What Documents Do You Need to Rent an Apartment?
Five things to gather before you apply — so your application is decided in days, not weeks.
Updated August 28, 2026
The short answer
You need two things almost everywhere: a government-issued photo ID and proof of income(usually your 2–3 most recent pay stubs). Most communities also want your rental history with landlord contact info — and every adult who'll live in the home needs their own ID and income proof. Gather all of it before you apply and you'll be the application that gets approved fast.
The checklist
- ✓ Government-issued photo ID
- Driver's license, state ID, passport, or consular ID. It needs to be current and match the name on your application.
- ✓ Proof of income
- The standard is your 2–3 most recent pay stubs. An offer letter works for a new job; bank statements, tax returns, or 1099s work if you're self-employed. Screening measures this against the 3x rent rule.
- ✓ Rental history & references
- Names and phone numbers for your current and previous landlords, plus those addresses and dates. First apartment? Expect that to be handled case by case — ask before applying.
- ✓ Contact info for everyone applying
- Every adult who'll live in the home usually applies and is screened. Have each applicant's ID and income proof ready, since household income counts together.
- ✓ The application fee
- Non-refundable nearly everywhere, including Cranbrook Forest — which is exactly why you should read a community's rental criteria before you pay it.
Why complete beats fast
Leasing offices don't sit on complete applications — an approvable file is a signed lease, and vacant days cost the property money. When approval drags, it's almost always because something on this list is missing and nobody told you yet. Submitting everything at once — legible photos, current stubs, working phone numbers for previous landlords — removes every reason for your file to sit.
The other half of a fast yes is applying somewhere you actually qualify. Our rental criteria are public — 550+ credit, 3x income, no evictions or felonies — and pricing starts at $699/mo on the floor plans. Se habla español — llámanos al (346) 800-0087.
Common Questions
- What documents do I need to rent an apartment?
- At minimum: a government-issued photo ID and proof of income (usually your 2–3 most recent pay stubs). Most communities also ask for rental history with landlord contact info, and every adult applicant needs their own ID and income proof. Self-employed applicants can typically substitute bank statements, tax returns, or 1099s.
- How do I prove income if I'm self-employed or paid in cash?
- Bank statements showing regular deposits, your most recent tax return, or 1099s are the usual substitutes for pay stubs. Call the leasing office before applying to confirm what they'll accept — at Cranbrook Forest that's (346) 800-0087.
- Do I need a Social Security number to rent?
- Not necessarily. Many communities can screen with an ITIN or run an alternate process with a passport or consular ID. Policies vary, so ask the leasing office what they accept before paying an application fee.
- What does Cranbrook Forest require to apply?
- Photo ID and proof of income for each adult applicant, measured against our published criteria: 550+ credit score, household income of 3x the rent (minimum $2,280/mo), and no prior evictions or felonies. The application is online and the fee is non-refundable, so check the criteria first.
Documents Ready? Come See It First.
Tour the apartment before you apply. Mon–Sat, from $699/mo.
Mon–Fri 8:30AM–5:30PM | Sat 10AM–5PM