Tips and tricks to nailing your rental application

Applying for a rental property has become more stressful than ever as thousands in our region struggle to find a home. Read our guide to nailing the application process to increase your chances of renting your dream home.

Being professional and proactive will keep you ahead of the rental market curve.

With an average of 25 or more applications being submitted per rental property across the Wide Bay Burnett, renting that dream home has become more competitive than ever.

We spoke to real estate agents across the Wide Bay Burnett to find simple tips and tricks you can do during the application process and beyond to boost your chances and your application.

Senior Property Manager for McGrath Estate Agents Bundaberg Ashleigh Pilcher said the most common and costly mistake applicants make is not including a comprehensive rental history.

She said in the time it takes to chase an applicant's rental history, an application with detailed history may already be approved.

Senior Property Manager for McGrath Estate Agents Bundaberg Ashleigh Pilcher is known for her problem solving and negotiation prowess.

Up to five years of detailed rental records are recommended, with reference contacts, payment history, addresses and time rented is preferred.

Mrs Pilcher also said those with long term tenancy history are preferred over those who jump around.

“Someone with two or three years in the same spot does look better than someone who has jumped around every six to twelve months,” she said.

As a way to get your application in front of more eyes, she also recommended writing a personal but professional cover letter explaining your circumstances and why you would make an ideal tenant.

The final key to gaining a rental in Bundaberg Mrs Pilcher said, was speaking to your real estate agent about getting preapproved.

“Of the 130 plus houses we had hit the rental market last year, we were able to find tenants for more than 80 properties before they even hit the market through our pre-approval process,” she said.

Senior Property Manager at Carter Cooper Realty Hervey Bay Donna Jenkins has more than three decades of experience in the real estate industry.

Senior Property Manager at Carter Cooper Realty Hervey Bay Donna Jenkins said first impressions go a long way and encouraged applicants to be professional and polite from the very first inspection.

She also said across the board preparation was key, from getting into inspections as soon as possible, to considering what the landlord is looking for, right through to ensuring your personal references know to expect a phone call.

“We also encourage people to be upfront about any previous issues they may have had,” she said.

The most common mistakes to impact your chances were not being responsive enough, being overly demanding of agents during the application process, a poor and inconsistent payment history and a record of failing to maintain properties.

The final key to boosting your chances was getting comfortable with using online application forms, as many are linked to databases and cut down on process time.