Applying for a new apartment typically involves a decent amount of paperwork. If it’s a quality apartment, chances are one of those documents will be a consent to perform a background check and employment verification. But do they really follow through with these things, or are they just doing it for show? After all, it is a great way to weed out those who already know they wouldn’t qualify. So, should you give your boss a heads up? Here’s what our apartment locators say you can anticipate happening.
What to Expect
In almost all cases, a good landlord or property manager is going to be thorough in screening tenants. For the credit report and criminal background check, most rely on third party screening services to do the legwork. Employment verifications, on the other hand, are typically handled personally. Obviously, each property is different and each individual has his or her own qualification process, but at the very least, you can expect that proof of income will be on the list.
Common Requirements
Oftentimes, a landlord or property manager will require tenants to maintain an income of a certain percentage above and beyond the monthly rent amount. For instance, it’s not uncommon that an applicant be required to have a monthly salary of at least three times the amount of rent. Of course, this amount is not set in stone, but it’s a benchmark used by many, so it’s a good starting point when shopping for Dallas apartments.
Requested Information
There are a few specific things that are usually on the list when a landlord or property manager contacts an employer. Generally speaking, they’ll be looking for the following:
- Verification of Employment
- Length of Employment
- Income Verification
In order to obtain this information, you will likely be required to sign a release form. This is because most employers will refuse to provide any details without written consent. You may be able to skip ahead of this step by requesting a document from your boss containing this information on company letterhead. Whether or not this will be acceptable will ultimately depend on the landlord.
Additional Information
As mentioned, not all landlords are the same. Some require far more information than others before they’re willing to qualify a prospective tenant. For instance, in addition to pulling your credit report, running a criminal background check and verifying your employment, some landlords or property managers will also want to verify your rental history. This means a potential call to your prior landlord to ensure there have been no issues with you as a tenant. Be prepared for this, just in case.
The Importance of Honesty
If there’s anything in your background or about yourself that you feel may hinder your ability to qualify as a good tenant, just be honest. For instance, if you’ve recently changed jobs or have struggled a bit lately with finances, be upfront about it. The landlord may very well be willing to work with you, but only if you’re forthcoming right from the start.
Curious about the steps it takes to rent an apartment in Dallas? Our experts are happy to answer any of your questions. Get in touch today!
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