How to write a rental application that stands out
Property managers often have a dozen applications for one home. Here is what they look for, and how to be the one they call back.
RentBuy Team
3 min read
When a rental is popular, the property manager is not choosing between good and bad applicants. They are choosing between several good ones, quickly, on a Monday morning after a busy weekend of inspections. The application that gets the call is the one that answers every question before it is asked.
Be complete the first time
An incomplete application goes to the bottom of the pile because it means a phone call and a delay. Before you apply, have these ready:
- Photo ID and proof of your current address
- Recent payslips or a letter from your employer, or your last tax return if you are self-employed
- Contact details for your current and previous landlord or property manager
- A personal reference or two who will actually pick up the phone
If you apply through Tenancy Application, your profile is saved once and reused on every application, so you are not chasing documents each time a home comes up.
Show you can pay the rent
Property managers generally look for rent that sits at or below around a third of your household income. If you are close to the line, say so up front and explain how it works: savings, a partner's income, or a track record of paying more than this at your last place. Bank statements showing regular rent payments are worth more than any reference.
Write a short cover note
Two or three sentences is plenty. Say who is moving in, how long you would like to stay, and why this home suits you. "We work in Parramatta and have been renting nearby for four years" tells the manager you are stable and local. Leave out anything that reads like pleading.
Be easy to reach
Answer your phone in the days after you apply. Many applications fall over simply because the manager could not get hold of the applicant or their references. Tell your references to expect a call, and check your junk folder for the approval email.
Apply at the inspection, not after
If you like the home, apply the same day. Managers often shortlist from the first batch of applications and only look further if none of those work out. An application that arrives on Wednesday for a home inspected on Saturday is usually too late.
Finally, if you miss out, ask the manager what would have helped. Most will tell you, and it is often something small you can fix before the next one.
