Free Rental Application Template

Credit Check

A credit report reveals the applicant's credit score, payment history, outstanding debts, collections, and bankruptcies. Most landlords look for a credit score of 620 or higher, though standards vary by market. Under the FCRA, landlords must obtain written consent before pulling a credit report and must provide an adverse action notice if the application is denied based on credit information.

Background Check

Criminal background checks review the applicant's criminal history at the county, state, and/or federal level. HUD guidance issued in 2016 cautions that blanket bans on applicants with criminal records may violate the Fair Housing Act due to disparate impact. Many states and cities now have specific rules about when and how criminal history can factor into rental decisions, including "ban-the-box" laws that delay criminal history inquiries.

Income Verification

Most landlords require that a tenant's gross monthly income is at least 2.5 to 3 times the monthly rent. Verification typically involves reviewing recent pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, or an employment verification letter. Self-employed applicants may need to provide additional documentation such as profit-and-loss statements or 1099 forms.

Rental History

Landlords contact previous landlords to verify the applicant's rental history, including whether they paid rent on time, maintained the property, gave proper notice before moving out, and whether there were any lease violations or eviction proceedings. A history of evictions or broken leases is typically a red flag for landlords.

Personal and Professional References

References from employers, colleagues, or personal contacts can provide additional insight into the applicant's character and reliability. While references are generally considered less objective than credit or background checks, they can be helpful for applicants with limited rental history, such as first-time renters or those relocating from another area.

Enter your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, phone number, email address, and current address. If you have a co-applicant (spouse, partner, or roommate), they should complete a separate application. Your SSN is needed for the credit check and should be handled securely by the landlord.

Provide details for your current and previous residences going back at least 2-3 years. Include the address, landlord or property manager name and contact information, monthly rent amount, dates of tenancy, and your reason for leaving. Be honest about any issues — landlords will contact your references and discrepancies can lead to denial.

Provide your current employer's name, address, phone number, your position, length of employment, and gross monthly income. If you have additional income sources (part-time work, investments, alimony, Social Security), list those as well. Be prepared to provide pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements as verification.

Include at least one emergency contact and 2-3 personal or professional references who are not family members. Provide their full names, phone numbers, email addresses, and your relationship to them. Let your references know they may be contacted so they are prepared.

If you have pets, list the type, breed, weight, and age of each animal. Be aware that landlords can set pet policies and charge pet deposits or pet rent, but they cannot charge fees for service animals or emotional support animals under the Fair Housing Act. List any vehicles that will be parked at the property, including make, model, year, and license plate.

Review and sign the credit check authorization, background check consent, and any other disclosure forms included with the application. These authorizations are required by the FCRA before the landlord can access your consumer reports. Read these sections carefully and understand what you are consenting to before signing.

If the landlord charges an application fee, pay it at the time of submission. The fee is typically non-refundable and covers the cost of credit and background screening. Check your state's laws for fee caps — some states limit or prohibit application fees. The landlord should disclose the fee amount and what it covers before you apply.

Attach copies of your government-issued photo ID, recent pay stubs (typically last 2-3 months), most recent tax return or W-2, and bank statements if requested. Having these documents ready when you submit speeds up the review process considerably and shows the landlord you are a serious, prepared applicant.