If you are considering renting an apartment for the first time, odds are that you have a lot of questions. At Le Rivage Luxury Apartments, we know all there is to know about apartment living. After all, we were voted Shreveport-Bossier’s best apartment complex! But before you call us home, you probably want some answers to all those questions running through your head. Which is better: an apartment or a house? What do you need to rent an apartment? What kind of amenities do I want in an apartment complex? Here at Le Rivage, we are ready to answer all of these questions for you and more.
What is an apartment application?
So, exactly what do you need to rent an apartment? Let’s start with the basics. To rent an apartment, the first thing you’ll need to do is complete an application. Apartment applications are essentially a screening process for your potential landlord. When you apply to live at an apartment, you and your roommate, if any, will need to complete rental applications. The application is a document, often a few pages long, that basically tells the landlord or property management company that you are responsible enough to pay your bills on time.
Along with the information you need to provide on the application (we’ll go in more detail later), you may need to pay an application fee as well. This fee shows the landlord or company that you are serious about your application. Application fees vary depending on the apartment complex to which you are applying, but they are generally around $50 or so.
Where can you find an apartment application?
The easiest way to access an apartment application would be through the property’s website. Most apartment complexes’ websites should at the very least provide an application that you can either print out or email. Even better, for properties like our own, you’re able to complete your Le Rivage apartment application virtually and submit it all through an online portal.
Le Rivage’s website provides an online leasing experience where you can shop and customize your apartment, apply, and sign all your documents in just a few easy steps. You’re able to browse our nine open floor plans, check apartment availability, select your lease terms, and get a pricing quote. All of this is accessible through our “Contact Us” tab via the Le Rivage home page.
If online apartment shopping isn’t your thing, you can also meet with a leasing agent in person. We can’t speak for every apartment complex out there, but most of them should have a leasing office on or near their property where you can request an application. Most leasing agents will propose available units, give you a quote on what you can expect to pay, and give you a tour of the property and a model apartment.
Everyone has their own preferences, and at Le Rivage, we want you to do whatever is most comfortable for you when it comes to finding and submitting a rental application.
What information do you need for an apartment application?
There are many questions to ask when looking to rent an apartment. When you ask the question “What do you need to rent an apartment?”, you’re probably inquiring about what information you’ll need to provide on your application. An apartment application may require quite a bit of personal information. This is simply for the landlord or property manager to ensure you will be a trustworthy tenant.
Here is what you may need for your apartment application:
- Contact information: name, phone number, email address, etc.
- Personal identification: driver’s license or state ID
- Proof of income: pay stubs or tax returns
- Social security number
- Address: current and previous addresses and landlord’s contact information
- Employment information: current and previous employer, job title, and company phone number
- Vehicle information (for parking space): make, model, year, license plate number, insurance information
- Personal references
- Emergency contact information
Once you submit your application, your leasing agent should tell you how long you can expect to wait for review and approval. This generally happens within a week or two. If they do accept you as a tenant, you would then move forward with your leasing agreement.
How do I pay rent, and what happens if I don’t pay on time?
Gone are the days where rent is paid via a pen and checkbook. Unless you still prefer to pay through checks, that is! Nowadays, though, most people opt for the online payment option. Just like how you can apply for an apartment on the property’s website, you can typically pay rent that way, too.
Most complexes will send out a reminder email on the due date that includes the link to pay rent. Simply type in your credit card information and submit it through the online portal and you’re good to go.
At Le Rivage of Bossier, we are no stranger to late rent payments. We understand that things happen and sometimes you just need a few extra days to get your funds together. Especially during times like these, we get that things may be a little tight financially. That’s why we’ll do everything we can to work with you.
Most apartment complexes allow a few days before rent is technically late. After rent does become late, though, you may be hit with an additional fee. If you know you’re going to be late, reach out to your landlord and let them know. Odds are, once you explain your situation, they will cut you some slack and give you extra time. If you can afford to, offer to pay some of your rent then and the rest at a later date.
Generally, only when a tenant completely misses rent and refuses to pay will serious consequences occur. If this is the case, the tenant may face eviction from the apartment. This is a last resort measure, as no landlord wants to have to go through the eviction process. But as long as you communicate with them and eventually put forth rent money, you shouldn’t need to worry about that.
What is the minimum credit score to rent an apartment?
A person’s credit score definitely comes into play when it comes to renting an apartment. This score acts as a summary of a person’s credit history and can inform the landlord of their creditworthiness. The number falls on a scale of 300 to 850. 300 indicates an extremely poor score, while 850 represents an exceptional score. The average score is typically somewhere around 680-750.
A credit score is based on your credit history. The length of your credit history, the number of open accounts you have, your repayment history, and the amount of credit debt you have all contribute to it. This is why landlords and property management companies want to see your credit score before accepting you. They want to know how trustworthy you are with your other lenders and creditors before they take you on as a tenant.
There is no single score that all applicants must meet to get an apartment. The number varies from complex to complex. Landlords are able to set the minimum credit score at whatever they’d like. On average, this number falls somewhere between the mid 600’s and may go up to even 700. It all depends on what the landlord is willing to accept from his or her tenants. It is likely, though, that someone with a poor or exceptionally low credit score may not meet the requirements to rent an apartment.
Live With Us at Le Rivage
We hope we answered your question: What do you need to rent an apartment? If you have any more concerns or are simply wondering where to start in your apartment journey, our staff at Le Rivage Luxury Apartments would be happy to help. You can visit our website or even give us a call at 318-257-6922 to learn more. We hope to see you soon!
