Making Your Rental Application Stand Out: 8 Strategies & Tips for Success
Aug 14, 2024
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Standing out from everyone else in a competitive rental market can seem difficult, even impossible at times, but this guide will make it easy. Speaking from personal experience, finding an apartment or condo to rent in a sky-high market like Toronto can sometimes require impeccable references, guarantors, and even months' worth of rent upfront.
If you don’t want to miss out on your dream rental, follow our top tips and strategies to stand out on your rental application.
Looking for an apartment or condo to rent? Check out these top rental websites in Canada. Once you’ve found your dream space, here’s a guide to your rights as a tenant in Canada.
How to Make Your Rental Application Form Stand Out
Among the many applications each landlord receives, you want to stand out, you want to make an impression. Here are 8 tips on how to do so:
Be Prepared
Before filling out and submitting a rental application (like the OREA 410 in Ontario), ensure you have all the documents and references you’ll need. The faster you can submit all the documents, the better your chances of securing the rental.
Documents you’ll need include:
Government-issued photo ID, like a passport or driver’s license
Bank statements that show you’re able to meet the rental requirement for a few months
Proof of employment, like an employment letter from your boss
Proof of income, like last year’s T4 slip
Completed rental application form, with all fields filled out
Submit a Cover Letter for Your Rental Application
While not required, a well-written cover letter can help landlords sway in your direction when choosing a tenant. In your cover letter, introduce yourself and tell the landlord a little bit about why you’re leaving your current rental and why you want to want to rent their property.
Keep it sincere, short, and sweet. You want to be unique and personable and make a positive impression on the landlord.
Have a Complete Application
This goes hand in hand with being prepared before submitting your application. Have all your documents ready and completed, and send them over with the rental application form.
Many landlords get incomplete applications, in which they need to chase references, proof of income, and other documents. If you know anything about landlords, they won’t do this. They will simply move on to the next application.
For the best chance of securing your dream rental, submit everything together and on time.
Include Good References
You’ll generally need to include two or more references in your rental application form. These references should be reliable and not directly related to you.
A few examples of reputable references could be a former colleague, boss, or family friend–someone who knows you well and can attest to your character and trustworthiness. The landlord will contact the references, so be sure to let them know.
Leave a Positive Impression
When meeting the landlord to view the property and discuss rental terms, be courteous, on time, and dress well. You want to make a good impression that shows you’re reliable and trustworthy and the best prospective tenant they could have.
Communicate professionally and show interest in the property. This is the perfect time to ask any questions regarding the rental, availability, and if any additional requirements are needed.
Photo by Amina Atar on Unsplash
Provide Proof of Income
One of the most important parts of the rental application is showing that you can pay your rent every month. Landlords need to see that you earn more than three times the amount of rent each month, or they will likely deny your application.
Renting is a business, after all. Landlords don’t want to rent to someone who is struggling and can’t afford to pay rent every month.
To show your proof of income, include the previous year’s T4 slip or proof of employment letter that clearly states how much you earn and when you started your job. For those who are self-employed, send over bank statements that show consistent income deposits.
Offer Money Upfront or Get a Guarantor
In very competitive rental markets, you may need to offer additional months’ rent upfront, get a guarantor, or both.
Some people offer 6 to 12 months' rent upfront to show the landlord they can afford the rental property. You can also do this if you don’t have a steady income or are in between jobs.
If you don’t have that much money saved up and want an advantage over other prospective tenants, you can appoint a guarantor on the lease, who will act as the person to pay rent if you cannot. A guarantor can be a close friend or family member with a good credit score and high income.
Be Honest and Upfront
It’s important to be honest about things like your employment status, how much you earn, and how much you can afford when renting an apartment. If you try to hide certain information, it will likely reveal itself during the verification process.
Remember that landlords will contact your references and employers to verify the information you’ve given them. If you don’t fully meet all the requirements but are authentic and cooperative, the landlord may be helpful and work with you to find a solution.
By implementing these eight strategies, you can significantly enhance your chances of success and stand out in the competitive rental market.
Here’s a bonus tip for you: by paying your rent with Chexy, you can guarantee that your landlord gets their rent every time, so they don’t need to worry about late rent payments. Mentioning this to the landlord when submitting your rental application and cover letter can give you a higher chance of being accepted.
With Chexy, you can pay rent with your credit card and earn rewards on it, as well as build your credit score. Start making your biggest monthly expense work for you.
Subscribe to our newsletter below for up-to-date credit card, travel, and rental content.
FAQs
How can I stand out on the tenant rental application form in BC?
The rental application form in BC is similar to those in all other provinces. Following the tips above will give you the best chance at securing your dream rental.
What is the lowest credit score to rent an apartment in Canada?
There is no universal minimum credit score you need to rent an apartment in Canada, but you should aim for a good credit score of at least 660 for the best chances of approval.
What are 3 questions you should ask yourself to make sure you are ready to rent?
Three questions you can ask yourself are:
Can I afford to pay for the monthly rent plus all additional costs?
Do I have a good credit score?
Do I have all the documents and completed the rental application form?
Standing out from everyone else in a competitive rental market can seem difficult, even impossible at times, but this guide will make it easy. Speaking from personal experience, finding an apartment or condo to rent in a sky-high market like Toronto can sometimes require impeccable references, guarantors, and even months' worth of rent upfront.
If you don’t want to miss out on your dream rental, follow our top tips and strategies to stand out on your rental application.
Looking for an apartment or condo to rent? Check out these top rental websites in Canada. Once you’ve found your dream space, here’s a guide to your rights as a tenant in Canada.
How to Make Your Rental Application Form Stand Out
Among the many applications each landlord receives, you want to stand out, you want to make an impression. Here are 8 tips on how to do so:
Be Prepared
Before filling out and submitting a rental application (like the OREA 410 in Ontario), ensure you have all the documents and references you’ll need. The faster you can submit all the documents, the better your chances of securing the rental.
Documents you’ll need include:
Government-issued photo ID, like a passport or driver’s license
Bank statements that show you’re able to meet the rental requirement for a few months
Proof of employment, like an employment letter from your boss
Proof of income, like last year’s T4 slip
Completed rental application form, with all fields filled out
Submit a Cover Letter for Your Rental Application
While not required, a well-written cover letter can help landlords sway in your direction when choosing a tenant. In your cover letter, introduce yourself and tell the landlord a little bit about why you’re leaving your current rental and why you want to want to rent their property.
Keep it sincere, short, and sweet. You want to be unique and personable and make a positive impression on the landlord.
Have a Complete Application
This goes hand in hand with being prepared before submitting your application. Have all your documents ready and completed, and send them over with the rental application form.
Many landlords get incomplete applications, in which they need to chase references, proof of income, and other documents. If you know anything about landlords, they won’t do this. They will simply move on to the next application.
For the best chance of securing your dream rental, submit everything together and on time.
Include Good References
You’ll generally need to include two or more references in your rental application form. These references should be reliable and not directly related to you.
A few examples of reputable references could be a former colleague, boss, or family friend–someone who knows you well and can attest to your character and trustworthiness. The landlord will contact the references, so be sure to let them know.
Leave a Positive Impression
When meeting the landlord to view the property and discuss rental terms, be courteous, on time, and dress well. You want to make a good impression that shows you’re reliable and trustworthy and the best prospective tenant they could have.
Communicate professionally and show interest in the property. This is the perfect time to ask any questions regarding the rental, availability, and if any additional requirements are needed.
Photo by Amina Atar on Unsplash
Provide Proof of Income
One of the most important parts of the rental application is showing that you can pay your rent every month. Landlords need to see that you earn more than three times the amount of rent each month, or they will likely deny your application.
Renting is a business, after all. Landlords don’t want to rent to someone who is struggling and can’t afford to pay rent every month.
To show your proof of income, include the previous year’s T4 slip or proof of employment letter that clearly states how much you earn and when you started your job. For those who are self-employed, send over bank statements that show consistent income deposits.
Offer Money Upfront or Get a Guarantor
In very competitive rental markets, you may need to offer additional months’ rent upfront, get a guarantor, or both.
Some people offer 6 to 12 months' rent upfront to show the landlord they can afford the rental property. You can also do this if you don’t have a steady income or are in between jobs.
If you don’t have that much money saved up and want an advantage over other prospective tenants, you can appoint a guarantor on the lease, who will act as the person to pay rent if you cannot. A guarantor can be a close friend or family member with a good credit score and high income.
Be Honest and Upfront
It’s important to be honest about things like your employment status, how much you earn, and how much you can afford when renting an apartment. If you try to hide certain information, it will likely reveal itself during the verification process.
Remember that landlords will contact your references and employers to verify the information you’ve given them. If you don’t fully meet all the requirements but are authentic and cooperative, the landlord may be helpful and work with you to find a solution.
By implementing these eight strategies, you can significantly enhance your chances of success and stand out in the competitive rental market.
Here’s a bonus tip for you: by paying your rent with Chexy, you can guarantee that your landlord gets their rent every time, so they don’t need to worry about late rent payments. Mentioning this to the landlord when submitting your rental application and cover letter can give you a higher chance of being accepted.
With Chexy, you can pay rent with your credit card and earn rewards on it, as well as build your credit score. Start making your biggest monthly expense work for you.
Subscribe to our newsletter below for up-to-date credit card, travel, and rental content.
FAQs
How can I stand out on the tenant rental application form in BC?
The rental application form in BC is similar to those in all other provinces. Following the tips above will give you the best chance at securing your dream rental.
What is the lowest credit score to rent an apartment in Canada?
There is no universal minimum credit score you need to rent an apartment in Canada, but you should aim for a good credit score of at least 660 for the best chances of approval.
What are 3 questions you should ask yourself to make sure you are ready to rent?
Three questions you can ask yourself are:
Can I afford to pay for the monthly rent plus all additional costs?
Do I have a good credit score?
Do I have all the documents and completed the rental application form?