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The Daily Insight

How can I increase my chances of getting an apartment?

Author

James Craig

Published Mar 10, 2026

Here are five tips for improving your chances of securing the apartment you’re looking for.

  1. Establish a Solid Credit Score. Credit scores reflect your history of paying bills on time.
  2. Make Sure You Have Renters Insurance.
  3. Be Prepared to Pay a Security Deposit.
  4. Ask if Pets are Allowed.
  5. Screen Roommates Carefully.

Why does it take so long to get approved for an apartment?

So why exactly does a rental application typically take so long? The answer lies in the three main components of the process. There are two items that need to be verified – your rental history and your employment and income. In order to do that, a property manager will send forms to your current landlord and employer.

How do you write a rejection letter for an apartment?

Dear [Name of Applicant], Thank you for applying to rent the property at [Rental Property Address]. We regret to inform you that your rental application has been denied due to the following reason(s): [e.g. insufficient income, low credit score, owner chose another applicant, negative rental history, etc.].

How can I build my credit fast when I have none?

3 things you should do if you have no credit history

  1. Become an authorized user. One of the simplest ways to build credit is by becoming an authorized user on a family member or friend’s credit card.
  2. Apply for a secured credit card.
  3. Get credit for paying monthly utility and cell phone bills on time.

Can I get an apartment with a 580 credit score?

While a FICO credit score from 580-669 is considered fair credit, 620 is often the minimum credit score you’ll need to rent an apartment. And if you have a credit score lower than 580, which is considered poor or bad credit, you will likely find it very difficult to rent an apartment.

Is 700 a good credit score?

For a score with a range between 300 and 850, a credit score of 700 or above is generally considered good. A score of 800 or above on the same range is considered to be excellent. Most consumers have credit scores that fall between 600 and 750.