Rental Application Packet
A Rental Application Packet provides the landlord comprehensive information about you and those in your group. A good packet makes you stand out as a better prospective tenant.
Here's what to include:
Photograph: A photo of each applicant should be included in your application packet. Landlords see a lot of prospective tenants and you want them to remember who you are.
Cover Letter: Give an overview of yourself. If applying as a household, also give an overview of your group, for example, how you know each other and what your common interests are. If applying for rooms in shared housing, use the opportunity to share some of your lifestyle preferences with the current tenant(s). If you have a credit report or parental letter of guarantee, mention that here.
Rental Application (PDF): Fill it out neatly and completely. Follow the instructions on the second page of the form.
Rental Resume (Microsoft Word): Use our sample as a guide for creating your own.
Rental References:
- Housing Reference Release: This online form authorizes university housing staff to serve as a rental reference for your on-campus rental payment history and behavior as a good tenant and neighbor.
- UCSC Reference Release form (PDF): Download this form and to give it to other UCSC employees (such as professors, teaching assistants, supervisors, etc.) to permit them to serve as a reference for you.
- How to check a rental reference for a UCSC student (PDF): Fill in and give this form to potential landlords so they will have the information needed to check your on-campus references.
- Get other references in writing ahead of time whenever possible, such as from a current or previous employer or volunteer work, and include them in your packet.
Renters Workshop certificate: Many landlords and professional property managers accept this certificate as a type of “reference”. Many will not rent to undergraduates without it. Complete our online Renters Workshop and quiz to receive your certificate.
Be careful about sharing confidential information
The items below contain personal confidential information.
Parental Letter of Guarantee (PDF): Many landlords who rent to students require a co-guarantor for the rent. Mention in your cover letter that you will provide one upon request and have the form filled out and ready to go, but only give to landlords seriously considering your application.
Credit report: Get a credit report on yourself. No credit is better than bad credit so even a credit report with no history is of some value. Free credit reports are available at annualcreditreport.com. Many landlords and most professional property managers will want to use the credit reporting company they are accustomed to, but having one ready may get you through the “first cut.” Make note in your cover letter that you have one available but DO NOT include it in the packet; only provide it if requested.
Download a Sample Rental Application Packet (PDF)