Rent advice: How to get your foot in the door on your next rental application

As struggling Victorians deal with a “firestorm” rental market, Rental Search Australia co-founder and director Jade Costello has the following tips for renters applying for properties.

People waiting in a rental inspection lines in West Melbourne earlier this year. Picture: Supplied

As housing experts call on the government to increase the number of Victorian homes available for lease amid a “firestorm” for tenants and landlords, Rental Search Australia co-founder and director Jade Costello has the following tips for renters applying for properties.

1. Leave no gaps in your application. Property Managers will simply move to the next applicant if there is anything missing and they have 10 more applications to choose from.

2. Ensure your lease commencement date is no longer than two weeks from the availability date.

RELATED: Suburbs at the epicentre of Melbourne’s rental crisis

Family rejected from 60 rentals becomes homeless

Rental ‘firestorm’ leaves families living in tents

3. Supply three of your last pay slips or your employment letter of offer for a new role.

4. Ask your current property manager for your tenant ledger and provide as a supporting document to prove you have a track record of paying rent on time and in full.

5. If you have a pet, create a pet resume, that includes a photo. This reassures rental providers you are a responsible owner and will look after the property.

6. Go the extra mile and supply a bank statement if you are in the fortunate position of having savings.

7. If you own a property, provide proof of ownership. A council rates notice or the first page of a contract of sale is ideal.

8. Create a cover letter to introduce yourself and sell why you would make an ideal tenant. A cover letter is also important if you have any unusual circumstances that need additional explaining.

9. After an inspection submit your application before the next business day.

10. Let your references know they will be contacted and ask them to reply promptly (online tenancy applications can automatically contact your references the moment your application is submitted).

11. No more than 30 per cent of your income should go towards rent. Property managers will have hesitations about affordability if your income is too low.

RELATED: Dad fails 100s of rent applications, forced to move 200km away

Young couple flee rental crisis after six-month search

12. Property managers are known to start their reference checks by Googling you, checking your social media and even dating profiles to ensure nothing suspicious crops up. It’s a good idea to switch social media profiles to private just in case.

13. If you are self-employed provide a letter from your accountant or your last year’s tax return to prove income.

14. If there is an opportunity to add a photo to your online application do this! Agents love to put a face to your name, and it helps build familiarity..

---

Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox.

MORE: Inside $75m home of wild A-List party

Serendipity home where Farnham, Graeham Goble jammed for sale

King Gizzard rocker’s home being sold by model mum

[e-mail]

Originally published as Rent advice: How to get your foot in the door on your next rental application