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Fill out an application

This is step one. This will be needed by both apartment complexes and landlords.

Simply click the link to download the application. 

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Obtain a copy your credit report

With credit being the hub of most transactions these days, it's no surprise that its the first thing Florida landlords and owners ask about prospective tenants. So we will discuss this first. Typically your scores have to be at least a 640 to rent. If it's not, check our credit improvement section.

 

There are exceptions to everything. You could find a sympathetic owner on Craigslist, or rent from family until you hit 640. Or you could just pay half the year upfront. That sometimes works. Either way, many will require you provide them a copy of at least one recent credit report. You can get a FREE copy once a year here .

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Paystubs - 3 months

Landlords want proof you're not just blowing smoke about paying rent. Paycheck stubs are basically receipts that show you actually traded your precious time for that sweet, sweet cash. Think of it like proving you bought the fancy couch, not just that you dream of owning one.

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Bank Statements

Get ready for the dazzling world of financial drama! Bank statements and pay stubs are like dynamic duos, both screaming, "Hey, I've got cash!" Bank statements play the superhero with those paycheck deposits, so print out three months' worth from the online banking realm – you know, just to be safe.

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If your home lacks a computer, embark on a heroic quest to the public library. Print those financial gems but, and here's the plot twist, make a swift exit and log out. Because leaving your financial saga behind is so last season. Happy financial theater, adventurer!

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Driver’s License (Or Passport)

Make a copy of and bring your driver’s license with you when you tour homes or when you sit down to fill out an application. You will need to provide it as part of the application I turn in. The landlord will make a copy for his or her records. If you don’t have a license, a state ID or passport works too.

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A Recommendation

A recommendation tells the manager that you were a good tenant in rentals before.  A letter from the last landlord will help a great deal if you can get it. Most landlords will accept basic information about your last apartments, such as the property manager’s contact information, so that they can call.  But a few managers might ask you to provide letters of recommendation so they don’t have to do the work.

 

It’s a good idea to get one of these letters before moving from your current rental.  A referral letter that you were confident enough to ask for – and received – says a lot to a manager. 

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Vehicle Registration and Proof of Insurance

Why would a landlord need your vehicle info? If an apartment comes with a parking space, the landlord needs to know which cars belong on the property full time.  If a car appears to be abandoned, the manager needs to know which renter owns it. Some buildings / homes have a limited number of parking spaces per unit, so landlords want to make sure only the approved vehicles are in the lot or home.

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Social Security Number

Your parents may have warned you not to give out this precious nine-digit identification code, but you do have to provide it to a potential landlord. Property managers use this number to perform a credit check, to see whether or not you’re a good tenant. You shouldn’t have to provide a copy of your social security card, so memorize your number instead.

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12 month Rental History

Ah, the thrilling journey down rental memory lane! Retrieve the sacred scrolls of addresses, manager numbers, and the tales of your rental past. Sure, remembering is as challenging as recalling Grandma's last rant, but channel your inner Sherlock for the past 4 or 5 years.

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To simplify this epic quest, become the Spielberg of your renting saga. Craft a file, update it with each move, and amaze the leasing gods with your organized brilliance. Skip the form-filling and opt for the cinematic approach – who has time for paperwork drama anyway? Your rental history, the blockbuster we never knew we needed.

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References

Most applications have a section for references. You should have a mental list of both professional and personal references, in case the landlord wants both. Just make sure to ask the people you plan to use as references for their permission, since they’ll be receiving a call.

 

Choose established and responsible adults as your references. These references can come from businesses where you’ve worked, non-profits where you’ve volunteered, even your church. Your 20-year-old college dorm mate isn’t as reliable in the eyes of a landlord as your 40-year-old boss.

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Job History

Ah, the riveting tale of your job history – the places your soul has ventured for a paycheck. Keep this adulting survival kit close, documenting your current gig and a few past episodes of your thrilling career drama. Landlords, the financial fortune tellers, demand a peek into your job-hopping or stability prowess. Mastered the three-month hop? Congrats, your financial reliability is as solid as predicting a snow globe's weather.

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Clocking in for five years or more? Brace for landlord applause, apparently, that's the golden ticket to a stable 12-month apartment stint. And for the fresh retirees, don't even dream of dodging the job history inquisition. Retirement might sound sweet, but landlords want to revel in the glory days of your employment past, even if it was just 12 months ago. Here's to job history, the unsung hero of home applications!

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Do you have a housing choice program voucher (Sec 8),

Are homeless?

We understand that everyone's path to finding housing is unique. While our agency may have some limitations in participating with housing choice programs (Section 8) or directly assisting those experiencing homelessness, we're absolutely committed to helping you succeed in your search! Click Here. We got ya.

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Police Background Check

Landlords may not have CSI budgets, but they'll still dig up your life's juicy chapters via background checks. Time to get ahead of those skeletons! Rally over to the cops for your records, ready to bribe them with donuts (because of course proving you're a model citizen requires a pastry tax!)

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Got a rap sheet? Don't tiptoe around it like it's sentient sock puppet. Rental apps see criminal records as kryptonite, but radical honesty is your superpower! Fess up to any shenanigans with a magician's flair for the dramatic (hold the doves, please). Who knows, maybe your candid mea culpa will score you an "entertainer's discount" on that dream pad!

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If your present is a paragon of responsibility, let it outshine any outdated misadventures. With the right mix of owning your past gaffes and selling your current supreme tenantness, you just may end up the star of your very own "Felons to Leaseholders" sitcom. Hey, a former bandit can dream, right?

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Renters Insurance

While you might not be moving into your new rental just yet, securing renters insurance is a smart step to take sooner rather than later. This insurance acts as a safety net, protecting your belongings from unforeseen events like fire, theft, or vandalism. Even the most careful accidents can happen, and renters insurance can help replace damaged furniture, electronics, or clothing. Think of it as peace of mind knowing you'll have financial backing if the unexpected disrupts your new home. So, while you unpack the excitement of your new place, take a moment to explore renters insurance options – it's a small investment that can make a big difference.

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Money

Forget swords and sorcery, brave adventurer! The only quest you'll face in the rental realm involves wielding a checkbook (remember those things?). Prepare to battle mythical beasts like the Application Fee Dragon ($100!) and the Condo Association Kraken ($500, beware its tentacles!).

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These financial foes aren't our fault, oh valiant applicant, but fear not! Your checkbook is your magical shield, deflecting unexpected expenses like an CPA  deflects... well, taxes. Think of this as our pre-emptive strike against financial ambushes!

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So, how much loot can you need for a $1500/month rental? Buckle up, treasure hunter. Here is an example:

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• 2x Rent: First & last month's rent (prepare for double the dragon fire!) = $3,000

• Application Fee Dragon: Slay it with $150 (seriously, who even invented this beast?)

• Condo Association Kraken: This mythical beast may demand a $500 security deposit. This is only for Condo's and sometimes HOA's (don't get its tentacles tangled in your wallet!)

• Landlord's Security Deposit Dragon: Another $1,500 to appease this fire-breathing beast.

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Grand total for your epic quest? $5,150! Seems scary? Trust us, facing these fees unprepared is far more horrifying (think eviction notices and ramen dinners). Remember, this is an example. Not a rule. Apt Complexes have deeper pockets than individual owners and as such can offer discounts on the security deposit. BUT, they tend to be stricter on the credit scores. This list will prepare you are ANY place you are considering.

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So, dust off your trusty PayPal, Cash App, Zelle, or if you are over a certain age... CHECKBOOK. Then  channel your inner warrior, and charge into the battle of rental applications! Just remember, the only monsters you'll encounter are paperwork and fees, and with a sense of humor and preparation, you'll conquer them all. Now go forth, brave adventurer, and may your wallet or purse remain happily intact!​

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If you have read this far you must be serious about a rental. So, send your docs and application to Carroll@appflorida.com. We'll be your home-finding owl, hooting about perfect matches. Be the eagle that swoops in, ready to snatch your dream home before anyone else! Dominate the market, not the paperwork. Email now, win later! 

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