We've been looking at apartments for about three weeks now. Not for ourself but as a support system for our friend. He hasn't found his "spacious with a separate nook for kitty litter box" apartment yet. When he does, however, it will be essential that he nabs the coveted space. We want to ensure that he'll nail the application and score this elusive apartment--and with the help of these three great tips... he'll be a shoe-in. More after the jump.
- Bring a printed out credit report with you to the apartment showing. In most instances, the landlord will probably run one of their own but at least you are showing that you are dedicated and serious about getting this apartment. We can tell you from the last three weeks of home-hunting, not one person has shown up with a credit report in-hand.
- Arrive with an application already filled out. Because we've been in the trenches this month, we've seen a handful of applications and they're pretty much all the same (social security number, previous places of residence, etc.). The rental agency will probably make you fill out one of their own but again, showing up with a completed application will make you stand out from the rest. We've found that a lot of rental agencies even have their application available for download online.
- Create a Rental Resume. Your rental resume should definitely include why you're looking for an apartment and a list of references (especially previous landlord's information and if you can get a testimonial--even better). Your new landlords want to rent to someone who is going to be a great tenant. The more information you can provide them, the easier their decision will be.
What are your tips for nabbing that perfect apartment?
Related Apartment Posts
[Image from drustar]
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Beatriz's Fun & Functional Workspace
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sheex Bedding
How to Cook Rice on the Stove
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
Just be the first one there! If the showing is at 2, arrive at noon. It sounds absurd, but in a competative rental market it can make all the difference.
here i was hoping for something a bit more useful out of this post. I just moved from Chicago to LA and have spent the last 30 days in corporate housing. i signed a lease the other day for an apartment on Oct 1 because i had no other choice. it's a great location, but it's not as bright as i wanted, nor did it have hardwood floors like i wanted.
it's ridiculous that everywhere around here uses Westside rentals.
Ah well. at least i'm only 5 blocks from the beach. can't complain too much.
Cheers,
M
I find the best way to SEARCH for a place is walking the 'hood you want to live in. The best deals to be found are from normal people who own rental buildings and who aren't savvy enough to do more than put a sign in the window (aka craigslist). You'll have less competition for the place because it hasn't been advertised and most likely, it'll be cheaper because the landlord isn't a fulltime landlord and with a little luck, he may not even know how high rents have gotten in the neighborhood.
I've done this for myself and for friends several times and I find it's the best way to go. Plus, it's more peronal than signing cheques off to "Big bucks apartments inc" or something
stop the italic madness
How do you safeguard your sensitive information? I recently filled out an application and was really weary of putting my social on it - but I did anyway. Never heard about the apartment again and am now watching my credit like a hawk. I am tripping.
I second walking around the neighborhood where you want to live. In my area, Craigslist is dominated by shifty rental companies that will charge you at least 1/2 of your first months rent (more for Sept 1st start rentals) for their "fee". Pretty steep if they only show you one or two apartments. Plus, there definitely buildings that you can rent directly from the super if you know which number to call...
Westside Rentals - as much as I hate it.. it actually does have alot that Craigslist doesn't. Since they have local offices, landlords can walk into the office and WSR will put the ad up for them. They never even need to use the computer. So this is a great service for landlords that don't know how to use a computer or would rather not and therefor you wouldn't find their ad on craigslist. I found my new place on there.
Walking the neighborhood is also a good idea.
SoCal is so competitive (especially the west side) that you need to call on the ad as soon as you find it. You then must go see the place ASAP and be ready to make a decision on the spot. It's cut throat. Waiting around to make a decision can cause you to lose the place.
Bring cash (or cashier's check) and put the deposit down on the spot. After seeing a place during the dot-com boom, I overheard one of the propsects put in an application and say he wanted the place. After he left, I gave them a cash deposit and pretty much stole it from him. Kinda sneaky but I was *desperate*.
Sounds crazy, but when I saw the huge stack of applications turned in for the rental I wanted, I filled out the application on site and attached a small picture of my sweet family (two toddlers!), which I happened to have in my wallet. It worked like a charm - something about putting a face to the name I guess - We got the apt.
I also second walking the neighborhood. That's how I got the apartment I wanted and needed. Called numerous other places, and had one waiting, but I dropped EVERYTHING when I saw this one... I guess you know when you see it.
It was funny, I gave the landlord all the money I had at the time so he would give me the key... of course, I gave him the rest the next day (he couldn't wait for me to go to the bank)... Anyway, I got the apt... I'm happy. jejeje
Use "shoo-in" rather than "shoe in."
We are in the process of relocating from Brooklyn to Chicago and I just signed a lease last week on a Chicago apartment. I have used Craigslist exclusively in finding apartments in San Francisco, West Hollywood, Brooklyn and now Chicago. There's alot of crap out there that you may have to weed through but the gems are there for the finding.
I too use a rental resume. I have never paid for a broker or an apartment listing agency. I have never paid for or allowed a credit check to find an apartment. It is simply not necessary with a rental resume that includes employer,print outs of 2 most recent pay check stubs, current and previous landlord (copies of cancelled rent checks are handy as well) and any other references you may have. One addition is I include a photo of my dogs so the potential landlord knows exactly what I'm bringing to the table.
You can also create a rental resume using http://rently.com/resume