How Long Does an Apartment Rental Application Take?

Most people start looking for a new apartment on a reasonably short timeline. You typically only have a couple of months between discovering you need to move and the time that you need a new lease. For some, you only have a few weeks to secure a new apartment before move-out day in your current place. So, if you're wondering how long an apartment rental application takes, you're not alone. Many people feel the need to rush the process and worry over applications until they get an answerback. At Olympik Village Apartments, we understand that you might be in a hurry. We're here to provide a few helpful answers regarding how long it takes to get an apartment application approved.

How Long Does a Rental Application Take?

15 Minutes to 3 Hours

Filling out the apartment application can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the application and your own readiness. Apartment applications want a lot of information, and you will need to look up some of the details. You may also be required to attach a few documents like a pay stub or bank statement showing you earn 2.5 to 3 times the monthly rent and also add a copy of your ID to the application.

These details help the property management company screen your application quickly and get back to you as soon as possible.

Strategies to Speed Up Your Application Process

Prepare Your Paperwork

Have your personal and financial paperwork ready. Have a digital or printed copy of your proof of income, a clear photo of your ID, and any relevant personal records in a folder or saved on your phone when you start the application. This will make it faster and easier to fill out the information and attach/email whatever needs to be attached.

Know Your Personal Details

Memorize your personal details like your social security number and the addresses of your previous homes. Having a cheat sheet prepared in advance can help make your apartment application process a breeze.

Have Your Roommates Ready

If there will be other adults sharing the house with you, they will likely also need to submit an application so that they can be checked and added to the lease. Make sure your roommates are equally ready to do their part of the application.

How Long Does Apartment Approval Take?

2 to 14 days

It usually takes a little time to process apartment rental applications before they can be approved. This can take two days to two weeks, reasonably, and longer if there is a major backlog of applications to process. On average the approval process takes just 2 or 3 days.

Your apartment manager is going to run a background check, credit check, and rental history check on every adult resident of the house. The background check process can take up to two days. Contacting applicant references can also take time, but these tasks can happen simultaneously. Your apartment manager will then need to confirm your income, which can take a few hours, and screen each additional roommate. When this process is complete, you will hear back about your rental application. When you go to tour the apartment or reach out to the apartment community, it's a great question to ask what the usual turnaround time is and how soon you should hear back after your application is complete.

Knowing How Long to Wait for an Answer

When you apply for an apartment, you can ask the office how long application approvals typically take. They will likely give you a time window that is fairly accurate. One of the advantages of a routine approval process is that it usually takes about the same amount of time to screen and approve each application.

Asking can also gain you some additional insight. The person you talk to may give you some clues about the number of apartments that are currently available, whether there are vacancies or a waiting list, and if one floor plan over another has a better move-in time for you.

Meeting the Property Manager

After your application is approved, there may be a final interview with the property manager. Scheduling this meeting may represent the final delay before you sign the lease and set your move-in date.

This is your opportunity to look over the lease and ask for anything special before both parties sign. Make sure you like the lease terms. If you have a pet, confirm the associated costs with bringing them along. If you have any questions, get them answered now.

Explore Olympik Village Apartments in Rochester, MN

If you are looking for a new apartment in Rochester, MN, Olympik Village is a welcoming community with a variety of floorplans to choose from. We also have a streamlined application screening and approval process so you won't have to wait too long to hear back after applying for one of our lovely homes. Contact us today to explore available apartments and explore the possibilities.

We are ready to receive your apartment rental applications.