How long does it take to process a rental application? This is a question that keeps many prospective tenants up at night, and is a problem that landlords and property managers are striving to solve every day. But there’s no single, easy answer. This article explores all the elements influencing how long it takes for landlords and property managers to approve a rental application and get back to you.
You’ve found the perfect place. Now the anxiety of waiting to hear back begins. We’ve all been there. However, familiarizing yourself with the process and common timelines can help to manage expectations.
How long does it take to process a rental application? The average processing time for a rental application is generally one to three business days, but in some cases it can take up to two weeks–it all depends on the property manager’s systems, contracts with their clients (the landlord), and the completeness of the rental application when submitted by the prospective tenant. There are many factors at play, and we’ll cover the process from start to finish here.
Our company, RentSafe, is a tenant screening software platform which allows landlords and property managers to process rental applications in minutes! When a tenant submits their application through RentSafe, the property manager receives a notification instantly with a link to view the rental application, credit report, and background check–with just a few clicks, the property manager can approve an application or request more information from an applicant.
Understanding Rental Application Processing
A rental application helps landlords evaluate whether you’re a suitable tenant for their property. It’s essentially a background check for renting. This process allows the landlord or property manager to verify your information, assess your financial stability, and determine your reliability as a renter.
Key Components of Rental Application Processing
While specific steps might vary slightly between landlords, several core elements are fairly universal in the rental application review procedure.
- Reviewing Your Application: Landlords look over the application for any inconsistencies or missing information. This includes “soft” factors such as a personal statement, pet information, move-in date, etc.
- To avoid unnecessary delays, we recommend providing comprehensive and concise information on your rental application regarding questions about your desired move-in date, details on any pets, and the length of lease you are seeking–frontloading this information on your rental application helps to speed up the process from the start.
- Background Check: This investigates a criminal record check, verifying the information you provided is accurate. They may delve into previous addresses, employment history, or any records that raise red flags. Most background checks cover the past seven years. This part of the application process can sometime trigger delays, depending on the regulations in your specific jurisdiction.
- There’s not much you can do to expedite the criminal screening process, but we encourage applicants to be upfront with their prospective new landlord about any past infractions that may show up on a background check. It’s best to be candid and proactive if you’re concerned about a red flag on your background check.
- Rental History: Like with a job, a tenant’s rental history matters. Rental applicants will often (and we encourage this) provide landlord references on their application. Reaching out to previous landlords can take time because landlords are not legally obligated to respond promptly, and are often busy managing their other current tenants!
- We recommend that applicants shoot their former landlord an email or text message before listing them as a reference, so they can be on the lookout for the reference check and respond quickly.
- Credit Check: How you’ve managed finances shows how responsible you are with debt payments and other financial obligations. Like your rent, landlords want to see if you pay your bills on time. While checking your credit report is a fast digital process (the credit report is generated in seconds through RentSafe), it still adds to the overall timeline. A credit freeze, though meant to protect you, can also cause delays.
- Applicants should check their credit before applying to a rental property, so you can address any discrepancies or inaccuracies before the application process begins.
- Verifying Employment and Income: A landlord’s priority is ensuring you can make rent. Most landlords use the rule of three—your monthly income should be at least three times the rent, but this varies depending on the landlord’s personal preferences, market conditions in your area, and legal/regulatory requirements in your jurisdiction. This step may require contacting your employer to verify employment history. Reaching someone in HR to confirm your details isn’t always instant.
- When possible, we recommend uploading any income verification documents to your rental application–this will expedite the process significantly.
What Factors Can Delay a Rental Application?
Several factors can cause delays in the application process:
- High Volume of Applications
- Manual Reviews
- Third-Party Delays
- Delays in communication between the property manager (or real estate agent) and the landlord. If the landlord makes the final decision on approval/denial, then regardless of how quickly the property manager/agent presents your application to the homeowner, then the landlord determines how fast (or slow) the process will be.
- Incomplete Applications: Forgetting a pay stub or leaving blanks adds extra back-and-forth
- Issues With Your Application: Inconsistencies in the info you provided and what the background check uncovers could lead to delays while the landlord investigates
How To Minimize Delays
It’s natural to wonder, “How long does it take to get approved for an apartment?” And while some things are beyond your control, you can take certain steps to avoid unnecessary delays and increase the likelihood of getting approved. Consider these tips to potentially make your application approved faster.
- Thorough Application Review: Proofread your application. Ensure all information is correct, signatures are in place, and no field is left blank. Submitting a complete and error-free application makes a positive impression and prevents back-and-forth for clarification or missing details.
- Transparency is Key: If you have something that might look unusual (like a gap in your rental history or a past eviction), being upfront and providing context shows honesty.
- Gather Documentation Upfront: Compile your supporting documentation—ID, income proof, references—in advance to avoid scrambling at the last moment. A little planning and a well-organized file go a long way.
- Inform Your References: Let your references (previous landlords, employers) know they might receive a call about your rental application process. They’ll be more likely to respond promptly, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve been in touch. It’s also a common courtesy.
- Maintain Open Communication: Follow up politely with the landlord or property manager a day or two after submitting to inquire about the status. While frequent calls can be bothersome, demonstrating interest and staying engaged is perfectly acceptable.
Rental Application Timeline FAQs
We’ve compiled some answers to commonly asked questions. Keep these in mind as you navigate your rental search journey.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is there a way to know how long the rental application will take for a specific property? | Yes, ask the landlord or property manager for their average processing timeframe. While they can’t offer an exact duration, they can give you a reasonable expectation. |
| Does submitting my application during peak season impact the timeframe? | It can. Many people move during the summer months or around holidays, resulting in higher application volumes. Be prepared for a slightly longer review process. |
| Is it acceptable to apply to multiple places at once? | Absolutely. In a competitive rental market, applying to multiple apartments that you’re genuinely interested in makes perfect sense, increasing your chances of finding a place you love. It’s completely normal and doesn’t raise red flags with landlords. |
As someone with experience in the moving industry, I’ve seen how unexpected roadblocks in the apartment application process can throw off the whole moving schedule. Understanding the variables and playing an active role helps the process move efficiently, getting you into your new home sooner. It also demonstrates your preparedness as a responsible tenant. And while waiting is rarely fun, remember that careful tenant selection benefits everyone involved.
FAQs about How long does it take to process a rental application
Should you follow up on a rental application?
Yes, but give them some time and space first. Waiting a few days after the estimated time (or what the landlord initially stated) before politely inquiring is a good approach.
Does a rental application hurt your credit?
A rental application itself does not lower your credit score. Credit checks, on the other hand, usually result in what’s called an inquiry on your credit report. They happen every time a lender or a company checks your credit history before potentially offering a loan, a credit card, or — in this case — approving your rental application. A “hard inquiry” can temporarily hurt your credit, while a “soft inquiry” does not have an impact on your credit. Check with the property manager or tenant screening provider about if their credit check is a hard or soft inquiry. RentSafe exclusively uses soft credit pulls, to avoid harm to applicants’ credit scores.
How fast can you move into an apartment?
This depends entirely on the apartment’s availability and when the lease starts. Some apartments offer immediate move-ins if the unit is ready. But usually, it’s at least a couple of weeks from application to getting the keys. If the landlord needs to turn over the apartment (clean, paint, or fix any issues) after the previous renter, it takes longer.
So how long does it take to process a rental application?
Well, like most things in life, it’s rarely a one-size-fits-all answer and is dependent on a number of factors as described in this article. Most modern tenant screening software allows for instant processing of the rental application data (the credit check and background check), but there are still humans involved in the process after the application is submitted. We encourage most of our property management customers to strive for a 3-day turnaround time, but the results will vary.
Understanding the factors influencing the timeline—from application volume to the complexities of your situation—can reduce uncertainty. While this explanation doesn’t offer a magic button for instant approvals, it hopefully demystifies the process. Happy apartment hunting!
