Before you apply for a rental, you might wonder, "How long does a rental application take?" The amount of time depends on how thorough the application is, how the landlord uses the information, and the inspections done by other people.
The following guide tells you all you need to know about the rental application process, from the initial submission to the final approval.
Whether you're a tenant or a landlord, knowing these steps can help you prepare and avoid delays. For example, having your income documents ready can speed things up. If you know who approves apartment applications, you can also deal with any concerns ahead of time. For more details, scroll down now!
Quick Facts About Rental Application Processing
What Is a Rental Application and Why Is It Important?
When you want to rent a place, you fill out a rental application. It requires knowing about you, your work, your income, and your previous rentals. The process of leasing an apartment always starts with this step. Without a complete application, landlords cannot check your background, income, or references. This makes it risky for them to rent to you.
What’s the Purpose of a Rental Application?
The major purpose of the rental application is to see whether you are a good renter. Landlords use it to check your income, rental history, and identification. For example, landlords may ask for pay stubs or bank statements to prove you can pay rent.
They might call your old landlords to see if you paid on time and took care of the property. This helps them avoid tenants who might not pay or might damage the apartment.
Useful advice: Always be honest and provide accurate information. If you do not have a document, explain why. This can prevent delays in the rental application process.
What’s Included in a Rental Application?
A typical rental application asks for:
- Your name and contact information
- Your job and employer details
- Proof of income (like pay stubs)
- Rental history (where you lived before)
- References (from employers or past landlords)
- Permission for background or hard/soft credit checks
The LeaseRunner application process uses online forms to make things easier while keeping your data safe.. For example, you may need to provide your Social Security number (SSN) for a credit check, but it is not stored or shown to the landlord.
Useful advice: Collect all your documents before you apply. This includes your ID, pay stubs, and phone numbers for references. Being prepared makes the time it takes to process an apartment application much shorter.
Who Handles Rental Applications?
Most of the time, landlords, property managers, or leasing agents go over applications. Landlords can send the paperwork to renters for free via email using platforms like LeaseRunner. These people review your information and choose whether or not you receive the residence.
If you know who accepts apartment applications, you will know who to ask if you have questions. Helpful tip: Always be nice and straightforward when you talk to the person who is managing your application. Quick, competent answers help things go forward faster.
How Long Does a Rental Application Take?
A rental application usually takes between one and three business days to process. Some landlords accept applications in only a few hours, particularly if the person applying has a solid credit score and a steady income.
But during busy seasons or if the application is missing information, it can take a week or longer. The timeline depends on the rental application process and outside factors.
For example, landlords check credit reports, verify jobs, and call previous landlords to reduce risk. If your credit score is high and your income is steady, approval often comes faster.
Useful advice: To speed up the process, prepare all documents ahead of time. This includes pay stubs, references, and a photo ID. Having these ready makes the time it takes to process an apartment application shorter.
What Situations Can Lead to Delay?
Delays happen when applications are incomplete, references respond slowly, or demand is high. Automated screening tools make checks go faster, while manual evaluations take longer. Leasing an apartment requires caution to safeguard both landlords and renters.
To be the best, you must stay in touch with the landlord or property manager. A polite follow-up shows that you mean what you say and helps make sure your application moves forward.
In short, it normally takes a few days to be approved for a rental, but being ready and responsive could speed things up.
How Long Does Each Step of a Rental Application Take?
Knowing how long rental applications take to get approved means understanding the time each step takes in the renting application process. Here’s a breakdown:
Submission of Application and Documents
Filling out and sending your application usually takes 30 minutes to a few hours. If you have all your documents ready, like IDs, pay stubs, and rental history, you can finish this step fast. Many landlords use online systems, which help avoid mistakes and speed things up.
Payment of Application Fees
Most landlords charge a fee, usually between $25 and $75. This fee pays for background and credit checks. If you pay online, it is processed right away. If you pay by check or a slower method, it can cause delays. Pay fees quickly to avoid waiting.
Example: If you pay your fee online as soon as you apply, the landlord can start your screening right away.
Tenant Screening Reports
Tenant screening is a key part of the process of leasing an apartment. It includes:
- Credit Check: Shows your credit score and is usually done instantaneously.
- Criminal Background Check: Instantaneous, but manual search can add 24-48 hours. ,.
- Eviction Check: Checks for past evictions and usually finishes instantaneously.
- Income Verification & Cash Flow Report: Instantaneously proves you can pay rent. If done by hand, this can take 1 to 3 days.
Automated screening tools can finish these checks fast. Manual checks take longer.
Example: LeaseRunner can run all these reports instantly if you provide your info and pay the fee.
Landlord/Reference Verification for Renting
Landlords call your old landlords and employers to check your history. This pre-renting verification process can take 1 to 3 days, depending on how fast your references reply. If your last landlord answers right away, you move to the next step faster.
Example: If you tell your references to expect a call, they can reply quickly and help speed up the approval process.
Final Decision and Communication
After all the checks, the landlord usually decides and tells you within 24 hours. Some landlords might call you first and then send the lease.
Example: If you get a call saying you are approved, you might get the lease by email the same day.
What Can Affect Rental Application Processing Time?
Many things can change the time that a rental application takes. Knowing these helps you avoid delays.
Incomplete or Inaccurate Applications
If you leave out information or make mistakes, the landlord has to ask for more details. For example, if you forget your pay stub or give a wrong phone number for a reference, the landlord must follow up. This can add days to the overall approval process.
Useful advice: Double-check your application before you send it. Make sure all documents are attached and all info is correct.
Slow Responses from Employers or References
Landlords often call your employer or old landlords to check your history. If these people are slow to reply, your application takes longer. For example, if your boss is on vacation or your old landlord is hard to reach, you might wait several days.
Useful advice: Tell your references and employer to expect a call or email. Give the landlord the best contact info for them.
Screening Company Speed & Tools
The technology used by screening companies affects the average time that a rental application takes. Automated systems can check your credit and background in hours. Landlords using LeaseRunner or similar platforms get instant reports. This speeds up the renting application process.
Some landlords still use manual checks or paper forms. These can take days. For example, if a landlord calls each reference by phone, it slows down the approval process.
Useful advice: Ask the landlord what screening tools they use. If they use online systems, your application will move faster.
High Demand or Peak Seasons
During busy times, like summer or when school starts, many people apply at once. Landlords get lots of applications and need more time to review them. For example, in cities with many renters, landlords might get dozens of applications a week.
Useful advice: Apply early and make your application complete and strong. This helps you stand out and avoid delays.
How Tenants Can Speed Up the Rental Application
Tenants can do a lot to reduce the length of a rental application:
- Submit a complete application: Have all documents ready, like pay stubs, ID, and rental history.
- Pay fees right away: Unpaid fees delay approval.
- Respond quickly: If the landlord asks for more info, reply fast.
- Give accurate contact details: Make sure your employer and references can be reached.
Example: If you send in your application with all documents and pay the fee the same day, the landlord can start screening right away.
Useful advice: Let your references know to expect a call. This helps them reply quickly and keeps your application moving.
How Landlords Can Streamline the Process
Landlords can make the process of leasing an apartment faster and smoother.
- Use online tools: Platforms like LeaseRunner let tenants submit everything online and help cut down on paperwork and mistakes.
- Automate screening: Trusted services can run background, credit, and eviction checks quickly.
- Communicate clearly: Tell tenants what you need and when you need it. This helps them send complete applications.
- Never skip the rental application process: It protects you from bad tenants and legal issues in the future.
Useful advice: Tell tenants what documents to send and how to pay fees. This makes it easier for them to apply and for you to review.
Final Thoughts
How long does a rental application take? Knowing this helps everyone have fair expectations. Most applications are looked at in 1 to 3 days, but sometimes they take longer. Understanding how to rent an apartment, what screening is, and who approves apartment applications may help the process go more smoothly.
Being ready and speaking properly is good for both renters and landlords. If you send in all of your paperwork and pay your fees immediately, for example, you assist the landlord in accepting your application more quickly.
Landlords who employ online tools and provide clear directions make it easy for everyone to fill out a rental application. If you want to have more information regarding issues, feel free to check our LeaseRunner blog right away.
FAQs
Q1. How long does it take to process an apartment application?
Usually, it takes one to three business days to go over a rental application. But it might take a week or more if your application is lacking information or if it's a busy time of year. In this case, sending in all the necessary paperwork, such as pay stubs and references, ahead of time will make the process go faster.
Q2. Who approves apartment applications?
Landlords, property managers, or leasing agents will review applications and give them approval. They verify your rental history, income, and background before making the decision.
Q3. What is the LeaseRunner application process?
It's an online rental application system like others that provides data about your rental history, credit, and income to make sure you're eligible.
Q4. Can application fees delay approval?
Yes. Not paying application costs might slow down the approval process. Paying your fees on time guarantees that your application proceeds without any problems.
Q5. How can tenants speed up approvals?
Fill out the whole application and send in all the relevant papers. Pay the fees fast and answer queries from the landlord swiftly. Giving appropriate contact information for past landlords and employment also helps speed up the process of applying to rent.
