What should you not say when applying for an apartment?

Asked by: Vito Dooley  |  Last update: June 16, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (75 votes)

When applying for an apartment, you should not say you hate your landlord, plan disruptive activities (like parties or drug manufacturing), lie about your history, or reveal overly personal info like pregnancy or marital status unless adding a spouse to the lease; instead, be honest about your qualifications and reasons for moving, address credit issues proactively, and focus on being a responsible, quiet tenant.

What would get you denied for an apartment?

An apartment application can be denied due to ** poor credit, bad rental history (like evictions or bad references), insufficient income, a concerning criminal record, or simply incomplete/inaccurate application information**, as landlords screen for financial responsibility and reliability to ensure you'll pay rent and care for the property. Violating property rules (pets, smoking) or having too many occupants can also lead to rejection. 

What do landlords fear the most?

What Landlords Fear Most. We conducted a pre-Halloween survey where we asked the question, “What is the scariest part of being a landlord?” Of the options offered, ranging from tenant screening worries to foreclosures and finance, one area emerged as a strong concern: that a tenant would damage a rental unit.

What would make you fail an apartment inspection?

You can fail an apartment inspection due to major cleanliness issues, property damage (holes in walls, broken fixtures, damaged floors), pest infestations, non-functioning essential appliances or utilities (plumbing leaks, bad smoke detectors), or violating your lease (unauthorized pets, smoking, unapproved occupants). Safety hazards like unsecured handrails, faulty electrical outlets, and peeling paint (especially lead-based) are also common failure points. 

What not to put on a rental application?

Discrimination on a rental application

  1. The birthplace of the applicant.
  2. The sexual orientation of the applicant.
  3. Any disabilities that the applicant has.
  4. About the applicant's children.
  5. The religion of the applicant.

5 Ways To Rent An Apartment EVEN IF You Have Bad Credit or Have an Eviction on Your Record

19 related questions found

What will disqualify you from renting an apartment?

You can be disqualified from renting an apartment due to poor credit, insufficient income, past evictions, negative rental history, or a criminal record, with landlords looking for red flags like late payments, unpaid debts, property damage, or serious offenses like felonies. Other disqualifiers include falsifying your application, having too many occupants, issues with pets, or providing bad references. 

Can I afford $1000 rent making $20 an hour?

You likely can't comfortably afford $1,000 rent on $20/hour using the standard 30% rule (which suggests $960 max), as it leaves little for other essential bills, debt, and savings, especially after taxes and living in high-cost areas; you'd need closer to $40k/year ($3,333/month) or aim for much cheaper rent (under $800-$900) to use the 50/30/20 rule effectively, prioritizing needs over wants, says WalletHub and uhomes.com.

What are red flags in an apartment lease?

Red flags in an apartment lease include unclear terms, hidden fees (like excessive late fees or utility charges), unresponsive landlords, pressure to sign without reading, refusal to allow property tours (a potential scam sign), vague maintenance policies, disproportionate security deposit rules, or one-sided clauses for automatic renewal or early termination. Always ensure the lease is complete, transparent about costs, and details responsibilities for repairs and utilities before signing.
 

What is the first thing an inspector wants to see?

In most inspections, especially for businesses, the inspector first wants to see your records and paperwork, such as licenses, permits, compliance logs, and safety training documents, to establish a baseline understanding of operations. For a home inspection, they often start with the exterior (roof, foundation) to assess major structural and safety elements before moving inside. 

How to pass an apartment inspection?

Habitability & Safety

  1. Locks present.
  2. Sealed windows.
  3. Presence of functional egress window (if applicable to unit)
  4. Secure flooring, ceiling, & walls.
  5. Doors present, whole, & mobile.
  6. Unobstructed vents.
  7. Intact carpeting, tile, etc.
  8. Lack of pest, mold, or mildew infestations.

What kind of tenants do landlords look for?

A good tenant has a good credit report, with a sufficient income to afford every month's rent. This includes a history of timely payments, effective debt management, and maintaining a good credit score. A clean credit history shows a resident's capacity to meet financial responsibilities.

How to increase chances of getting approved for an apartment?

10 Rental Application Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting Approved

  1. Check Your Credit Score. ...
  2. Make Sure Your Rental Application is 100% Complete. ...
  3. Write a Cover Letter. ...
  4. Clean Up Your Social Media Pages. ...
  5. Choose Rental Properties Within Your Budget. ...
  6. Ask Previous Landlords for Recommendations.

Will apartments tell you if you're denied?

Yes, landlords generally must tell you if your apartment application is denied, especially if it's based on tenant screening reports, due to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) (FCRA) which requires an "Adverse Action Notice". This notice should explain the reason for denial (like a low credit score or background issue) and provide the screening company's contact info, allowing you to get a free report and dispute errors, though sometimes landlords might just say you weren't selected. 

Does everyone get approved for an apartment?

You can never 100% guarantee your apartment approval. However, there are some things you can do to majorly boost your application. Here are some items you can check off your list. Bring all the appropriate documents.

What are red flags during inspection?

Unsightly brown circles on the ceiling or trickling brown lines down a wall could be a big money pit red flag. If you find water stains during your home inspection, this might be a sign of a major roof leak, which can be very costly to repair.

What can make you fail an inspection?

Top 10 Reasons Vehicles Fail Inspection:

  • Improper First Aid Kit. ...
  • Driver and Front Passenger Door Window Tint. ...
  • Chips and Cracks in the Windshield. ...
  • Brakes. ...
  • Lights. ...
  • Worn Tires. ...
  • Engine/Transmission/Power Steering Fluid Leaks. ...
  • Vehicle Height.

What are the 4 points of inspection?

What is a 4-point inspection? The short answer is that it's a thorough examination of a house's condition that focuses on four major components: Electrical, plumbing, roofing, and the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

What is the 5 rule rent?

The "5% rule" in real estate is a guideline to compare buying versus renting a home, suggesting that if monthly rent for a comparable property is higher than 5% of the home's value divided by 12, buying might be better; conversely, if rent is lower, renting makes more financial sense, as the 5% covers annual costs like property taxes (1%), maintenance (1%), opportunity cost (3%), and insurance (0.5-1%). It helps determine if owning is too expensive compared to renting, by providing a break-even monthly cost for ownership.
 

What are 5 red flag symptoms?

Here's a list of seven symptoms that call for attention.

  • Unexplained weight loss. Losing weight without trying may be a sign of a health problem. ...
  • Persistent or high fever. ...
  • Shortness of breath. ...
  • Unexplained changes in bowel habits. ...
  • Confusion or personality changes. ...
  • Feeling full after eating very little. ...
  • Flashes of light.

What are the 5 criteria for lease?

The five criteria relates to a bargain purchase option, transfer of ownership, net present value of lease payments, economic life, and whether the asset is specialized.

What salary is $40 an hour?

$40 an hour is $83,200 per year ($40 x 40 hours x 52 weeks), which breaks down to about $1,600 weekly, roughly $6,933 monthly, and $3,200 bi-weekly, assuming a standard 40-hour workweek. 

Can you live alone making $17 hours?

To pay for your own medical, food, utilities and rent you need to be making like $25+ an hour if you want to live alone. Slightly less if you're living with someoene else who works but phone bills, internet and cars are basically no longer luxuries, and are now mandatory so those are other factors as well.

How is Gen Z affording rent?

The report, based upon a survey of 2,000 renters, found that 72% of Gen Z renters view renting as a smarter choice and better financial approach than homeownership. With that in mind, rental housing operators would be wise to cater efforts toward this subset, which largely views renting as more than a temporary option.