The NYC Renter’s Checklist, What to Gather Before You Apply

1Gather Your Documents First

Before your first showing

Most landlords and management companies ask for the same core paperwork. Scan everything into one folder on your phone so you can send a complete application within minutes of seeing a place you love.

Everyone needs

• A government photo ID for every person on the lease
• Your two or three most recent pay stubs
• An employment verification letter on company letterhead, showing your title, salary and start date (or your offer letter if you’re starting a new job)
• Your most recent federal tax return, or last year’s W-2
• Your two most recent bank statements, every page
• A recent copy of your credit report, free at AnnualCreditReport.com, so you know what a landlord will see
• A reference letter from your current or past landlord, or proof that you’ve paid rent on time

If you’re self-employed, a student or new to the city

• Two years of tax returns and a letter from your accountant, if you’re self-employed
• Proof of savings or assets, which can help if your income is new or irregular
• Your school enrollment or job offer letter, if you’re moving for school or a new job

If you’re using a guarantor

• Your guarantor’s photo ID, tax return, recent bank statements and employment letter
• Their contact information, so the landlord can reach them quickly
• If you don’t have a family guarantor, ask me about institutional guarantor companies

If you have a pet

• Vaccination records, a photo of your pet, and a reference from a past landlord if you have one

Have your funds ready

• Your first month’s rent and security deposit, ready to send by certified check or the landlord’s preferred method
• Up to $20 for the credit and background check

Every building is a little different, but those are the basics. Many landlords look for an annual income of about 40 times the monthly rent, and about 80 times for a guarantor. New York law caps the fee for a background and credit check at $20 (and the landlord has to waive it if you bring your own check from the last 30 days), and limits the security deposit to one month’s rent. If your numbers are close, don’t count yourself out. Call me, and we’ll find the right strategy.

2Find the Neighborhood That Fits Your Life

Where my experience makes the biggest difference

The right apartment in the wrong neighborhood never feels like home. Before we look at a single listing, I want to understand how you live, so I can point you toward the blocks where you’ll be happiest.

• Your commute: where you need to be, how often, and how long you’re willing to travel door to door
• Your routine: early mornings or late nights, quiet streets or a lively scene, a gym, a park or a dog run nearby
• Your must-haves: laundry, a dishwasher, an elevator, outdoor space or room for a home office
• Your trade-offs: would you give up a few square feet to live closer to work, or take a longer ride for more space?
• Your budget, all in: rent, utilities, internet and renters insurance

I’ve been helping New Yorkers find homes since 2012, in neighborhoods across Manhattan and Brooklyn, and I’ve called Brooklyn home for years. I know which blocks are quiet at night, which subway lines are reliable, where the new restaurants are opening, and where you’ll get the most apartment for your money. That kind of insider knowledge doesn’t show up in a listing photo, and it can save you from signing a lease you’ll regret.

Want a taste of how I see a neighborhood? My New York Neighborhood series digs into the history and character of the places my clients are considering. Start with Park Slope, my love letter to Green-Wood Cemetery, and my guide to Fall in Brooklyn.

3Make the Most of Your Space

A smart way to save

Here’s one of my favorite tips for new renters: consider a flex apartment. A large studio or one-bedroom with the right layout can take a temporary pressurized wall to create an extra bedroom. Two roommates can split one lease instead of each paying for a separate studio, which can put a more central neighborhood within reach.

Not every apartment advertised as “flex” can actually take a wall, and every building sets its own rules. As a designer, I look at a floor plan and see where a second bedroom will work and how to keep both rooms bright. Read my full guide, The Flex Apartment Breakdown, before you start your search.

• Decide whether you’re open to a flex apartment or a roommate
• Ask me which buildings in your neighborhoods allow temporary walls
• Budget for the one-time cost of putting up and taking down the wall
• Agree with your roommate, in writing, on how you’ll split the rent and the wall

4Before You Sign the Lease

The last few checks

• Walk the apartment again, and test the water pressure, the outlets, the windows and the heat
• Read the full lease, including the rules on pets, subletting, guests and renewals
• Confirm what’s included in the rent and which utilities you’ll pay
• Get any promises, like a fresh coat of paint or a new appliance, in writing
• Buy renters insurance, which many buildings require and which costs far less than most people expect
• Take dated photos of the apartment on move-in day

And if you’re renting now but dreaming about owning someday, bookmark my NYC Home Buyer’s Checklist. It’s closer than you might think.