How to apply for an apartment in New York City

Good apartments in New York often rent within days. The renters who get them usually have one thing in common: their application is ready before they tour. Here is what landlords ask for and how to prepare.

The documents to gather

• Photo ID — a driver's license, state ID or passport.
• Proof of income — your two or three most recent pay stubs and an employment letter that states your salary and start date. If you are self-employed, your last two tax returns and recent bank statements.
• Bank statements — usually the last two months.
• Your current address and your landlord's contact — many landlords ask for a reference.

Save each document as a clear PDF in one folder on your phone, so you can upload everything the moment you decide.

The income guideline

Most New York landlords look for an annual household income of about 40 times the monthly rent. For a $3,000 apartment, that is $120,000 a year, combined across everyone who will sign the lease. If your income falls short, a guarantor — someone who agrees to cover the rent if you cannot — usually needs an income of about 80 times the monthly rent.

Credit and background checks

Landlords check credit to see how reliably you pay. A history of on-time payments matters more than a perfect score. If there is something on your report you want to explain, tell your agent up front.

What you pay at signing

Expect to pay the first month's rent and a security deposit when you sign the lease. Under New York's Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, a security deposit cannot be more than one month's rent.

Applying with us

Our application runs online: you fill it in once, upload your documents, and we put a complete file in front of the landlord. If you have questions along the way, our team answers them.