How Long Does It Take to Get Approved for an Apartment?

Securing an apartment often raises the question: how long does approval take? While there is no universal timeframe, understanding the steps involved and the factors that influence the duration can help manage expectations. The approval timeline depends on elements like the landlord’s review thoroughness and the completeness of an applicant’s submitted information.

General Approval Timeframes

Apartment application approval typically falls within a range of 24 to 72 hours. This timeframe can sometimes extend up to a week or longer depending on specific circumstances. While these averages provide a general expectation, several variables can cause the process to be shorter or significantly longer.

The Landlord’s Review Process

Landlords undertake a comprehensive review process to assess a prospective tenant’s suitability and financial reliability.

Credit check: Evaluates an applicant’s financial responsibility, payment history, and existing debt, providing insight into their likelihood of paying rent on time.
Background check: Screens for criminal history and eviction records, helping landlords ensure property and community safety.
Employment verification: Confirms an applicant’s income, job title, and employment stability, often requiring recent pay stubs, W2s, or an employment letter.
Rental history verification: Involves contacting previous landlords to confirm past addresses, payment habits, property care, and adherence to lease terms.
Identity verification: Ensures the applicant is who they claim to be, usually requiring a government-issued photo ID and Social Security Number or ITIN.

Common Causes of Delays

Several factors can prolong the apartment application approval timeline beyond the typical estimates.

Incomplete or inaccurate applications: Missing information, illegible handwriting, or incorrect contact details require follow-up. Failing to provide adequate proof of income, such as recent pay stubs or tax returns, can lead to holdups.
Unresponsive references: Delays from employers or previous landlords returning calls or documentation directly impact the process, as property management companies rely on these contacts.
High application volume: Especially during peak rental seasons, this can overwhelm leasing offices and extend review times due to increased demand.
Holidays or weekends: Submitting applications just before or during these times can result in delays, as many offices operate with reduced staff or are closed.
Complex applicant situations: Self-employment requiring more extensive income verification or unique rental histories may necessitate additional scrutiny and more time.

Steps Applicants Can Take

Applicants can proactively streamline their apartment application process to potentially accelerate approval.

Ensure the application is complete and accurate: Double-check all fields and provide all requested documents, such as recent pay stubs, bank statements, and identification.
Provide accessible contact information: Include direct phone numbers and emails for references, employers, and previous landlords, and notify them in advance.
Be responsive: Promptly reply to any requests for additional information from the leasing office.
Polite follow-up: After a reasonable amount of time, such as three business days, inquire about the status to ensure no further information is needed.
Address potential issues upfront: Offer a brief explanation or provide additional documentation for past credit challenges or unique circumstances.