MAKE YOUR RENTAL APPLICATION STAND OUT IN A COMPETITIVE MARKET.

2023 has been a tough year for tenants with the current rental market and rental shortages. Australian Tenants are experiencing the biggest annual rent increases. Having such a tough rental market has caused lots of competition between tenants securing a property, so below are some ways to make your application stand out above all the rest.

Have all your documents ready to go.

When you are applying for a rental property, it is important to provide all the relevant documents to support your application. Showing your organisation skills will heavily reflect how you are perceived as an applicant. Majority of Real Estate companies require you to provide 100 points of ID, which can include items such as your passport, driver’s license or birth certificate. Along with that most agencies will require you to provide proof of income which can include payslips, bank statements or employment contracts. Real Estate Agencies require you to provide this information to confirm you are who you claim to be and that you can comfortably afford the property you are applying for.

Have all the applications ready to go.

There may be more than one applicant going on the lease and no matter how many, all applicants must ensure they are supplying all the relevant information and documentation. Ensuring that all applicants supply the necessary documents will increase your chance of the application being processed.

Include as much detail as possible.

When filling out an application it is important to ensure that all the necessary details are filled out correctly and thoroughly.  This includes, your private details, rental history, employment history, and personal references. Providing more than one contact number and an email address, if possible, can also help assist property managers in gathering the information they require. Another great thing to add to your application is a written references or letter from past employers or real estates to help speed up your application process. Forgetting to include these important details could cause delays in the process of your application and possibly be the reason why your application gets unsuccessful.

Have good references.

For an application to be successful it is important for all your references to check out. Property Managers will seek three important references, the first one being a rental reference where agents will confirm:

• How long you have been at the property.
• How much rent you paid and whether it was always paid on time.
• Did the owners need to issue any breaches.
• If there were any pets at the property and was there any damage caused by them.
• If the house was kept clean and today.
• Reason for vacating the property.

Employment Reference:

• Your position at the company.
• Whether you are full time, part time, casual or on a contract.
• How long you have been employed for and if it's ongoing/ permanent.
• Net income (after tax).
• If you are a clean, tidy, and reliable worker.

Personal References:

• How long you have known each other?
• Can they confirm if you are a clean and tidy person?
• If they have ever been to one of your past rental properties?
• Would they rent to you?

It is always important to make sure your references are aware they have been allocated as a reference to ensure they are prepared for when the property manager calls them.

Check out
There are a few ways in which you can achieve a standout application, that demonstrates to the owner that you are the perfect fit for their property. All Real Estate agencies will check whether you have been listed on a tenancy database that shows whether you have been blacklisted from a previous tenancy leasing. Informing the agencies beforehand of any listings you have against you will demonstrate to the agents that you aren’t hiding anything and are upfront about past mistakes. Some agencies will also check your social media platforms to further confirm you are who you claim to be. Platforms such as Facebook can show us where you are currently employed, your age and the lifestyle you live.

Through the tough and competitive rental market, tenants are becoming more desperate to secure a property and I’m sure a few people have received the dreaded “Thank you for submitting an application, unfortunately, there has been an alternate application accepted for the property and is no longer available” text or call over the last year. So, to increase your chances of securing a property, ensure you submit a thorough and well-presented application with all required supporting documents and well-prepared references.