Last Updated: October 25, 2026 | Read time: 10 minutes
Learning how to rent an apartment can be overwhelming. Continue reading to learn the basics of renting an apartment and renter tips to help you get approved.
To apply for an apartment, you fill out the landlord's application, pay any application fee, and give permission for a credit and background check, along with proof of income and ID. If you're approved, you sign the lease and pay the security deposit and first month's rent before you move in.
Most applications ask for five kinds of information: identification, income verification, rental history, references, and screening authorization. Getting an apartment doesn't have to be difficult when you understand the approval process and application timeline.
Renting an apartment takes ten steps: complete the application, pay the application fee, prepare for credit and background checks, send proof of income, decide whether you need a guarantor or co-signer, provide rental references, consider personal references, prepare your security deposit, sign the lease, and move in. Before applying or paying a fee, confirm the property’s income and credit requirements, accepted income documents, and guarantor policy.
The first step is filling out the application and submitting it with the documents the landlord requests. Ask the leasing office for its expected turnaround, whether your application is complete, and when to follow up. If you need to move by a particular date, ask whether the property can meet it. Learn more about how long it takes to get approved for an apartment.
Details commonly requested on an apartment application include:
Answer every question as thoroughly as you can. Double-check your contact and employment details, since missing information can delay the review. If you're unsure how to answer a question, ask the landlord or leasing office.
For a more detailed checklist, see our guide to the documents needed to rent an apartment.
To rent an apartment, you may have to pay a nonrefundable application fee. Ask for the exact application fee before submitting, and include the total cost of planned applications in your budget. Some states and cities limit how much a landlord can charge, so check local rules before paying.
Landlords typically use these fees to cover the cost of processing applications and screening applicants, which may include credit and background checks. Before you submit, ask how much the fee is, what it covers, and whether it is refundable. Application fees are generally nonrefundable even if you're not approved, but local laws and the circumstances may affect what a landlord can charge or keep.
If you're applying to several apartments, budget for multiple fees. You can also ask whether the landlord offers move-in specials that reduce upfront costs.
Many landlords run a credit check and a background check with your written permission. The screening process and the rules that apply vary by location.
A credit check may include your credit history, outstanding debts, and payment patterns. Landlords may weigh this alongside your income, rental history, and other application details.
A background check may cover different records depending on the screening provider, the landlord's process, and local law. Criminal-history screening is restricted in some jurisdictions, so don't assume every landlord uses the same criteria. For more detail, see our guide to rental background checks.
If you're concerned about your credit history, ask about screening requirements before you apply. Some apartments have different credit requirements, and you can also look at apartments that don't require a credit check.
Proof of income shows a landlord that you can afford the rent. Landlords may request pay stubs, bank statements, tax records, or other proof of income. Ask which documents they accept and how many recent statements they need. The exact requirements depend on the landlord and your employment situation.
Documents that may help verify your income include:
You don't need every document on this list. Provide the records the landlord requests, and choose documents that accurately reflect your current income. If you're self-employed, a freelancer, or recently changed jobs, ask which documents the landlord accepts.
For more detail, see our guide to proof of income when renting an apartment.
If your income or credit history doesn't meet a landlord's requirements, you may be able to apply with a guarantor or co-signer. This is often a trusted family member or another person who agrees to take on certain financial responsibilities if you can't meet your rental obligations.
The terms aren't always interchangeable. A co-signer may sign the lease with you, while a guarantor often signs a separate guaranty agreeing to cover specified obligations if you fail to pay. Responsibilities depend on the agreement, so review the terms before anyone signs.
Not every landlord accepts guarantors or co-signers, and some set income, credit, or residency requirements for them. Ask before you submit your application. Our guide to apartment guarantors explains how they work and when you might need one.
A landlord may ask for references from previous landlords to confirm details such as your previous addresses, payment history, and experience as a renter.
If you've rented before, contact your former landlords to confirm they're comfortable serving as references. Make sure you have their current contact information and let them know they may receive a call or email. If a former landlord is willing, you can also ask for a short written reference focused on your experience as a renter.
Don't have a rental history yet? You still have options. Explain your situation and ask the landlord whether other references or supporting documents would help. Our guide to getting an apartment with no rental history has more tips.
If you're renting your first apartment or don't have previous landlords who can serve as references, personal references may help support your application. A supervisor, employer, or another person who can speak to your reliability and responsibility is a common choice.
Ask for each person's permission before listing them, and confirm their preferred contact information. Let them know when the landlord might reach out. Personal references may not replace rental references or other screening requirements, so ask the landlord whether they accept them.
A security deposit is money you may need to pay before moving in. Landlords may collect it to cover costs allowed by the lease and applicable law, such as unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear.
The amount varies by location, landlord, and lease terms. Some jurisdictions limit security deposits, so check local rules. Before paying, ask how much is due, when it's due, and how the deposit will be handled. Review the lease and deposit paperwork, including the conditions for getting your money back.
A security deposit is different from an application fee. An application fee generally covers the cost of processing your application, while a security deposit may be refundable depending on the circumstances and applicable law. Also plan for your first month's rent, moving costs, and any pet deposits or other permitted charges.
If your application is approved and you decide to move forward, your landlord or leasing office will give you instructions for reviewing and signing the lease.
Read the agreement carefully. Check the monthly rent, lease term, due dates, security deposit, utility responsibilities, pet policies, maintenance procedures, and any other charges. Ask about anything you don't understand, and make sure any agreed-upon terms appear in writing.
Before moving in, inspect the apartment and document any existing damage, such as holes in the walls, scuffed floors, damaged windows, or appliance problems. Take photos or videos, share them with the landlord in writing, and keep copies. Once everyone has signed, save a copy of the completed lease and related documents.
Once you've signed the lease and completed the required move-in payments and paperwork, you can prepare for move-in day. Confirm your move-in date and ask about building procedures, such as reserving a freight elevator or following set moving hours.
Plan the practical details:
Keep important documents, keys, and essentials within reach on moving day. If you have questions, contact the leasing office before your move.
Most landlords ask for identification, income verification, rental history, references, and authorization for screening. Requirements vary by landlord, and some may request additional information.
| Document category | What you may need | What the landlord uses it for |
|---|---|---|
| Identification | Government-issued photo ID | Confirming you are who you say you are |
| Income verification | Pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, or an employment letter | Comparing your income to the monthly rent |
| Rental history | Previous addresses and landlord contact information | Checking where you've lived and whether rent was paid on time |
| References | Contact information for previous landlords or personal references | Confirming your rental experience and reliability |
| Screening authorization | Written permission for credit or background checks | Running screening that local law allows |
This table is a starting point, not a complete list. Share sensitive information only through the landlord's official application process. For the full checklist, see our guide to the documents needed to rent an apartment.
Preparation, complete paperwork, and clear communication help keep an application moving, though no step guarantees approval. Here are seven tips.
Gather the documents you expect to need before you apply, and keep copies of your ID, income records, and references where you can reach them quickly. Check your credit report and review your rental history in advance so you have time to address any errors.
Fees add up when you apply to multiple apartments, so ask about each one first. Also plan for the security deposit, first month's rent, and moving costs. Move-in specials may reduce some upfront costs.
Reviewing your credit shows you what a landlord may see. No single credit score guarantees approval everywhere, because each landlord uses its own screening criteria and credit is only one part of an application. If you're concerned, ask about requirements before paying an application fee.
Complete your application accurately. If something needs context, such as a gap in employment or a past eviction, ask how to provide an explanation and supporting documents. Screening practices and the use of certain records may be restricted by local law, so ask about the process and your rights if you have concerns.
If you recently started a job and don't have pay stubs yet, ask whether the landlord accepts an offer letter or another form of income verification. Freelancers, self-employed renters, and people with multiple income sources may need different documents, so check early.
Find out how the landlord accepts application fees, deposits, and rent, and confirm the amount due and the deadline. Keep receipts and confirmation emails, especially for fees and deposits.
Some landlords offer move-in specials. Read the terms and compare monthly rent, lease length, and fees rather than choosing based on a promotion alone. If you have no established rental history, our guide to getting an apartment with no rental history can help.
Applying goes faster when your documents are gathered, your fees are budgeted, and you know what each landlord requires. Start with the ten steps above, keep copies of everything you submit, and ask questions early. When you're ready to look at places to apply for, browse apartments on Apartment List.
There’s no standard approval timeline across properties. Ask the leasing office for its expected turnaround, whether your application is complete, and when to follow up. If you need to move by a particular date, ask whether the property can meet it. Learn more about the apartment approval timeline.
Landlords commonly let you know by email or phone, and may then schedule a time to sign the lease. If you haven't heard back within the timeframe the landlord gave you, contact the landlord or leasing office to ask about the status. They may need additional documents or clarification before deciding.
In most states, you must be 18 to sign a lease, and a few states set a higher age. Requirements vary by location, so check the rules where you plan to rent. Learn more in our guide to how old you need to be to rent an apartment.
When your apartment application is approved, you can decide whether or not you still want to sign the lease or decide to pursue a different option.
If you choose to move forward, you will need to:
Yes, you can apply for multiple apartments. Before submitting several applications, ask whether applying to more than one apartment in the same building affects the process or requires additional application fees. Application fees are generally nonrefundable, so factor the potential costs into your budget.
Application fees are generally nonrefundable, even if your application is denied or you decide not to move forward. Local laws may limit application fees or set circumstances where different rules apply, so ask the landlord about the fee and check the laws in your area before paying.
In unit laundry, Granite counters, Hardwood floors, Dishwasher, Pet friendly, 24hr maintenance + more
In unit laundry, Patio / balcony, Hardwood floors, Dishwasher, 24hr maintenance, Garage + more
