How To Get The Apartment Everyone Wants

Nov 30, 2007 - 15:16 PM PST

Looking for a place to rent can be a grueling experience. Especially when you’re in a competitive rental market. The application fees can also really add up depending on how many applications you turn in. So now you’ve found an apartment or house, you really love it. Problem is, so does everyone else. Here are some things you can do to give you an edge over the other applicants.
You need to know what your credit looks like in advance. Even if you think it’s great. Credit is important to most landlords or property managers and they will most likely pull it up. If your credit turns up less than perfect you will need to clarify how reliable you are when paying your rent. Negative ratings due to medical bills are the easiest to explain. Delinquents or late payments on other bills take more convincing. You’ll need to clarify that you consider your rent the most important expense and you have always paid your rent first before all other expenses.
You need to build rapport with the landlord or property manager. Most people like doing business with people they like. While you’re building rapport with the person find out what they are looking for in a tenant. Ask what their past experiences have been with past tenants. You want to know both good and bad experiences. This will help give you insight on what is important to them and how they will decide who will be the next tenant. Some common issues landlords have are: paying rent on time, taking care of the property, how long you plan on renting the property, good credit, employment history or getting along with neighbors just to name a few.
When you turn in the application, write a letter to go along with it. First thanking them for their time to look at your application. Tell them why you like the place. Maybe it’s close to work or schools. Maybe you loved how they fixed up the place. Focus on qualities you have that are most important to them. If you did your homework with them you’ll know what to focus on. You may or may not want to include a picture. On one hand you may have a property manager or landlord concerned about the impression of violating fair housing laws and may avoid the risk all together. On the other hand, it can be a good reminder to the person that you are more than just a faceless applicant. You are a human being who wants to live in that house or apartment. You decide what the vibe is.
If for some reason you didn’t get picked, ask them what other units or houses the have coming up and keep in touch with them.
When it comes down to anything in life it’s all about relationships. If you focus and care about others wants and needs people are more likely to care about your wants and needs.