether you can afford the property on your own before applying. If not, jump online to “Team Up” with some new housemates to split the cost of living and save some money. If you find your housemates after securing your rental, you may need to add them to the lease officially through your property manager, and there can be a cost associated with this.
6. Apply online
So, you’ve found the perfect place to rent and you’re ready to apply. The good news is that you can do it all online! Just head to the property listing on realestate.com.au and look for the “Apply” button. From there, you’ll fill out a simple tenant application using Renter Profile.
But what if you’re looking at multiple properties and don’t want to fill out a separate application for each one? No worries! You can use the same tenant application for multiple properties, saving you time and effort. Just make sure to customise it to fit each property you’re applying for.
At Flatmates, we’re not quite as formal obvi - but it helps to have filled out your person listing if you’re searching for somewhere to live, and remember to write a nice note to introduce yourself when messaging the person offering the property.
7. Follow Up
If you don’t hear back immediately, don’t stress. Feel free to follow up with the property agent or landlord to show your continued interest in the property. This not only keeps the lines of communication open, but it also shows your enthusiasm and reliability as a potential tenant. Werk!
When following up, be sure to express your ongoing interest in the property and reiterate why you think it’s the perfect fit for you. Offer to provide any additional information or documentation if needed, such as references or proof of income. Showing that you’re organised and proactive and simultaneously making making the process easier for the agent or landlord. Win-win!
Even if you’re not successful with this particular property, following up can help keep the relationship open for future opportunities. The agent or landlord may remember your fab vibe and reach out to you directly if they have another property that suits your needs.
So, don’t be afraid to send a quick follow-up message after submitting your application. It could make all the difference in securing your dream rental!
How long do rental applications take?
Applying for a rental can feel like a never-ending waiting game, but the process doesn’t have to be a mystery. Rental applications typically take around 3-7 days to process, but this can vary based on a few factors. The completeness of your application is a big one – if you forget to include important documents or references, it can slow things down. The number of applications the landlord or property manager receives can also affect the timeline.
Once your application is in, the landlord or property manager will usually take 1-3 days to review everything and make a decision. The key to speeding up the process is having all of your required documents and references ready to go from the get-go. Being super organised can help you get a leg up on the competition, so you can start making plans for your new place ASAP.
Can you put in multiple rental applications?
When you’re on the hunt for a rental property in a competitive market, it’s essential to increase your chances of securing a place by putting in multiple rental applications.
One way to make the process easier is by using a Renter Profile on realestate.com.au, or creating a person profile on Flatmates.com.au. This can help reduce the time spent filling in multiple applications, as some of your information will already be on file.
On Flatmates, once you create a person profile, you might even find people reaching out to you to offer you homes rather than the other way around!
How to find alternative rental properties?
Looking for rental properties can be overwhelming, but there are a few different methods that can make the process easier. Flatmates doesn’t just offer spare rooms for accommodation, you can also find whole homes and lease transfers as well. Use large online rental websites like realestate.com.au to find a wide range of options in different neighbourhoods.
Renting a room instead of a one-bedroom apartment can also be a smart move, allowing you to build a rental history and save money for living in a more desirable area or spending on other exciting things.
Keep an open mind too, it is 2024! Flatmates.com.au’s Cheaper Suburb Finder can help you find more affordable areas nearby your dream location. By exploring these alt burbs, you’ll have a better chance of finding the perfect rental property for your needs.
