What do LL's verify in the credit/background check? (apartment, evictions, credit score)

[ValueAddedWorker]

I've lived in the same apartment and worked and the same company part-time for 4 years. I'm planning to move by the end of August and start a temporary position at my current employer. However I'm thinking of giving up the position of 4 years and starting another one at a new company (lower pay, but much needed change after my bosses recently announced the hiring of a new employee with the possibility my schedule would be cut in the future). My concern is how this would look when they do a background check.

Would you recommend holding off on getting a new job while searching for an apartment, or does the fact you've been in one place for 4 years hold greater value? I'm guessing being able to prove you can pay the rent trumps them all.

[EricBoyd]

As a PM, I make sure there's at least a 500 credit score, gross income is at least 3X the rent amount, and I look at the last 3 months of bank statements and the last 2 paystubs. As long as everything checks out with credit and income, and there are no recent evictions and no criminal history against other people/property, then I'm fine with that.

[KonaKat]

Ditto what Eric said. It might be best to get the new apartment before you decide to quit, but qualifying with a new job is just as okay as qualifying with an old job. Now, qualifying for a mortgage, different story - you don't want your income to go down in the middle of that process!