Navigating the rental market can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, but you don’t have to be a highly paid, seasoned tenant to get approved for a rental property.
Although there’s no denying that today’s market has its challenges for prospective tenants, there are simple strategies and tips to enhance your chances of getting accepted for a rental property.
How to get accepted for a rental property
Get in early
Keep your eye on the market with personalised alerts in realestate.com.au and domain.com.au so you can be quick to inquire when a property pops up that you’re interested in. Remember, landlords want to fill vacancies quickly with reliable tenants. So, if they think they’ve found their perfect tenant, they’re not going to keep looking. Check if you can apply before viewing the property. Although your application won’t be reviewed until after your inspection, it will put you one step ahead of those who don’t.
Be prepared
Most rental applications are submitted incomplete and this is a huge mistake! By having all the necessary documents included in the application, not only will you be saving the agent a lot of hassle, but you’ll be communicating that you’re organised and easy to deal with.
You can start getting your paperwork sorted before you even start looking for a rental property. In typical circumstances, our leasing team will look for the following in a tenancy application:
- Photo identification, such as passport, driver’s licence or proof of age card.
- Proof of employment and income, such as pay slips, bank statements, invoices or tax records. These need to be recent, so if you’re returning to the rental market, make sure these are updated.
- Proof of rental history (if applicable) from previous agents. If you have rented before, request a rental ledger from your previous agent and include it with your supporting documents. If you don’t and the agent needs to request it on your behalf, it can cause a huge hold-up in your application, especially if the property manager of your last home is taking their time.
- Quality references from credible sources. Typically, a reference from a real estate agent or a property manager carries more weight than personal references. However, if you’re a first-time renter then consider adding personal references like your employer. These are “votes” of confidence and add credibility to your application.
- If you haven’t rented before, a cover letter can help communicate who you are and showcase what makes you the most suitable candidate for the property. Be sure to keep it positive; introduce yourself, your education, employment and your current situation, so that the agent has more information to draw on.
Make a good impression at the inspection
It shouldn’t need to be said, but wear shoes to an open home. We’ve seen plenty of prospective tenants walk up to the front door barefoot. Baffled? We are too.
Punctuality and presentation matter when you’re trying to get accepted for a rental. During the inspection, the agent will be assessing which prospective tenants are more likely to be reliable and take care of the property.
Remember, presentation extends beyond just your footwear. This doesn’t mean you need to dust off your formalwear. However, avoid wearing any T-shirts that broadcast your political or personal views and pay attention to personal hygiene. If you take pride in your appearance, you’re more likely to take pride in everything else, including where you live.
Be polite and respectful
Naturally, a property manager is going to prefer to work with someone who is polite and respectful, over someone who is rude or ignores them. Simply looking them in the eye, smiling and saying “hello” can make you memorable – in a good way. An inspection is also your time to ask questions to ensure you get everything you need to make a decision about the property.
Be on your best behaviour
From treating an open home as a litter bin to letting the kids run wild or worse, leaving them in the car on a hot day – we’ve seen it all. Although it’s an open home, often it’s still someone else’s home, and it should be treated that way.
Apply immediately!
If you haven’t submitted your application before the inspection, we’d recommend applying within minutes of leaving the property. It’s a competitive market and landlords will be looking to minimise their vacancy by finding a tenant fast.
Don’t be afraid to follow up
If you haven’t heard back about your rental application within 24 hours, follow up with the leasing agent. They may just be deciding between you and another candidate, so it will be an opportunity to support any information you’ve provided with a friendly chat – and to show how keen on the property you really are!
Getting accepted for a rental starts with finding the right place. See our full list of available rental properties here, or contact our team to discuss your needs using the details below.
Prudential Real Estate Campbelltown | (02) 4628 0033 | campbelltown@prudential.com.au
Prudential Real Estate Liverpool | (02) 9822 5999 | liverpool@prudential.com.au
Prudential Real Estate Macquarie Fields | (02) 9605 5333 | macquariefields@prudential.com.au
Prudential Real Estate Narellan | (02) 4624 4400 | narellan@prudential.com.au
