Relocating from East Coast to Dallas. What documents will I need to rent an apartment? (Post: leasing agent)

[tallorder5793]

I am a thirty-ish professional and have found it frustating and difficult searching for a job from a distance. In light of this, I am thinking about taking the plunge and leaving the Northeast and my job and setting up house in Dallas. In this case, I would have an easier time job hunting and getting to local interviews; but, at the same time, I am concerned about the requirements for leasing an apartment in Dallas.

Questions:

What types of background information are typically required by realtors and/or prospective landlords in Dallas? Do they require proof of employment? If so, would it help for me to pay for a few months upfront?

Any advice pertaining to my questions would be most appreciated. Thank you.

[Dallas native]

I've owned a couple of condos that I have used as rental properties and the first thing I ask for is that the potential tenant fill out an application with references and authorize a credit check. I rely on the credit report more than anything else. If someone has awful credit and/or lots of deregotory comments on the report, then I am not about to rent to them. Not having a job is somewhat of a concern to me, but I would probably just ask for a larger deposit. I know that large apartment companies (Post Properties for example) will also do a criminal background check.

[kacvb1974]

Don't know how helpful this is, but here's an sample of the typical TX rental contract:

http://www.taa.org/assets/PDF/renter/2007%20rental%20application%20-%20for%20website.pdf (broken link)

Credit history and a criminal check, as already mentioned, is pretty much a given. I'd be wary of a property that didn't require that because it could reflect on the quality of your neighbors/landlord. However, in my experience, most properties aren't looking for an absolute perfect angel, rather they need you to be up front on the application should you have made some blunders. Especially in smaller communities, I found leasing agents to be pretty flexible.

Though some rentals, especially the more upscale properties, have income ratio requirements--you must prove you earn 3X+ a mo what you owe in rent. Paycheck stubs or proof of deposits should suffice. Your former employer faxing something in could be helpful too.

My experiences with corporate owners/large complexes varied greatly than when I rented from an individual. I once had very sweet old lady ask me for 6 character references, lol.

Dallas' number of apartment/condo communities is mind-blowing. Having so many folks relocating to the area, with a job or still searching, is so common that I'd be surprised if you ran into any major problems as long as you can prove a solid rental history and were gainfully employed at your previous location. Besides, no one in a free-lance situation could ever find a home if every community was 100% picky. My (now) husband relocated here from Philly and when he was in-between jobs, no one asked for the rent months in advance.

Good luck!!

[Macbeth2003]

Originally Posted by tallorder5793

Any advice pertaining to my questions would be most appreciated. Thank you.

I would try looking for a place leased by a guy who owns a property or two, rather than a Managment Company.
Many management companies can't or won't budge from the official requirements, which usually include a job. Individuals will work with you more.
I remember a complex refusing to rent me an apt for a year when I was an unemployed student. This despite the fact that i offered to prepay the entire years rent.
Believe me I had no trouble getting an individual to agree to those terms.