Once you’ve decided on one or more potential rentals that you would like to live in, it’s time to submit some rental applications!
What is a Rental Application?
A rental application is a collection of information that you must submit to a landlord or rental agency to be considered as a possible tenant. Most rental applications require multiple forms of government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license, birth certificate, tribal ID, etc.), proof of income (pay stubs and any scholarship or grant award letters), employment verification (if applicable), rental history and references, and authorization to run a credit check. If your application requires cosigners, you will likely be asked to provide similar information about your cosigner(s) (see our cosigners tab for more information). If you are fresh out of the dorms, it is likely that your only prior rental contact would be Western! If this is the case, list the WWU Housing Business Office (360-650-3744 housing.business@wwu.edu) as your prior landlord.
Okay, My Rental Application is Ready. Now What?
After gathering everything necessary for your rental application, refer to the rental agencies website to find out how to submit your rental application. Most rental agencies have an online portal to submit rental applications, but some ask you to email their leasing specialist. When submitting your rental application, most rental agencies will charge a rental application fee, a processing fee that the rental agency uses to conduct a screening of you, the potential renter. Everyone in your party (roommates and cosigners included!) is required to pay a rental application fee to be considered for tenancy). Rental application fees range from $35-$75 and are non-refundable (i.e. these fees will not be returned if you are denied tenancy).
Holding Fees
I Submitted My Rental Application and Paid the Fee. Now What?
Now, it’s time to wait. Rental application screenings can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, but there’s a few things you should do in the meantime:
1. Stay In Communication with Your Rental Agency.
Often times, the rental agency will ask even more questions after you submit your rental application, such as how many cars will be parked at the property, who the primary contact of your party is, etc. Make sure to respond to these inquiries quickly to speed up your rental application process and check in on the progress of your application every few days.
2. Make a List of Other Rentals to Apply To
There’s always the chance that your rental application is denied. So, while it’s hard to put up that rental application fee to multiple places before hearing back, it’s always a good idea to get a list of other possible rentals for you to consider. (Tip: some rental agencies will waive the application fee for a rental if you’ve already paid a rental application fee from another rental under the same agency!)
3. Make a Tier List of the Rentals You Are Applied To
If you are applying to multiple rentals simultaneously, you may be accepted for multiple rentals and be presented with multiple leases to choose from! Most rental agencies give you a short window to sign or refuse a lease once you are eligible to sign, so it’s a good idea to know which leases you are willing to risk losing and which ones you’re willing to wait to hear back on.
I Got Approved for a Lease! What’s Next?
Congrats! Check out our leasing page for info on reading and signing a lease.