Finding the perfect apartment is exciting until the background check looms over you. Credit scores, rental history, and even past mistakes can impact your approval. But don’t stress. With the right preparation and a few smart moves, you can make sure your application stands out and get the keys to your new place faster.
How to pass a background check for an apartment? Let’s find out with us!
What Landlords Look for in a Rental Background Check (And How to Prepare)
Currently, landlords are handing over responsibility for their property. That’s why they carefully screen tenants to avoid late payments, property damage, or lease violations. A background check helps them determine whether you’re a reliable renter.
After reviewing your applications as part of the property renting process, landlords may want to review your credit history, rental history, criminal record, and employment and income. Before applying, get ahead of potential issues. Check your credit score, review your rental history, and be ready to explain anything that might raise concerns. If something negative appears in your background check, explain it carefully to your landlord.
What Does an Apartment Background Check Include?
A background check for an apartment is a deep dive into your financial and rental history.
- Credit Report: Landlords use your credit score to gauge financial responsibility. They’ll look for late payments, high debt, and overall credit health. A low score doesn’t mean automatic rejection, but it could make it harder to get approved.
- Rental History: Evictions, past-due rent, and disputes with landlords can hurt your application. Many landlords also check past addresses to verify how long you stayed in previous rentals.
- Criminal Background: Not all landlords have the same standards when it comes to criminal history. Some may be flexible, while others have strict policies, especially for violent or property-related crimes.
- Employment & Income Verification: Most landlords require proof that you make at least 2.5 to 3 times the rent. They might request pay stubs, bank statements, or employer verification to confirm stability.
- References: Some landlords ask for references from previous landlords or employers to get a better sense of your reliability and character.
3-Step Guide to Passing a Background Check for an Apartment
Want to pass your apartment background check with ease? Follow these steps to improve your chances and make sure landlords see you as a trustworthy tenant.
Step 1: Check Your Own Background Report Before Applying
Before a landlord checks your background, do it yourself. You can request a free credit report from sites like AnnualCreditReport.com and check your rental history through tenant screening services. Look for errors, outdated information, or anything that might raise concerns.
If you have past issues (like an eviction or a missed bill payment), be prepared to explain. A well-written letter or a conversation with the landlord can sometimes override a red flag.
Step 2: Improve Your Credit Score to Increase Approval Chances
A strong credit score shows landlords that you’re financially responsible. If your score is lower than you’d like, take these steps to improve it:
- Pay off outstanding debts: Reduce any unpaid bills, especially those in collections.
- Make on-time payments: Consistency helps boost your score over time.
- Keep credit card balances low: High utilization can negatively impact your score.
- Avoid new hard inquiries: Too many credit applications can make you seem risky.
Even small improvements can make a big difference when applying for an apartment.
Step 3: Fix Any Red Flags in Your Rental or Criminal History
Instead of ignoring your criminal history, try to address it:
- Evictions or late rent: Contact previous landlords to settle unpaid balances.
- Criminal history: Expunging or sealing records (if eligible) can improve your chances. Otherwise, a personal letter explaining your circumstances and showing how you’ve changed may help.
A proactive approach can turn a questionable record into a non-issue. Landlords always appreciate honesty and responsibility.
What If You Have a Bad Background Check? How to Still Get Approved?
A bad background check isn’t the end of your apartment hunt. Address potential concerns before they become deal-breakers. Offer solutions, like a larger security deposit or a co-signer, to reassure landlords that you’re a responsible renter.
Can You Rent an Apartment with Bad Credit or an Eviction?
Yes, but it might take more effort. Landlords rely on credit scores and rental history to gauge risk, and while bad credit or an eviction won’t automatically disqualify you, they do make approval harder since it can signify that you are a possible delinquent tenant.
- Show strong income: If your credit is weak, proving you make at least 3x of the rent can help balance it out. Provide pay stubs, bank statements, or an offer letter.
- Find a co-signer or guarantor: Someone with good credit who vouches for you can ease a landlord’s concerns.
- Offer a larger deposit: This lowers the landlord’s risk and can make them more willing to overlook past issues.
- Get strong references: A glowing recommendation from an employer or past landlord can help offset a bad credit score.
Many landlords look at the bigger picture rather than just numbers. Remember to show your responsibility and stability, you can still secure an apartment.
What Apartments Don’t Require Background Checks?
Most apartments conduct background checks, but some landlords, particularly those offering private rentals, may skip this step.
Individual property owners are often more flexible than large apartment complexes and may not require a formal screening process. Websites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and local rental groups can be great resources for finding these listings. Additionally, some buildings cater to renters with poor credit by offering "no credit check" apartments, though they may require higher security deposits or proof of steady income instead.
For those in need of temporary housing, extended-stay hotels and month-to-month leases are alternative options that typically don’t require full background checks, making them a practical choice while rebuilding rental history.
Common Questions About Apartment Background Checks
Background checks can feel like a maze, but understanding how they work makes the process smoother.
How Long Does a Rental Background Check Take?
Most background checks take 24-72 hours, but the exact timeline depends on a few factors:
- Online applications: Many property management companies use instant screening services, providing results within minutes.
- Manual verification: If a landlord personally calls your employer or previous landlord, it can take a few extra days.
- Weekends & holidays: Background checks can get delayed if offices are closed.
What Credit Bureau Do Apartments Use?
Most landlords rely on one or more of the three major credit bureaus when screening tenants. Experian is commonly used for tenant credit reports, Equifax helps assess overall financial history, and TransUnion’s SmartMove is specifically designed for tenant screenings, making it a popular choice for property managers. Many landlords also use third-party screening services, like LeaseRunner, which pull credit details from these bureaus to provide a comprehensive tenant background check.
What to Do If You Fail a Rental Background Check?
Landlords reject applications for different reasons, from credit issues to rental history concerns. But you can take steps to fix the problem and still find a great place to live.
How to Dispute Errors on Your Background Report?
Mistakes on background reports are more common than people realize. If your application was denied due to incorrect information, you have the right to dispute it and get it corrected.
- Get a copy of your report: Request a free copy of your report from the company.
- Review for mistakes: Look for incorrect personal details, accounts that don’t belong to you, paid-off debts listed as unpaid, or outdated eviction records.
- Dispute the errors: Contact the reporting agency (TransUnion, Experian, Equifax, or the screening service) and file a dispute. They are legally required to investigate.
- Provide proof: If you have documentation proving the error (e.g., payment receipts, cleared evictions, identity theft reports), submit it along with your dispute.
- Follow-up: Corrections can take up to 30 days, so check back to ensure the issue gets resolved.
Once fixed, request a new background check or explain the error to your potential landlord. Many are willing to reconsider.
Can You Get Approved with a Bad Background Check?
Definitely yes! But you’ll need to get creative. Landlords typically reject applications for financial risk or rental history concerns, but there are ways to work around a bad background check.
Being upfront about your situation and providing a brief, honest explanation can build trust. A co-signer with good credit can also strengthen your application and reassure landlords. Offering a larger security deposit, such as two or three months’ rent upfront, can further ease concerns. Moreover, demonstrating strong income with pay stubs, tax returns, or an employer letter proves you can afford the rent. Lastly, strong references from past landlords or employers can make a significant impact in securing approval.
Even with a rocky background check, many landlords are willing to work with tenants who take responsibility and provide solutions.
Final Thoughts
One rejection doesn’t define your rental future. Plenty of renters have faced obstacles and still found great homes, and you can, too! Therefore, stay informed and explore more rental insights into the issue like “how to pass a background check for an apartment” on LeaseRunner blogs.
FAQs
Q1: How Far Do Rental Background Checks Go?
Most rental background checks go back seven to ten years, but this can vary based on state laws (including Fair Housing Act) and the type of screening.
Q2: Does LeaseRunner Report to Credit Bureaus?
No, LeaseRunner itself does not report rent payments to credit bureaus. However, it provides a platform where landlords and property managers can access tenant credit reports sourced from Experian to assess applicants' financial histories.
Q3: How Much Is a Background Check for an Apartment?
The cost of a rental background check depends on the landlord and the screening service they use. On average, application fees range from $30 to $75 per adult applicant.
Q4: Why Do Apartments Do Background Checks?
Landlords run background checks to reduce risk. A background check helps them confirm financial stability, verify employment, and look for criminal records.
