Once you’ve found the the place you are looking for, it isimportant to move quickly to secure the location. For this reason, I recommend you check your qualifications and have your necessary paperwork in order.

Credit – Your credit history will be checked as part of your rental application. If you don’t know what your credit score is, I recommend you use CreditKarma.com – a free way to check your TransUnion/Equifax credit score. Being prepared with this knowledge will prevent the stress of you having to make last minute accommodations like providing a guarantor or adding extra security, or even potentially not being approved. Building credit takes time, but CreditKarma.com can show you how to take the best long term steps to make yourself look better in the eyes of a landlord, bank, or any creditor you come across.

Income & Assets – Landlords typically require that you demonstrate you earn 40-50 times the monthly rent as your yearly income. They’ll often ask for this verification via a Letter of Employment or Pay Stub . Having these documents ready can really expedite your renting process.

I also recommend Mint.com to my clients for budgeting and determining how much they can afford to pay on rent. It’s a free and low maintenance way to keep track of your budget. By safely linking your checking accounts, savings accounts, and credit cards to your profile, Mint.com aggregates your financials for easy budgeting, record keeping, and decision making.

Housing – Many landlords in the city will require a former landlord reference. A written statement from your current landlord that says you were a good tenant, that you paid on time, and that they would rent to you again in the future adds terrific credibility to your application.