How to submit a successful rental application

Your rental application is one of the things the real estate agent, property manager and landlord will look at to determine if you’re the right tenant for the property. It is important that your application is correct and stands out from the crowd in order to get it approved. If you understand what property managers and landlords are looking for, and you are willing to take care during the application process, you will be surprised by what you can secure.

Applying for a rental property can be overwhelming and intimidating. You want to be able to give yourself the best chance of being successful, and competition is strong. In this video, we provide a guide that helps you submit a successful tenancy application and ultimately secure a rental property.

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First Impressions Count

Being on time to inspections and is common courtesy. As is being reasonable and pleasant at the inspection to the property manager. Make a good impression at the rental inspection by looking presentable – it shows you are keen to secure the property and you take the application process seriously. Being presentable gives an impression of responsibility, with is important in the eyes of any landlord.

Provide a Complete Application with All Supporting Documents

You will be provided with a list of documents that you are required to submit in conjunction with your application. In most instances, you’ll need the completed application form, photo ID, payslips or proof of employment or bank statements, references; pet references and a cover letter.

Ensure you hall ALL documents ready for submission. There is no point in submitting an application without all the required supporting documents as it won’t be processed. If you are applying for a property with other people, ensure that they have done the same and supplied a fully completed application and supplied all supporting documents, otherwise you may miss out. The reason is because property manager and landlord will need to consider every single person who wishes to rent the place and determine if they’re suitable tenants. Having a completed set of documentation for all applicants/housemates will increase your chances of getting to the top of the pile and securing the property.

Apply straight after the inspection and make sure you complete as much of the application as you can. If there are any sections you are unable to complete, explain why. Don’t submit a rushed or incomplete application if you really want that property. Be honest about all relevant details, including disclosing how many people will live at the property and your previous rental history.

This will show that you are keen to get the property and it makes it much easier to mark you as a potential candidate. A well-thought-out tenancy application is more likely to get you the property as it shows you are transparent, organised, honest and reliable.

Photo Identification

Photo identification is an important part of the legal requirement to prove your identity. To apply for a property, you’ll need to provide 100 points of ID, so have these items ready to provide copies of when asked. Photo identification documents can include Driver’s licence, Passport, Official proof of age card.

Employment and Income

It’s important that you show that you will be able to pay the rent. This can be evidenced by your rental history along with your employment history, current payslips, and bank statements. Showing you have stable work history may be of benefit, and indicate that you are able to hold down a job, therefore deemed a low risk of not being able to pay the rent on time. Bear in mind that the property manager is likely to contact your employer to confirm your employment, so it is advisable to let them know they may receive a call. If your work history is not stable, you can prove you can pay the rent by showing you have good savings in your bank account, which will help make your application more robust. This will show that you have adequate funds to pay the rent, despite not having a regular income in the lead up to applying for the property.

Rental History

Your rental history is important. The stronger picture you can provide of your rental history, the more favourable your application will be. The key qualities a property manager will look for is that the rent was paid on time, the property was looked after, and the relationship with the previous agent was polite and positive, with matters such as repairs or routine inspections being dealt with co-operatively and easily.

The property manager will want to know details such as the address of the previous rented property, the lease start and end dates, the amount of rent and details of the agency or property manager. It is also advisable to have a rental ledger and a rental reference from the outgoing property manager to attach to your application.

You should know what your rental is history is like, so that you are not faced with any surprises, so find out your history in advance and clear up any negative issues or rental discrepancies before applying, to improve your chances. If you’ve had a past court order to vacate due to a breach of your lease, or have left a property owing more than the bond, you may be flagged on a tenancy database. When property managers see this, they will not recommend you, so avoid being listed at all costs.

If you are new to renting then providing references from your current and previous employers as well as character references from people who are not relatives will also help. You may want to try a joint tenancy with a friend who has a previous positive rental history or ask a relative, who can act as a financial guarantor, to jointly take out the lease with you.

References

Any evidence from past landlords, an employer, or personal/character references that indicate you are trustworthy are suitable and provide additional weight to your application. With good recommendations from your references, you can prove to the real estate agent/property manager that you are reliable, will pay the rent on time and take good care of the property.

When choosing referees, ask referees for permission before listing them. Let them know that are looking to list their details on your application and once you get their approval, ask them to send a reference letter and/or their contact details.

Ask your previous landlord or real estate agent if they can provide you with a reference. The written reference should include details such as whether they recommend you as a tenant, was the rent paid in full and time, and was the property maintained and left in good condition.

Personal/Character References are helpful as they show what type of person you are, and will assist the property manager and landlord with deciding if you are the right fit for the property. Someone with a respectful and good all-round character is more likely to look after a property and treat it as if it were their own. A personal or character reference might be provided by your manager or work colleague, or someone you know outside of your family. Ideally, you will have known that person for at least 12 months. A personal reference should include the relationship the referee has with the tenant and if applicable how they know you, how long they have known you, your personal qualities, and their contact information. Personal/Character references do not have to be long, but they do need to be positive, relevant and come from credible sources.

Pet friendly rentals are competitive so it is worthwhile obtaining pet reference from your previous property manager.

Cover Letter

First impressions matter and including a cover letter to your application could be the added detail that puts you ahead of the competition. It should be formal but let some of your personality shine through. Write about who you are, what do you do for a living, the reason for your move, and when you are available to move in. Give a brief overview of your rental history and make mention of any special circumstances such as pets. List everyone who will be living at the property, detailing who you are and why you are the best candidates. Include photos of any pets that will be residing at the property and detail if they will be living inside or outside the rental.

Follow Up

Once you submit your application, it will generally take between 24 – 48 hours to process. They will check your previous rent history, verify employment and affordability of the rent, speak with your references/referees, check the application again national tenancy database, and converse with the landlord about the application.

If you are approved for the property, the property manager will contact you immediately to share the good news, and then arrange for a deposit to be paid and the lease signed.

After you have submitted your application, if you not heard anything after 48 hours, politely follow up with the property manager for an update, letting them know are interested in the property and you are happy to provide any additional information or references they might need or answer any additional questions.

If you're ready to discover how you can rent out your property with confidence, download our free Step By Step Checklist to Renting Your Property with Confidence.

YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST

In summary, having the above areas covered when submitting a tenancy application will encourage the best outcome! The property manager is predominantly concerned if the applicant can afford to pay the rent, and that they are reliable and will look after the property.

Rental applications shouldn’t be too intimidating if you understand the process. At One Agency JD property Agents, we care about providing tenants with a home and efficient application process. We value our tenants and we’re here to help. Our current properties for lease are always being updated, so we encourage you keep an eye on our listings.

We hope these tips have been helpful. If you feel you could benefit from our experience with property management, we’d love to hear from you. Simply reach out.  We hope that has helped you today. If you have any questions, we’d love to talk to you. Our number is 0426 264 771 or 0455 147 755. We look forward to talking to you soon.