Zoe Alvarez
When applying for a new rental property, landlords will often request a rental history report, which details your past rentals, including the addresses, contact information for the landlord, dates of tenancy, and any issues that arose during your stay. This information helps landlords assess your reliability as a tenant and make informed decisions about whether to approve your application. While being on a lease can contribute to your rental history, it is not the sole factor, as landlords may also consider other aspects such as income verification, credit history, and personal references.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rental history report | A written history of your past rentals, including a comprehensive list of addresses, contact information for landlords or property managers, dates of residence, and rent paid |
| Landlord reference checks | Help reveal a tenant's payment history, lease violations, and behavior as a tenant |
| Credit checks | Conducted by landlords to assess financial background and responsibility |
| Personal interviews | Conducted by landlords to assess tenant suitability |
| Income verification | Landlords may request pay stubs or tax returns to verify steady income |
| Co-signer or guarantor | May be required for first-time renters or those without rental history |
| Lease agreement | A signed lease agreement may be required by landlords to verify rental history |
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What You'll Learn
Rental history reports
A rental history report is a written record of your past rentals. It provides landlords with an overview of your tenancy history and helps them decide whether to rent to you. While you are not required to have one, it is a good idea to obtain a copy of your report to check for errors and dispute any inaccuracies. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you are entitled to a free copy of your rental history report.
When applying for a new rental property, landlords may request your rental history report as part of the tenant screening process. They may also conduct credit checks, personal interviews, and reference checks with your current and previous landlords. If you are a first-time renter without a rental history, landlords may consider alternative methods of verification, such as pay stubs, tax returns, or a co-signer on the lease. Providing references or a guarantor can also improve your chances of securing a rental property.
In some cases, individuals may struggle to build a rental history due to the challenges of finding landlords willing to rent to them. To address this, creative solutions such as renting directly from property owners, providing a guarantor, or using a co-signer on the lease have been suggested. While some individuals have shared strategies for overcoming this hurdle, such as listing family members as landlords or creating fake websites and phone numbers, it is important to act with honesty and integrity when providing rental history information.
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Landlord reference checks
When conducting landlord reference checks, it is important to ask the right questions. Some standard questions to ask during a reference check include:
- Can you confirm the applicant rented from you for the dates and rate specified?
- Did the applicant keep the rental property in good condition?
- Were there any lease violations, such as noise complaints, unauthorized tenants or pets, or illegal activities?
- Were there any issues with late rent payments?
- Were there any complaints from neighbours?
It is also important to keep in mind that landlord reference checks are not foolproof. The landlord you speak to might not provide accurate information, whether intentionally or unintentionally. They could confuse your applicant with someone else, especially if they manage a multi-unit property. Additionally, they might not disclose negative information if they are eager to get rid of a problem tenant. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct reference checks in addition to credit, criminal, income, and eviction checks to get a more complete picture of your applicant.
In some cases, applicants may not have any rental history, such as first-time renters or those who have previously lived with family or friends. In these situations, landlords can consider other factors, such as pay stubs, tax return stubs, or co-signed leases. Applicants can also provide character references from employers or someone who knows them well to demonstrate their reliability. While lack of rental history may be a concern, it does not necessarily mean that the applicant will not be a good tenant.
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First-time renters
If you're renting for the first time, understanding the concept of a rent or lease history is important. Essentially, a rent history serves as a record of your performance as a tenant. While it may not seem significant, having a positive rent history can bring numerous benefits when seeking future rentals.
Being on a lease means you are legally responsible for the rent and the property. This includes paying rent on time and maintaining the property according to the lease agreement. By fulfilling these obligations, you establish a positive rent history, which demonstrates your reliability and financial responsibility to potential landlords.
As a first-time renter, getting on a lease is an important step in building your rent history. When you sign a lease, you're entering into a legal agreement with the landlord or property manager, outlining the terms and conditions of your tenancy, including the duration of your stay and the amount of rent you'll pay.
To build a strong rent history, consistently pay your rent on time and maintain a good relationship with your landlord or property manager. Communicate any issues promptly and resolve them amicably. Keep the property in good condition and adhere to the lease terms.
While being on a lease is crucial, simply having your name on a rental agreement might not be enough. Consider that some rental companies and landlords report payments to credit bureaus, helping build your credit score and providing a verifiable record of your rental history. Ask if they report rental payments to credit bureaus, as not all landlords do.
Strengthen your rent history by requesting a letter of recommendation from your landlord when your lease ends. This letter can highlight your reliability, timely payments, and positive aspects of your tenancy, aiding future rental applications, especially when moving to a new area.
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$7.95
Co-signers and guarantors
A co-signer or guarantor on a lease can help landlords accept tenants who may not otherwise qualify for a rental agreement. However, landlords are not obligated to accept tenants who require either of the two.
Co-signers
A co-signer signs the lease with you and shares equal liability for paying the rent from the first day. They can live in the property with you as a tenant and pay their share of the rent and other lease agreement responsibilities. Co-signers must meet strict financial qualifications, including good credit and sufficient income. If your landlord reports rent payments to credit bureaus, both your credit and your co-signer's credit can strengthen over time if all payments are made as agreed.
Guarantors
A guarantor is a party who vouches for you financially. They sign the lease with you and agree to the terms set by your landlord, including monthly rental payments. A guarantor can be a family member, friend, or a third-party guarantor service, and they assure the landlord that the rent will be paid without any worries. Unlike a co-signer, a guarantor is not entitled to occupy and live in the apartment. They are only responsible for the rent if the tenant defaults and may have to put up collateral on the rental agreement. If the lease defaults, they could lose the collateral they put up.
If you have no rental history, a co-signer or guarantor can help assure the landlord that you will pay your rent on time. A co-signer with a healthy rental history can make the landlord feel more comfortable with first-time tenants. A guarantor, on the other hand, can offset the risk of non-payment by putting up collateral and agreeing to pay if the tenant defaults.
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Lease violations
A lease violation is any action that breaks the terms of a Lease Agreement. As a lease is a contract, a lease violation is legally a breach of contract. Lease violations include the tenant doing something forbidden by the Lease Agreement, or the tenant failing to do something required by the Lease Agreement. For example, if the Lease Agreement forbids pets over a certain weight or size, a tenant may be violating the terms if they get a large dog. Other examples of lease violations include noise complaints, unauthorised tenants, failing to pay rent, or neglecting to maintain the property, such as by failing to mow the lawn.
Millions of tenants are evicted every year for lease violations. Landlords should check for previous evictions, criminal history, and financial background before signing a lease. Landlord reference checks can help reveal a tenant’s payment history and lease violations. Landlords can also call current and previous landlords to ask questions about a prospective tenant.
If a tenant commits a minor violation, it may not be in the landlord's best interest to immediately file an eviction lawsuit, as the eviction process is often expensive, and the tenant may otherwise be a good fit. Instead, the landlord may want to send notice of the lease violation and give the tenant a chance to make things right. In some places, landlord-tenant laws require landlords to give a warning for minor or first-time violations before they can file for eviction. If the tenant breaks the law in the rental unit, the landlord may need to tell them, in writing, to stop, or contact the local authorities depending on the severity of the conduct. If the tenant has committed a serious violation or failed to correct violations after being warned, the landlord may send an Eviction Notice, specifying how the tenant may fix the issue or explaining that they may be required to move out by a certain date.
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Frequently asked questions
A rental history report is a written history of your past rentals. It includes a comprehensive list of addresses, contact information for the landlord or property manager, the dates you lived at each rental, and the amount of rent you paid. It may also include issues like late rent payments, evictions, broken leases, and other major problems.
If you're a first-time renter, you can provide references or a co-signer, such as a parent, family member, roommate, or friend with a healthy rental history. Landlords may also check your income by requesting pay stubs or running a credit report.
Even without a formal lease agreement, you can still build a rental history. Verbal agreements with landlords are often accepted. Landlords will typically ask for the names and contact information of previous landlords to verify your rental history and payment information.
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