Landlords are looking for responsible, qualified tenants that will pay their rent on time, but how can you make your application stand out in a sea of other eligible tenants? Whether you need to find a rental or want to get the rental property of your dreams, there are ways to make you and your application more appealing to landlords. To help, here are four things you can do to stand out as a tenant.
Provide Solid References
Every rental application will have a section to provide references for the landlord to contact. These references are people, not family members, who will vouch for your behavior. While a landlord would prefer to have testimonies from previous landlords, not everyone has a rental history. In these cases, you can use an employer, a university housing director, or another person who you know will provide the landlord with an excellent character review. Ideally, you want to provide three or more references.
Create a Great Cover Letter
One of the best things you can do to stand out as a tenant is to write an excellent cover letter. Most applicants don’t write a cover letter, so if you write one, you’re likely ahead of the game. You don’t have to write an entire page. In fact, two to three short paragraphs will do, so long as they’re well thought out.
With a cover letter, you have a chance to market yourself, show off your personality, and highlight why you should be the one to choose. Remember to keep it short and simple, but be honest and personable. Essentially, present yourself as someone a landlord would want to work with.
Check Your Credit Score
Your credit score will likely be one of the first things a landlord will look at to determine your eligibility, so prepare accordingly. If you don’t have an amazing credit score, you should be honest and state why. Sometimes, these things are out of your control, and a landlord will usually understand that. Additionally, if your credit score isn’t the best, you can present a financial guarantor to ensure payments will be made on time.
Make Sure All Your Documents Are Ready To Go
You need quite a few documents when you apply for a rental, such as income statements, bank statements, employment history, and your government ID. To protect your privacy, just be sure to blank out any sensitive information that your landlord doesn’t need. The more complete and organized your application is, the less back and forth you have to do with the landlord. It also shows that you’re responsible and thorough, which is always a plus.
At Excalibur Homes, we know how important your rental experience is. That’s why when you rent with us, you’ll find that our property managers are dedicated to offering professional service and swiftly handling any rental issues. If you’re in the area and are looking for the rental experience of a lifetime, contact us today and take a look at our homes for rent in Nashville, TN.
