rent an apartment in nyc - documents needed? (New York, Paris: real estate, apartments)

[potentially moving]

i'm a canadian moving to NYC with a job offer. what documents will i need to rent a 1 bd in Manhattan. i've heard it is really hard to rent an apartment b/c you need all sorts of documentation (tax returns, reference letters). is it any different / more stricter for canadians?

[sheaosaurus]

Do you have a social security number? If not, you may need a US guarantor that makes 80x the monthly rent (ie a $1000 apartment requires a guarantor to make $80,000). Or, they may require the full year up front. All of this is arbitrary of course, if you go through a private owner they may be willing to be less strict.
General requirements are:
1. 40x the rent (if you are living in Manhattan)
2. Offer letter stating salary, date hired, position etc
3. Last two years tax returns
4. Last two-three paystubs
5. Last 2-3 FULL bank statements
6. Photo ID

Reference letters aren't really needed, unless the landlord asks for them. Maybe one from your current landlord will help since you are out of country. May I also advise a roommate situation for a year, so you can get a feel for neighborhoods etc, and you can maybe establish credit. Hope this helps and congratulations on the job offer.

-Licensed Real Estate Agent

[Taxi guy]

There are rental agencies that specialize in setting up foreigners in NYC. Here is one New York Habitat - Apartments in New York, Paris, London and South of France

Suggest you send them an e-mail and they can probably walk you through what is needed.

[potentially moving]

Thanks kindly. Much appreciate the information! wow, that is a lot of requirements for an apartment.

[potentially moving]

Sheasaurus, do i still need to show tax returns if i am Canadian?

[sheaosaurus]

Originally Posted by potentially moving

Sheasaurus, do i still need to show tax returns if i am Canadian?

It definitely helps to show that you were employed. The rental application is going to ask for any previous jobs, so having the tax returns to match the income that you write for that previous job on the application would help.

[mc33433]

I never had to show tax returns for any apartment that I rented.

They did a credit check, I showed pay stubs, I showed copies of my bank account statements (I think a few months worth) with sufficient cash, and I believe a letter confirming my employment/salary.

And be ready to write a check and not "think about it" for a while.

[potentially moving]

thank you! very excited to come to NYC!