Housing Application FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Housing Application
What is a rental application?
A rental application is an application that a prospective tenant submits to a landlord in order to rent a property.
What do I have to submit a rental application?
Every property usually has a variety of required documents, but the most common documents you need to bring are ID, Social Security Card and one month’s proof of income.
What is a second-chance property?
A second-chance property is a rental property that has a program set in place to help renters get back on their feet. This is usually for renters with bad rental history or poor credit. To find a second-chance property you just need to ask. A tip from us, “if you are renting second chance housing, do your best to fulfill and honor the lease agreement". Bad rental history from second-chance housing or apartments can put one in a very difficult spot when renting in the future.
How to decide the right rent amount for my income?
You will want to make sure that you are able to support your expenses regardless of what happens. You want to ensure you can take care of necessities such as rent, transportation, and food. You want to have a good amount of money not being spent just in case something were to happen. We advise that rent should be no more than 40% of your net income a month (on a yearly basis), but 30% is usually the magic number. So if you make $12/hour and work a full-time job your net will be around $1,600 so your rent should not exceed $640 a month.
How can I budget better?
There are a lot of apps out there that you can download to your smartphone to control your spending. However, the key to success is to think of yourself as a business. So, be sure to keep track of your monthly expenses and income. Last, but not least make sure not to overdraft and keep some money saved- just in case.
How to improve my chances of being approved?
When you’re coming to complete an application it is always good to bring more information with you than less. Fill out the application as accurately as possible. You would be surprised at how many applications can be denied for inaccurate information.
What paperwork should be submitted with my rental application?
If you know that your application has some not straightforward information, like evictions, collections, charges, or even self-employment, it would be a good idea to bring documents that support your application in a positive way. Here is a possible list of documents: discharge/dismissed charges, the ledger of previous rentals, paperwork showing collections are paid, and any court documents. You basically want to have everything that can make your background shine.
where can I learn more about applications?