How to Improve Your Rental History
Do you ever feel like your rental history is secretly sabotaging your future? Rental applications can often go one way or the other precisely because of this.
But here’s the good news: you’ve got more leverage than you think. Let’s talk about how to turn that ‘meh’ history into a glowing report card.
Audit Yourself Before They Do
Before you can impress your future landlord, you need to know what story your rental history is telling. Think of it as your resume—it should show you in your best light, not leave room for confusion or old baggage.
Start by getting a detailed rental history report from a reputable screening service. This document is what landlords often see before they ever meet you, so it’s worth knowing exactly what’s in there.
Then, go over it with a fine-tooth comb and flag anything that looks off. Mistakes happen more often than you’d think, and fixing them quickly can save you a lot of trouble down the line when you start hunting for a new home.
You should also keep a record of past landlords and leases. That way, if there’s ever a dispute or a gap in your timeline, you’ll have receipts.
While you’re at it, brush up on your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. Knowing the law will help you navigate tricky situations and show landlords you’re not going to be a headache.
Reach Out to Previous Landlords
We get it. Nobody enjoys pinging their old landlord. However, like it or not, their word can carry weight, so it’s worth making sure they have something good to say.
If things ended on decent terms, reach out and have a quick chat. Ask how they’d describe your time as a tenant. You might get helpful feedback or at least reassurance that you weren’t the problem.
Also, don’t be shy to ask for a reference. Especially if you paid rent on time, kept the place tidy, or even hired exit bond cleaning services. Those little details can paint you as a dream tenant.
Had a rocky experience? It doesn’t have to follow you forever. Clearing the air or tying up loose ends can go a long way. If there were misunderstandings or unresolved issues, address them now, not while you’re mid-application.
And when speaking with a new landlord, don’t hesitate to explain any red flags upfront. When you explain things clearly and calmly, you show that you’re responsible, honest, and not afraid to own up to your history.
Last but not least, if you’re brand new to renting, you can instead get references from employers, teachers, or volunteer supervisors.
Pay Rent on Time
It sounds obvious, but paying your rent on time is one of the easiest ways to keep your rental history squeaky clean. It’s also one of the fastest tricks to earn your landlord’s trust and avoid tense emails with subject lines like ‘Guess What’s Due Again?’
To keep things under control, set up automatic payments. They will save you from that sudden jolt of panic when you realise it’s the third and your rent was due two days ago.
Also, try to build your budget with rent as a non-negotiable to make your money stretch further and keep late fees from eating into your snacks budget.
If you hit a rough patch, don’t go radio silent. Instead, talk to the property manager early. You’re far more likely to work out a temporary solution if you ask before it becomes a bigger issue.
Build Goodwill That Follows You
Your current landlord can make or break your next rental application. In fact, their reference can tip your next application from ‘maybe' to ‘sign here’ more than any cover letter ever could.
The best way to keep that door open is to communicate clearly and calmly before things go sideways.
If something breaks, say something. Whether it’s a leaky plumbing or a broken heater, reporting issues early shows you care about the place and aren’t waiting for disaster to strike.
Also, bring up the lease before it sneaks up on you. Waiting until the last week to have this chat just invites confusion, panic, or a surprise inspection you didn’t ask for.
And don’t rely on memory, either. Remember that casual agreement about staying an extra month? Get it in writing. Hallway chats don’t hold up when things get messy.
Improve Your Credit Score
Landlords love a good credit score. It tells them you’re organised, dependable, and unlikely to vanish mid-lease with unpaid rent and a mysterious dent in the wall.
Start by checking your credit report. Go over it like you’re hunting for typos on a resume, because one small error could make you look a riskier option than you actually are.
If you have old debts hanging around, clear them as soon as possible. Every payment will chip away at the stress and add another tick in the responsible adult column.
In any case, you shouldn’t apply for too much new credit at once, as frequent checks can hurt your score. And if you’re just starting out, consider a low-limit credit card you can pay off in full each month.
Another trick is to add your rental payments to your credit report through a reporting service. Not all landlords do it automatically, but when reported, those on-time payments can give your score a much-needed boost.
Finally, if your score is in rough shape, don’t panic, since a financial advisor can easily help you work out a plan. It’s less about being perfect and more about proving you’re on top of things and won’t treat rent as an optional suggestion.
Conclusion
Your rental history isn’t set in stone. So, go on, polish it up, own your narrative, and make future landlords chase you.
Trust us, you’ll be the tenant who makes the shortlist before they’ve even read the cover letter. And when the right place pops up, you’ll be ready to pounce, no second-guessing involved.
