Credit Requirements

• While credit requirements may vary depending on whether you rent from a private party or a rental management company, most property owners want, at a minimum, to make sure you can afford the monthly rent and are an acceptable credit risk. Property owners generally want to see a credit score of about 620 to rent an apartment and according to Apartment Living, a score lower than this often means a denial of your application. If you have little or no previous credit, ask the property owner or manager if she will accept copies of bank statements or payroll check stubs to verify your ability to pay your rent. Otherwise, you may need a cosigner with an acceptable credit history to qualify.
  
  

Background Check

• You need a clean history to rent an apartment. Many property owners and managers conduct a background check, either on their own or by using the services of a verification agency before approving your rental application. In addition to checking your credit, background checks often look for evidence of a past eviction and felony convictions. Part of a background check may also include checking references. Contact potential personal and professional references before filling out your application and get their contact information and permission.
  
  

Information Requirements

• Information requirements depend on the level of detail in the rental application. If you are looking at apartments within an apartment complex or if you are working with a rental management company, look online to see if you can download a rental application form. Most standard applications include sections for personal and financial information and a permissions section if the property owner will be checking your credit or conducting a background check. Information you need usually includes your Social Security number, driver's license number and vehicle information, contact information for one or two previous landlords if this is not your first apartment, emergency contact information and contact and salary information for your current employer.
  
  

Tips

• Review your credit report before filling out a rental application to verify that your information is accurate and up to date. Get free copies of your reports from each of the three major credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com and follow the process each identifies to dispute incorrect and/or remove out of date information. If your report contains negative information, consider attaching a written explanation to your rental application as to the reason, and include information on steps you are taking to resolve the situation.