Renting an apartment is equal parts exciting and stressful. Of course, there’s joy in setting up a new place and starting the next chapter of your life. But finding that place and navigating the rental application process can be exhausting.
How long does an application for an apartment take? Is there anything you can do to speed up your application processing? When do you know it’s time to apply elsewhere?
While the application process and timeline can vary, knowing what to expect takes some of the uncertainty and anxiety away.
Here’s everything you need to know about how long apartment applications take and what follows after the application is processed.
The Short Answer: Typical Apartment Application Timelines
Whether you apply for a listing online or contact the landlord/property manager directly, most rental applications are processed within 1-3 business days.
The timeline can, however, range from a few hours to 7-10 days, depending on the number of applicants and the completeness of your application.
Background checks and screening can also affect how long a rental application takes. For properties using automated screening tools, the median processing time is 24-72 hours. Properties that run these steps manually will take longer.
Similarly, smaller private landlords typically take longer to approve rental applications than established property management companies.
Instead of stressing over how long the application will take, it helps to know what happens during the waiting period.
Better still, it enables you to take precautionary steps to speed up the application and maximize your chances of getting approved.
What Happens After You Submit an Apartment Application
Once you complete your rental application and pay the fee, you get a receipt confirming your submission. The next step is a screening report run during which the landlord or property manager reviews your credit score, eviction history, and employment status.
They may contact your previous landlord to verify whether you adhered to lease terms, paid rent on time, and maintained the property well. Likewise, they could reach out to your current or previous employer to assess your financial situation and work ethic.
While the initial screening steps are often automated, most landlords perform background checks manually. Some properties also review multiple applicants at the same time and select the strongest one, which can lengthen the application timeline.
After successful verification, the leasing team lets you know the decision. If your application is approved, they guide you on the next steps for lease preparation and signing.
Day-by-Day: A Realistic Application Timeline
Instead of wondering “how long does an application for an apartment take?” knowing what happens during the waiting period makes it less overwhelming.
Here’s what a typical day-by-day timeline looks like:
- Day 0: You submit the rental application online or directly to the landlord/property manager and pay the required application fee.
- Day 1-2: The leasing team reviews your application and initiates the screening report. This step usually takes about 30 minutes.
- Day 2-4: During this period, the landlord or property manager contacts your references, such as a previous landlord and current/prior employer, to assess your suitability as a tenant. This is typically the most time-consuming step, and delayed responses from references can slow things further.
- Day 4-5: The landlord or property manager communicates their decision. If your application is approved, they will start drafting the lease.
- Day 5-7: Both parties sign the lease. You pay the security deposit and/or first month’s rent and schedule a move-in date.
What Slows Down an Apartment Application
Most delays in rental application timelines happen during the background verification stage. If your employer, HR manager, or prior landlords don’t respond to verification calls on time, it’ll slow down your application.
Discrepancies between your application and screening report also cause delays. These include a mismatch in your legal name, current address, and income status.
Missing crucial documents, such as pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of employment, can also stall your application.
But apart from these, it’s also essential to know that sometimes delays can also occur due to harmless reasons.
For instance, if you submit your application on a Friday afternoon, the landlord may only check it on Monday. Similarly, public holidays and end-of-month volume spikes can slow things down.
If multiple tenants apply for the same unit, it’ll take longer to review each application, create screening reports, and run background checks. So, the timelines could be longer for high-demand properties.
How to Speed Up Your Apartment Application
You can’t control how long an application for an apartment will take, but you can take proactive steps to minimize delays.
For starters, submit a complete application with accurate details like full name, address, and SSN. Remember to include all the necessary documents, such as:
- Pay stubs for the last 2-3 months
- Bank statement
- Tax returns
- Prior landlord’s contact details
- Employer or HR manager’s contact details
Pay the application fee immediately, so that the process doesn’t pause due to non-payment. Next, let your employer and former landlord know that they’ll get a verification call from a prospective landlord or leasing team. It helps ensure a timely response from your references.
If possible, use an online application portal to submit your application and documents. These are typically faster than offline applications. Lastly, always be reachable by phone, so that the leasing team can contact you in case of any questions.
How to Follow Up Without Being Annoying
Waiting for a rental application to be approved isn’t easy. You’d want clarity on when and where to move. However, too many follow-ups can hurt your candidacy.
Ideally, once you submit your application, wait until the third business day. If you don’t hear from the landlord or leasing team by then, reach out to them for an answer.
Use email for the first follow-up, as it creates a record of communication and makes it easier for the other party to reply. Maintain a friendly tone, and keep the messaging to the point.
Sample template:
Hi[Name],
I hope you’re well.
Just checking on the status of my application for [address], submitted [date]
Regards,
[Your Name]If you still don’t get a response by day 5, call the leasing office and ask for an update.
What “Waiting for Apartment Application Approval” Usually Means
If you’ve been waiting for an apartment application approval for some time, it’s natural to assume the worst.
But here’s the thing: no news isn’t usually bad news.
Leasing teams typically communicate denials faster than approvals, so if you don’t hear from them for a while, there’s a solid chance they’re still reviewing your application.
A longer waiting period can also be the result of multiple, concurrent applicants. The landlord may need time to screen each application and run the background verification. They may not respond until they’ve finished reviewing all applications.
How can you use this period to your advantage? Find and apply for a second property, so that you have a backup in case the first one falls through.
When to Walk Away and Apply Elsewhere
While there’s no definite answer to “how long does an application for an apartment take,” waiting indefinitely isn’t smart. The last thing you’d want is to miss out on other properties while waiting to hear from the leasing team.
Competitive markets reward applicants who keep multiple options open, so waiting too long for approval will work against you.
So, how do you know when it’s time to walk away?
The most obvious red flag is a landlord who isn’t transparent about decision timelines. A good landlord will have a clear and specific answer when you reach out for an update.
Ask for a written timeline before paying the application fee. That way, if you don’t get a response by a specified date, you can move on.
Other warning signs include:
- No response after 7-10 days despite multiple follow-ups.
- Unusual fee requests (typical rental application fees range from $25 to $100).
- Off-platform payment requests.
- Refusal to do an in-person tour.
After Approval: What Happens Next
If things work in your favor and your application is approved, the leasing team will walk you through the next steps.
These typically include:
- Lease signing
- Security deposit payment
- Move-in date scheduling
- Utility setup
- Renter’s insurance purchase
Remember that many landlords give 5-7 days after approval to sign the lease. If you don’t sign within that period, they’ll re-open the property to other applicants.
If you’re interested in multiple properties, monitoring applications and approvals can be challenging. In the worst-case scenario, you may miss out on an excellent deal because you didn’t check its status sooner.
Using an online tool like Rentler’s application tracker can help avoid these scenarios. You can track multiple in-progress applications in one place, which minimizes delays and confusion.
Whether you applied online or in person, avoid rushing through the lease signing. Take your time to read the lease terms thoroughly. Pay close attention to clauses covering payment timelines, maintenance, and lease renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apartment Application Timelines
Why is my apartment application taking so long?
Apartment application timelines can stretch to 7-10 business days. Delays can happen due to incomplete or inaccurate applications, missing documents, or unresponsive references. If you don’t hear from the leasing team even after 10 days, assume that your application wasn’t approved and start looking for other properties.
Can I get an apartment approved in 24 hours?
Rental applications take at least 1-3 business days for processing. You can speed things up by submitting the application at the start of the week, including all the necessary information and documents, and paying the application fee upfront.
Also, inform your employer and prior landlord about a potential verification call. While this doesn’t guarantee approval within 24 hours, it can help reduce unnecessary delays.
How long does a background check take for an apartment?
Tenant background checks usually take 24-72 hours. The timeline can be longer for applicants with low credit scores, criminal records, or eviction history. Employers and former landlords can also delay the process by not answering verification calls on time.
Is no news bad news?
When it comes to rental apartment applications, no news isn’t always bad news. Leasing teams communicate denials faster, which means if you haven’t heard from them, they’re still reviewing your application. But if they don’t respond within 7-10 days despite multiple follow-ups, it’s safe to assume that your application wasn’t approved.
Can I apply for multiple apartments at once?
Yes, of course. In competitive markets, tenants benefit from applying for multiple properties. Even if one application falls through, you can count on backup applications to find an apartment quickly.
What does “pending” mean on my apartment application?
A pending apartment application status indicates that the landlord or property manager hasn’t made their decision yet. In other words, they’re still reviewing your application and may respond to you in a few days.
