RENTER’S GUIDE

We can’t stress how important it is to be fully prepared* before beginning your search for an apartment. The NYC apartment market is very fast-paced, don’t let a more prepared person snatch away your dream place; make sure to have the below documents/items ready to go before you go out and see any apartments.

Below are general guidelines and critical items needed to make securing your dream apartment as stress-free as possible. Keep in mind if you are using a guarantor (co-signer) you will likely need below information for them as well.

Job letter

Most New York landlords will not rent you an apartment without a job letter on a company letterhead stating the length of employment and salary. It’s essential that before you start your search for your rental apartment, you have a hard copy of your job letter. Please note: an offer letter is not a job letter but for new hires that will be accepted.

Paystubs

If you’re already working, you will need to provide copies of your two-four most recent paystubs.

Self Employed – Letter from your CPA (Certified Public Accountant)

If you (or your guarantor) are self-employed, you will need to provide a CPA letter stating the nature of your business, how long you have been in business and the annual income for that business.

Tax returns

It is important that you have the first page and the signature page of the last two year’s tax returns. New York landlords are typically looking for you to earn 40 times the monthly rent. This means if you’re looking at a $2000/month apartment, most landlords are going to want to see at least $80,000 in income. For guarantors, the owner typically wants to see an annual income of 80 times the monthly rent.

Bank statements

Landlords don’t always need to see a lot of assets, but they do want to see that you have a bank account in good standing. They’ll want to see a complete bank statement. This means if you have a six-page statement, best to provide all six pages.

Landlord Reference Letter

This letter would state how long you rented the apartment, the amount of rent you paid and the fact that you always paid your rent on time.

Photo ID

Make sure you have a copy of a valid driver’s license or passport.

Certified Checks

Most NYC landlords require the first months’ rent and security to be in the form of a BANK CERTIFIED CHECK. This is also true of the broker fee.

*Disclaimer - Every management company/landlord will want different paperwork, but these are a rule of thumb things to have.