How to Win Over a Prospective Landlord

Contact the landlord in a respectful manner. When you make first contact with the landlord, you should call or email them and provide your full name, your contact information, and your interest in the property. Be brief and to the point in your phone message or your email. You can also provide a brief description of yourself, like “responsible graduate student looking for a long term rental property” or “young professional with a strong rental history”. The rental market can be highly competitive, so try to contact the landlord as soon as you see the property for rent online or in the Classifieds section of the newspaper.^[1]

• If you were referred to the rental property by a friend who lives in the building, and they are in good standing with the landlord, you can also mention them as a referral in your phone message or email.

Prepare a rental resume. Compile all of the necessary documentation for your application so you can simply hand it to the prospective landlord during the rental inspection. This will speed up the application process and make it easier for the landlord to determine if you would be a good fit for the rental property. Your rental resume should include:^[2]

• Details of your rental history: This should include your current address and past addresses, as well as contact information for past landlords and the dates you resided at each location. If you cannot locate detailed information for all of your rental history, focus on the last two places you rented or lived in.
• Details of your employment history: This should include contact information for your current employer and your past employer, including their names, addresses, and phone numbers. You should also include your salary history and the dates of your employment. This will show the landlord that you have a steady income and can afford to pay rent every month.
• At least two references: You should prepare at least two references, one professional reference like your current boss or former landlord, as well as one personal reference, like a family friend or former next-door neighbor. Look for individuals who can boost your application and give you a good recommendation.
• Your credit history and credit score: If possible, you should try to get a copy of your credit history and your current credit score from your bank. This will show your landlord you have a history of good credit and can pay bills on time. If you have a poor credit score, you should prepare a reason or explanation for your poor credit score and be able to provide current employment information that will show you can pay rent on time every month.

Dress professionally for the rental inspection. Make the best first impression when you meet the prospective landlord by dressing professionally and looking presentable. This doesn’t necessarily mean a suit and tie but you should put some care into your appearance. Avoid sweats, slippers, or uncombed hair. A clean shirt, jeans, and a clean appearance will show you put effort into looking presentable for the landlord.^[3]

• If your potential roommate is coming with you on the rental inspection, ensure they are also dressed professionally and are presentable for the first meeting with the landlord.

Be on time for the rental inspection. Try to be a bit early and wait outside of the rental property for the landlord with a big smile. This will make a good first impression and the landlord will likely remember that you made the effort to be on time.^[4]