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Tips on Filling out Rental Applications
Filling out a rental application accurately and professionally is one way to make a positive
first impression with a landlord. It is also an opportunity to show the landlord you will be a
great tenant at their property. Here are some tips on standing out from other applicants when
applying to a rental home.
Make sure you have all the documents in your rental portfolio ready and organized. Here are
the documents you should have for every adult in the household as you apply for your new
home:
Social Security number
Driver’s license or Photo ID
Income Source for at least 2 months (i.e. paystubs and/or social security award
letter)
Rental history for the past 5 years
Employment history
Housing Choice Voucher
Most properties will need to see copies of your rental documents, so it is not a bad idea to
attach the documents to your rental application or email them to the property manager as
soon as you apply.
Properties will need to know about your Housing Choice Voucher and the amount the voucher
pays at the time you apply for the home. Properties also need to know if you receive income
from sources other than employment.
Rental applications vary from property to property however, all applications allow you to
include income from sources other than employment. Typically, you can include your voucher
income under “other income” or “additional income”. If the application allows you to add a
description for the income source describe the income as “Section 8 voucher from King
County or Seattle Housing Authority.”
EMPLOYMENT & INCOME INFORMATION
1. OCCUPATION
EMPLOYER/COMPANY
MONTHLY SALARY
SUPERVISOR NAME
SUPERVISOR PHONE
START DATE
END DATE
2. OCCUPATION
EMPLOYER/COMPANY
MONTHLY SALARY
Have your rental portfolio ready and organized
Include your Housing Choice Voucher and Additional Income Sources
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SUPERVISOR NAME
SUPERVISOR PHONE
START DATE
END DATE
1. OTHER INCOME DESCRIPTION
Section 8 voucher
MONTHLY INCOME
$1800.00
2. OTHER INCOME DESCRIPTION
MONTHLY INCOME
If you receive income from TANF, Social Security, or other sources than employment be sure
to include this income under “other income” or “additional income” as well.
Check if the income asked for on the application is monthly or annual. If the application asks
for the annual income, follow this formula for calculating the annual amount: monthly
voucher payment x 12 months = annual income. For example: voucher payment is $2,000 per
month x 12 months = $24,000 for annual income.
Your rental application is your opportunity to stand out amongst other applicants, so pay
attention to spelling and grammar. Capitalize proper nouns and street names. This will show
the property you put in some effort to make your application professional and organized.
For example, this application looks professional and neat:
Rental Application
Notice: All adult applicants (18 years or older) must complete a separate application.
APPLICANT INFORMATION
LAST NAME FIRST NAME M.I.
SSN
DRIVER’S LICENSE #
BIRTH DATE
HOME PHONE
MOBILE PHONE
EMAIL
CURRENT ADDRESS
STREET ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIPCODE
Versus this application which comes across as unprofessional:
Rental Application
Notice: All adult applicants (18 years or older) must complete a separate application.
APPLICANT INFORMATION
LAST NAME FIRST NAME M.I.
SSN
DRIVER’S LICENSE #
BIRTH DATE
HOME PHONE
MOBILE PHONE
EMAIL
CURRENT ADDRESS
STREET ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIPCODE
Check for Grammar and Spelling
1234 North Street Seattle WA 98106
1234 north street sEatTLe wa 98106
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A great way to stand out amongst other applicants is including rental references that can
vouch for your character and speak about how you will be a great tenant.
It’s best to include landlords or past housemates as rental references. But anyone who can
say positive things about you can be used a reference including family, friends, coworkers, or
neighbors.
If you have been living at your current or a past home for many years and you have a positive
relationship with the landlord, it could make a huge impact on your rental application to have
a letter of reference from your landlord. Ask your landlord if they would be willing to write a
short letter explaining you were a great tenant. Try to have the landlord include specific
details like how you always paid rent on time or were always kind to your neighbors.
A rental resume is a great way to stand out from other applicants and show the landlord you
are serious about their property. Refer to the rental resume section at the beginning of your
packet or online at the creatingmoves.org website.
If you have gaps in information such as employment or rental history explain why that is. For
example, if you are not currently employed, state that you are unemployed but plan on going
back to school or finding a job once you move.
If you have never rented your own home or been on a lease explain this on your application. If
you have untraditional rental history such as living with family explain this on your
application. Put down your family member as your landlord and report the amount you pay
for rent to them if any. To further clarify this you can ask your family member to write a
letter of reference for you explaining you have been a great tenant and the amount you pay
for rent if any.
Include References
Include a Rental Resume
Addressing Gaps in Information