How Rental History Impacts your Rental Application

How Your Rental History and References Impact Your Application: A Comprehensive Guide

In the competitive Ontario rental market, your rental history and references can be the deciding factors in securing your desired property. At LSK Property Management, we’ve seen firsthand how these elements influence landlords’ decisions. Let‘s dive deep into the importance of your rental profile and how to present it effectively.

The Crucial Role of Rental History

Your rental history is a landlord’s window into your reliability as a tenant. It typically encompasses:

1. Payment Record:
   • Consistency in on-time payments
   • History of late payments or defaults
   • Rent-to-income ratio from previous rentals
2. Length of Tenancies:
   • Duration of previous rentals
   • Frequency of moves
   • Reasons for leaving previous rentals
3. Property Care:
   • Maintenance of previous rental properties
   • Any reported damages beyond normal wear and tear
   • Cleanliness and upkeep habits
4. Lease Compliance:
   • Adherence to lease terms and conditions
   • Any reported lease violations
   • History of subletting or unauthorized occupants

The Verification Process

Landlords and property managers employ various methods to verify rental history:

1. Contacting Previous Landlords:
   • Direct communication about your tenancy
   • Questions about payment habits, property care, and overall conduct
   • Verification of lease terms and duration
2. Reviewing Rental Applications:
   • Cross-referencing information across multiple applications
   • Checking for consistency in reported rental history
   • Identifying any gaps or discrepancies in housing history
3. Credit Checks:
   • Examining credit reports for rental-related entries
   • Identifying any collections or judgments from previous landlords
   • Assessing overall financial responsibility
4. Public Records Search:
   • Checking for any eviction records
   • Verifying addresses and residency dates

The Power of References

References provide additional context and credibility to your rental application:

1. Landlord References:
   • Often considered the most valuable
   • Provide direct insight into your behavior as a tenant
   • Can speak to your reliability, cleanliness, and overall conduct
2. Professional References:
   • Employers can vouch for your stability and responsibility
   • Long-term employment suggests financial stability
   • Professional character references can speak to your reliability
3. Personal References:
   • While less impactful, they can speak to your character
   • Choose references who can attest to your reliability and responsibility
   • Avoid using family members as personal references

Strategies for Presenting a Strong Rental History

1. Maintain Positive Landlord Relationships:
   • Communicate openly and professionally with current and past landlords
   • Address any issues promptly and courteously
   • Request feedback during your tenancy to address any concerns
2. Document Your Good Standing:
   • Keep records of all rent payments
   • Maintain copies of lease agreements and any correspondence
   • Request written statements of good standing when leaving a rental
3. Address Past Issues Proactively:
   • Be upfront about any past rental issues
   • Prepare explanations for any negative history
   • Demonstrate how you’ve resolved past problems and grown from the experience
4. Build a Rental Resume:
   • Create a document summarizing your rental history
   • Include dates, addresses, landlord contact information, and rent amounts
   • Highlight positive aspects of your tenancy (e.g., long-term residency, property improvements)

Overcoming Challenges in Rental History

1. Limited Rental History:
   • For first-time renters, emphasize other reliability factors:
     • Employment stability
     • Strong credit history
     • Savings or assets
   • Consider offering a larger security deposit if allowed
   • Provide character references from employers or mentors
2. Negative Rental History:
   • Be honest about past issues
   • Provide context and explain how circumstances have changed
   • Offer additional security (e.g., co-signer, larger deposit) if possible
   • Show evidence of improved financial situation or behavior
3. Gaps in Rental History:
   • Explain any gaps (e.g., living with family, studying abroad)
   • Provide documentation to support your explanation
   • Emphasize current stability and reliability

Choosing and Preparing References

1. Selecting the Right References:
   • Choose individuals who can speak positively about your reliability
   • Prioritize professional references over personal ones
   • Ensure your references are easily reachable
2. Preparing Your References:
   • Inform them that they may be contacted
   • Provide context about the rental you’re applying for
   • Remind them of specific positive experiences or traits they can mention
3. Providing Clear Contact Information:
   • Include full names, relationship to you, phone numbers, and email addresses
   • Verify that all contact information is current and accurate

The Impact of Social Media on Rental Applications

In today’s digital age, your online presence can influence your rental application:

1. Social Media Screening:
   • Some landlords may check social media profiles
   • Ensure your online presence aligns with the image of a responsible tenant
   • Review privacy settings on your social media accounts
2. Online Reviews and Ratings:
   • Be aware of any online reviews you’ve left for previous landlords or properties
   • Consider the impact of your digital footprint on your rental application
3. Professional Online Presence:
   • A professional LinkedIn profile can positively influence landlords
   • Online portfolios or professional websites can demonstrate stability and responsibility

Legal Considerations in Ontario

Understanding your rights during the application process is crucial:

1. Ontario Human Rights Code:
   • Familiarize yourself with protected grounds against discrimination
   • Understand what questions landlords can and cannot ask
2. Privacy Laws:
   • Know your rights regarding the collection and use of personal information
   • Understand what information landlords are allowed to request and verify
3. Residential Tenancies Act:
   • Be aware of your rights and responsibilities as a tenant
   • Understand the legal framework governing landlord-tenant relationships in Ontario

The Role of Property Management Companies

Professional property management companies like LSK Property Management can impact the application process:

1. Standardized Screening Processes:
   • Often have more rigorous and consistent screening procedures
   • May use specialized tenant screening software
2. Objective Evaluation:
   • Less likely to be influenced by personal biases
   • Focus on quantifiable factors in rental history and references
3. Broader Market Perspective:
   • Have experience with a wide range of tenant profiles
   • Can often provide more context to your rental history

Conclusion

Your rental history and references are powerful tools in securing your desired rental property. By understanding their importance, presenting them effectively, and addressing any challenges proactively, you can significantly enhance your chances of approval in the competitive Ontario rental market. Remember, honesty and transparency are key. A well-presented rental history, combined with strong references, not only increases your chances of approval but also sets the foundation for a positive landlord-tenant relationship. At LSK Property Management, we’re committed to fair and thorough tenant screening. For more information on our rental application process or to explore available properties, visit our tenant resources page or contact us directly for personalized assistance in navigating the rental application process.