Everything You Need to Bring to a Lease Signing

Congratulations! The apartment you found on Apartments.com is just about yours, and the last step is signing the lease for your new home. The day you sign your lease can be busy, so bringing necessary documents can help the process go smoothly. This article covers the documents you may need to sign an apartment lease, why they’re important, and what landlords may review before approving your rental application.

What Do You Need to Sign a Lease?

There are multiple documents you need to make your lease signing official. Employment information, bank statements, and identification are just a couple of those items. Before the day of your lease signing, ask your landlord or property manager which documents you may need to provide. These may include:

• Photo identification
• Proof of renters insurance
• Move-in payment (check or money order)
• Vehicle registration

Photo identification 

You may need to provide a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or valid passport, during the rental application or lease-signing process. A landlord or property manager may use this documentation to verify your identity.

Proof of renters insurance 

Many communities and rental agencies will require a tenant to show they’ve bought renters insurance. This is to protect you and your belongings in case of damage from a natural disaster. Depending on the community you choose, some will have their own renters insurance policy that you can sign up for when you sign your lease. Other communities require you to have your own third-party insurance. Remember, this is usually another monthly cost, so be prepared to budget for this cost in addition to other monthly payments.

Move-in payment 

Ask which payment methods your landlord or property manager accepts before your lease signing. You may need to pay your first month’s rent, security deposit, or other required move-in costs. Accepted methods of payment can vary by property, so verify whether you need a check, money order, online payment, or another form of payment.

Vehicle registration and information

Some apartments, especially in large cities, may have a limited number of parking spaces. These properties may assign residents a marked parking space for their vehicle or have a designated parking lot or garage. If you’re renting from a property with limited parking, you may be asked to provide your vehicle registration number, or your car’s make, model, color, and license plate for parking registration purposes. 

Documents You May Need Before Signing a Lease

Some documents may be requested earlier in the rental process to verify information on your application. Your landlord or property manager may ask for the following documents during the rental application process or before you sign a lease:

• Proof of employment or income
• List of past addresses
• Letters of reference

Proof of employment or income 

A landlord or property manager may ask for proof of income as part of the rental application or lease-signing process. This documentation can help verify that you meet the property’s income requirements. Common forms of proof of income may include:

1. Recent pay stubs or bank statements
2. Offer of employment letter (for new hires)
3. Income tax returns (for self-employed renters)

List of past addresses

A landlord or property manager may request a list of your previous residences. Be sure to include your former community or property name, its address, and the name and phone number of your previous landlords or property managers. Provide the number of previous addresses requested on the application.

A landlord or property manager may use this information to verify your rental history or contact previous rental properties. Be sure the information you provide is accurate and up to date.

Letters of reference 

Some landlords or properties may request one or more references as part of the application process. If references are required, ask the landlord or property manager what types of references they accept and what information they should include. Make sure each requested letter is dated and signed by the person who wrote it.

Apartment Lease Requirements: What Landlords Look For

Before you get approved to sign a lease, landlords will require you to share certain information that proves you are a reliable tenant. Credit information, bank statements, and a background and rental check will be conducted and analyzed before a lease for the unit is generated.

Landlords require prospective tenants to share bank statements to ensure that the tenant has enough income to cover first month’s rent, the security deposit, and other move-in costs. In addition, the landlord will pull your credit report to analyze if you have credit and if this credit falls in a good range. Usually, landlords look for a credit score above 600, but this can vary by market and property type. This information is analyzed to ensure you can be relied upon to pay your monthly rent on time. 

If you have rented in the past, landlords may review your rental history or contact previous rental properties as part of the screening process. Some landlords may also conduct background checks. These background checks usually include your credit history. Landlords will inform prospective tenants if a background check is to be conducted.

Find Your Next Home on Apartments.com

If you’re looking for your next rental, start your search on Apartments.com. You can filter available apartments by price, location, amenities, and size to help narrow your options and find a rental that fits your needs.

This article was originally published on October 16, 2017 by Lauren Ross and has been updated.