Common Questions Asked on a Rental Property Application

If you are considering renting an apartment or house, you might find the rental application as tedious an ordeal as applying for a loan to purchase a house. Some applications for rental properties are very in-depth about your past and your present. Be prepared to answer the question that are asked and answer them honestly so that you will have a better chance at getting to the lease agreement.

Common questions asked on a rental property application:

Name/Address/Phone Number- The potential landlord wants to know where you currently live, what your full name is and your phone number so they can contact you. Some applications also ask for your email address as another way to get in contact with you. They want to know that you are well established in your current place of residence and they want to know how to get hold of you if they do approve your application.

Employment History- A potential landlord wants to know you employment history for obvious reasons. A potential landlord wants to know that you are employed and that you are in a stable job. They have every right to know that because they need to know that you can afford to live in their properties. If you don't have a good work history, you may not be approved for the rental.

Criminal Background- Potential landlords often do background checks on possible tenants to make sure that there won't be any trouble on their property. This makes perfect sense. A landlord doesn't want drugs or violence anywhere near their rental properties that might endanger other residents living nearby.

Bank Account Information- You will likely be asked for your bank account information to include bank account numbers. Your bank cannot give out information on your banking to anyone, so this measure is probably just to make sure that you have a standing bank account.

Pets- Landlords want to know if you have pets that will be living with you on the property. A lot of landlords won't allow pets. Those that do allow pets usually have a pet fee added on if you do have pets. Pets can cause a lot of damage to a home and the landlord asks for the pet fee to make sure they have enough money to repair any damage done by pets while you reside in the home.

Current/Past Landlords- You will be asked about your current and past landlords on an application for a rental property. It is likely that the agent will call your current landlord to make sure that you are a good tenant to include whether you pay your rent. This is a major issue and you should be aware that your current and past landlords can say whatever they wish when they are called.

Vehicles- You may be asked about the vehicles that will be at the residence in question. This is to establish what vehicles should be at the property on a regular basis and which ones should not be there. This is in case you decide to move someone in with you that isn't on the lease. Most rental properties require that everyone living in the home be put on the lease for their protection.

Credit History- Your credit history will definitely be asked about on a rental property application. The potential landlord wants to know that you have a stable credit history to determine if you will pay your rent. This is standard on nearly all rental property applications.

These are the most common questions you will find on a rental property application. If you are seeking a new home by means of a rental property, answer the questions honestly because it is likely the landlord will check all the information to make sure that you are telling the truth. If you lie and are caught, you will likely be turned down for the rental. It is better to give the correct information and take your chances than to be caught in a lie that will definitely keep you from getting into the home you wish to move into.