Renting a home or apartment is not only about discovering a property that meets your requirements—it’s also about persuading the landlord that you are the ideal candidate for the space. And the thing is: landlords are not simply giving over the keys to anyone who can produce a checkbook in hand. Landlords have their own requirements, standards, and gut feelings toward applicants, and their choices are going to be guided by these factors.
If you’re hoping to secure your ideal apartment or rental home, knowing what most matters to landlords can be of huge benefit. So let’s explore what landlords are actually looking for in a renter and how you can emerge as the best candidate in the applications sent your way.
It Begins with Stable Income and a Verifiable Job
The first thing any landlord is going to take comfort in is knowing his or her tenant can afford the rent—every month, on time, without exception. What provides this is steady income. If you are employed full-time, with regular pay, better yet, one you’ve been with for an extended period, it’s a sign of stability.
Landlords adore stability. That doesn’t mean freelancers, gig workers, and self-employed individuals are at a loss, though. It simply means you’ll have to prove yourself with bank statements, tax returns, or client invoices. Anything that confirms you’re not paycheck-to-paycheck, or waiting to see what the next gig is going to be to pay your rent.
You’ve Got to Be Respectful—and It Shows
This one is huge and tends to get underappreciated. Landlords are human beings, and no one wants to lease their property to someone who comes off as rude, entitled, or disrespectful. The manner in which you communicate—over the phone, through email, or while on the property tour—is important. If you’re nice, ask thoughtful questions, and indicate enthusiasm about maintaining the property, it says a lot about the kind of tenant you’ll be.
Small gestures such as being punctual to showings, being well-organized with your papers, and being grateful can pay off in the long run by leaving a good impression. It’s not being stuffy—just being decent and thoughtful.
They Want Someone Who Will Treat the Property Like It’s Theirs
Landlords want tenants who treat the rental as home, not as a short-term crash pad. They don’t want to have some weekend party animal who’s going to have wild parties each weekend or treat the space like it can be replaced at any time. They want someone who’ll keep the space tidy, report if something breaks, and be kind to the neighbors. One surprisingly easy thing to do that demonstrates you’re serious about being responsible? You talk about how you always get renters insurance.
It’s not something to tuck in your wallet and forget about—it demonstrates how much you care about your stuff and theirs. Besides, renters insurance covers your personal property against various damages, so it’s a good thing to have anyway.
Landlords like tenants who are proactive like this. It lets them know you’re looking ahead and you get the importance of having things covered in the event something does go wrong. It’s minor, but it can pay off big when it comes to how you’re received as a candidate.
So when you’re looking at a place, discuss how you maintain your home now. Perhaps you garden, or you’re good with small repairs, or you’re preemptive with repairs. Bringing this up casually, along with the fact that you always have renters insurance, can help portray you as being responsible with space and caring about it deeply.
Flexibility and Willingness to Follow Rules
Every rental comes with its own set of rules—whether it’s a no-smoking policy, a limit on pets, or restrictions on painting the walls neon green. A tenant who is flexible, agreeable, and willing to follow house rules is a landlord’s dream. This does not imply you must agree to do something simply because you’re asked. If you do have a pet and “no pets” is listed in the lease, ask if they can make an exception and be willing to pay an additional deposit.
If you wish to make some slight modifications to the property, ask permission first. Respecting rules, and being agreeable, demonstrates you’re trustworthy and can be relied on to follow through on commitments.
Wrapping It All Up
At the end of the day, landlords are simply looking to keep their investment safe and locate someone who pays rent, abides by the rules, and respects their neighbors. They don’t want anyone who is perfect—they want reliability, respect, and responsibility. If you can demonstrate you’ve got those three, you’re already ahead of the majority of applicants.
So whether you’re applying for your first rental property or simply looking to get approved at your next place, keep this in mind: impressing a landlord is less about flash, and more about being somebody who can be relied on. Be yourself, be polite, and be prepared. It’s these things that truly impress people.
Helinika Staff