How to Create a Flawless Rental Resume
Overview
A rental resume is a document that outlines your personal and financial information, employment history, and rental history. It is typically used by landlords and property managers to determine if you are a reliable tenant.
When you apply for a rental property, the landlord or property manager will likely ask for information about your income, employment, credit score, and rental history. A rental resume is a way to organize and present this information in a clear and concise manner. It can also include additional information that may be relevant to your rental application, such as pet ownership or any special needs or accommodations.
Why you should have a rental resume
Having a rental resume can be beneficial for several reasons:
- It makes it easier for landlords and property managers to review your application: A rental resume presents all the necessary information in one place, making it easier for landlords and property managers to review your application and make a decision.
- It helps you stand out from other applicants: A well-prepared rental resume can help you stand out from other applicants. It can demonstrate your ability to pay rent on time, your employment stability, and your overall responsibility as a tenant.
- It can increase your chances of being accepted: A rental resume can help to increase your chances of being accepted as a tenant by a landlord or property manager. It shows that you are serious about finding a rental property and that you are a responsible and reliable tenant.
- It's a good record to have: Having a rental resume can be beneficial for you as well, as it keeps a record of your rental history, employment and financial information. It can come in handy in case you have to move again in the future.
Important Information to Include
To write a complete rental resume, include the following information:
- Personal Information: Name, address, phone number, and email address. This information will help the landlord or property manager to easily contact you.
- Employment History: List your current and past employment, including job title, employer, and length of time at each job. This information helps the landlord or property manager to understand your employment stability. A consistent and stable employment history is often viewed as a positive indication of your ability to pay rent on time.
- Income: Include your current salary or hourly wage, as well as any additional sources of income. This information helps the landlord or property manager to determine if you can afford the rent. It is important to be honest and accurate about your income, as landlords and property managers will often verify this information.
- Rental History: Include the addresses and contact information for your current and past landlords, as well as the dates you lived at each location. This information helps the landlord or property manager to understand your rental history. A positive rental history, such as a history of timely rent payments and good communication with landlords, can make you a more attractive tenant.
- Financial Information: Include your credit score and any debts or outstanding loans. This information helps the landlord or property manager to understand your financial situation. A good credit score and a manageable amount of debt can indicate that you are a responsible borrower, which can make you a more attractive tenant.
- Personal references: List the contact information of at least 2 people who can vouch for your character and rental history. Personal references can provide valuable insight into your personality and how you handle yourself as a tenant.
- Additional Information: Any additional information that may be relevant to your rental application, such as pet ownership, vehicle information, or any special needs or accommodations. This information can help the landlord or property manager to understand any additional needs or concerns you may have and how to best accommodate them.
It's essential to present yourself as a responsible and reliable tenant on your rental resume. Make sure your rental resume is neat, organized, and easy to read. Proofread it several times and if possible, have someone else review it as well. A well-prepared rental resume can help to increase your chances of being accepted as a tenant by a landlord or property manager.
Additional Documentation:
Along with a rental resume, landlords and property managers may require additional documents to verify the information provided in the rental resume and to make a final decision on your application. Some of the additional documents that you may need to provide include:
- Proof of income: This could include pay stubs, W-2 forms, or tax returns. Landlords and property managers will want to verify that you have the financial means to pay rent on time.
- Photo ID: This could include a driver's license, passport, or state ID. Landlords and property managers will want to verify your identity.
- Credit report: Landlords and property managers may run a credit check to determine your creditworthiness. You may have to provide a copy of your credit report or authorize a credit check.
- Rental history verification: Landlords and property managers may contact your current and previous landlords to verify your rental history. You may have to provide contact information for your current and previous landlords.
- Pet information: If you have a pet, you may have to provide information such as breed, weight, and vaccination records. Landlords and property managers may also require a pet deposit or additional pet rent.
- Vehicle information: If you plan to park a vehicle on the property, you may have to provide information such as the make, model, and license plate number of the vehicle. Landlords and property managers may also require a parking deposit or additional parking rent.
- Additional document: Depending on the property and the landlord, you may have to provide additional documents such as a background check, a security deposit, or a letter of employment.
It's important to be prepared to provide any additional documentation that a landlord or property manager may require. Be sure to read the rental application carefully and gather all of the necessary documents before submitting your application. This will help to make the process go more smoothly and increase your chances of being accepted as a tenant.
Template & Example:
Name: John Doe
Contact Information:
- Phone: 555-555-5555
- Email: johndoe@email.com
- Address: 123 Main St, Anytown USA 12345
Employment:
- Current Job: Software Developer at XYZ Inc.
- Job Title: Software Developer
- Employer: XYZ Inc.
- Length of Time: 2 years
- Past Job: Junior Developer at ABC Corp.
- Job Title: Junior Developer
- Employer: ABC Corp.
- Length of Time: 2 years
Income:
- Salary: $80,000 per year
- Additional Income: None
Rental History:
- Current Residence: 123 Elm St, Anytown USA 12345
- Landlord's Name: Jane Smith
- Landlord's Phone: 555-555-5555
- Dates of Residency: January 2019 - Present
- Previous Residence: 456 Oak St, Anytown USA 12345
- Landlord's Name: Bob Johnson
- Landlord's Phone: 555-555-5555
- Dates of Residency: January 2017 - December 2018
Financial Information:
- Credit Score: 730
- Debts: None
- Outstanding Loans: None
Personal references:
- Name: Jane Smith
- Relationship: Current Landlord
- Phone: 555-555-5555
- Name: Bob Johnson
- Relationship: Previous Landlord
- Phone: 555-555-5555
Additional Information:
- Pet Information: None
- Vehicle Information: None
- Special needs or accommodations: None
It's a good practice to keep your rental resume concise, clear and well-organized. Also, make sure that all the information provided is accurate and up-to-date. Remember to proofread it before submitting and if possible, have someone else review it as well.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, a rental resume is an important tool for anyone looking to rent a property. It provides landlords and property managers with a clear and concise overview of your personal and financial information, employment history, and rental history. Having a well-prepared rental resume can help to increase your chances of being accepted as a tenant, as it demonstrates your responsibility and reliability as a tenant.
Along with a rental resume, landlords and property managers may require additional documentation to verify the information provided in the rental resume and make a final decision on your application. Therefore, it's important to be prepared to provide any additional documentation that may be required, and to read the rental application carefully.
Overall, a rental resume can be a valuable asset in the process of finding a rental property, and it's worth the effort to make sure it is well-prepared.
My name is Nick Caucci and I help run the Rentroom blog. Over the years, I have seen and helped many different property managers and owner-operators streamline their daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly workflows.
