Rental application checklist for renters

Applying for a rental can feel complicated, especially for first-time renters. This guide answers the most common questions about what a rental application involves, how credit checks work, and how to improve your chances of getting approved.

What Is a Rental Application?

A rental application is a document landlords use to collect information about prospective tenants before deciding who to rent to. It typically asks for your name and contact details, current and previous addresses, employment and income information, rental history and landlord references, and consent to run a credit check. The information you provide gives the landlord a basis for assessing whether you are a reliable fit for the unit.

On liv.rent, your completed profile functions as a Renter Resume that you can submit to any listing on the platform without filling out a new form each time.

Why Might a Rental Application Be Denied?

Common reasons include: incomplete or incorrectly filled out application; income that appears insufficient to cover rent comfortably (landlords typically look for rent to be no more than one-third of monthly income); missing, unreachable, or unfavourable references; a low or absent credit score; or a mismatch on pet or smoking policies stated in the listing.

Does Getting Denied for an Apartment Affect Your Credit Score?

Being denied does not affect your credit score. However, each credit check a landlord runs may have a minor impact. Hard credit checks have a slightly larger effect than soft checks. You can ask a landlord before applying whether they conduct a hard or soft credit check.

What Credit Score Do Landlords Look For?

Credit score thresholds vary by landlord, but the general ranges used by Equifax and TransUnion in Canada are as follows: under 580 is considered poor; 580 to 669 is fair; 670 to 739 is good; 740 to 799 is very good; 800 and above is excellent. Most landlords look for a score of 660 or above, though a strong application in other areas can compensate for a lower score.

liv.rent's Trust Score is a more comprehensive rating that combines an Equifax credit report with employment and income verification and social media verification, giving landlords a fuller picture of a renter's reliability than a credit score alone.

Can I Rent With a Low Credit Score or No Credit History?

Yes. A low credit score or no Canadian credit history does not automatically disqualify you. Strong employment documentation, savings statements showing sufficient funds to cover rent, a guarantor, or a personal reference from an employer or community contact can all help offset a thin credit file. On liv.rent, you can select that you are a first-time renter or that you do not have a Canadian credit history, which explains this context to landlords directly.

Do I Need to Provide My Bank Account Number on a Rental Application?

Generally no. You are not required to provide banking details on a rental application. At the lease-signing stage, your landlord will need payment information, but this comes after both parties have agreed to proceed.

Will a Landlord Check My Bank Account Balance?

Most landlords do not ask to see a bank balance. They primarily want to verify income and credit. The two most common exceptions are students without income and newcomers to Canada who have not yet secured employment — in these cases, landlords may ask for savings statements to confirm sufficient funds are available to cover rent.

What Can a Landlord Not Ask You?

Landlords cannot ask questions that would violate provincial human rights codes. This includes questions about race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, family status, disability, or age. In Ontario specifically, the Ontario Human Rights Code sets out these protections clearly. Similar protections exist in every province. Landlords also cannot require you to sign a new fixed-term lease once yours expires, enter the unit without proper written notice, or collect deposits that are not permitted under provincial law.

For a detailed breakdown of what landlords are and are not permitted to ask, see our [guide on what information a landlord is allowed to ask for].

How Do You Fill Out an Application With No Rental History?

Focus on what you can provide: employment and income documentation, personal or professional references, a brief explanation of your situation, and any savings that demonstrate financial stability. On liv.rent, selecting the first-time renter option signals to landlords exactly why rental history is absent and opens the door to other ways of demonstrating your reliability.

How Can You Make Your Application Stand Out?

Complete your profile fully, including identity verification, income verification, and a Renter Story that gives landlords context about who you are. Having your Trust Score ready before applying removes friction from the landlord's decision-making process. Applying promptly and being responsive to messages also signals seriousness and reliability.

Find a Verified Rental on liv.rent

liv.rent lists verified rentals across Canada. Verified landlord profiles and a single Renter Resume that works across all listings make applying straightforward and safe.