How Long Does It Take To Get Approved For An Apartment Zillow

Leo Migdal

-Dec 8, 2025, 2:56 PM

how long does it take to get approved for an apartment zillow

Written by Jennifer Lyons on May 7, 2025 Reviewed by Treh Manhertz and Chrissy Tran, Edited by Jessica Rapp Renters typically hear back about an apartment approval 1-3 business days after submitting their rental application. Sometimes, an apartment approval can take longer if more information is requested, there are delays in the background and credit check review, or you're applying with roommates or a co-signer. The more renters interested in an apartment can also impact how long you wait for an apartment application approval. We’ll walk you through the rental application process, so you know what to expect at every stage.

When you apply for an apartment, landlords or property managers review various pieces of information to ensure you’re qualified as a tenant. Here are the typical steps involved in the process: Most rental applications require basic information, such as your name, contact info, Social Security number, employment details or other income verification, and rental history. Be sure to disclose other relevant information on your application, such as pet ownership or co-applicants expected to live at the rental property. Completing a rental application can take less than an hour to a few hours, depending on the complexity of the questions and documents you need to include. Written by Jennifer Lyons on November 5, 2025

Reviewed by Chrissy Tran and Treh Manhertz, Edited by Alycia Lucio Waiting to hear back about an apartment application can be nerve-wracking, especially when you’ve set your sights on the perfect place or are eager to lock in your next move. While it may take a few business days to hear back about your rental application, the good news is that there are a few signs that might hint that your application is on the... Track the status of your application when you use Zillow's portable applications. Few things confirm good news like an official approval notice. If a landlord or property manager contacts you directly to inform you that your application has been accepted, congratulations!

You’re one step closer to making this place your new home. Please note that the message may be sent by phone, email, or through the rental portal you used to apply. Get ready to ask questions and provide documents your landlord asks for. You’ve looked for an apartment online, toured properties and narrowed down your options to an apartment you love. Now, you’re ready to submit your application. Some apartments may have you fill out your application digitally (and you might have to do so if you’re applying from outside the area).

Others may give you a physical form to fill out. Each application might require slightly different information. But don’t worry; we have your back. We’ll guide you through the rental application process in ten easy-to-follow steps. In this case, we’re referring to sharing your legal name, contact information like your phone number and email address, and information for your emergency contact (usually a relative or spouse). You’ll also probably have to submit a copy of your ID, proof of income, and personal references.

Here’s a full list of what you’ll need to rent an apartment so that you can be prepared to move quickly and better your odds of getting approved. When you set up a profile through Zillow Rentals, you’ll include some of that previously mentioned information, so you don’t have to do it a dozen times on a dozen websites. When applying for a rental with your pet in tow, share their breed, weight, and age. When you apply for a rental through the Zillow Rentals app, landlords can look at your renter profile. And Zillow lets you add your pet’s information to that profile, so it's automatically provided when you apply to live somewhere. Having this upfront can help speed up the application process.

Written by Jennifer Lyons on September 10, 2025 Reviewed by Chrissy Tran and Treh Manhertz, Edited by Alycia Lucio After you’ve submitted your rental application, the landlord or property manager will often order a background check to confirm your reliability as a tenant. A background check for an apartment may take anywhere from a few minutes to 1-3 days to process. For more complex background checks, that involve manual verification, these may take up to a week. The types of checks being requested and the service provider are common factors that impact the speed of a background check, but other factors may also delay the process.

We’ll guide you through some of the key factors that influence how long the background check takes to help you set realistic expectations. We’ll also provide tips on how to prepare for apartment background checks to speed things up the next time you apply. When applying for a rental, landlords often perform a background check to assess your suitability as a tenant. These checks provide a comprehensive view of your financial reliability, past rental experiences, and personal history to ensure you're capable of meeting the responsibilities of renting. In this section, we'll break down the most common components of a landlord's background check and what they reveal about you. Get clear insights into apartment application approval times.

Understand the factors and processes that determine how quickly you get approved. Apartment application approval times vary significantly, creating uncertainty for many prospective renters. Understanding typical timelines and influencing factors can help manage expectations. Most apartment applications are approved within 24 to 72 hours. However, this can extend up to a week or more. Online submissions with all required documents typically result in faster processing.

Paper applications or those with missing information may take three to seven business days. Several factors influence approval speed. The type of property, such as a large apartment complex versus a private landlord, can affect the timeline, as larger entities may have more standardized, but sometimes slower, procedures. Property management company efficiency also plays a role. A high volume of applications, especially during peak moving seasons, can extend waiting periods. Submitting a complete and accurate application from the outset is important for a swift review.

Landlords and property managers conduct several checks to evaluate an applicant’s suitability. A credit history check is standard, examining credit scores, payment history, and outstanding debts to assess financial responsibility. Rental history verification involves contacting previous landlords to confirm tenancy details, payment habits, and property maintenance. Employment and income verification ensures the applicant can afford the rent, often requiring documentation like recent pay stubs, bank statements, or employer letters. Discover the typical timeframe for rental application approval and key factors that influence the process. Get insights for your next home.

The time it takes for a rental application to be approved falls within 24 to 72 hours. This timeframe can extend up to a week or longer. This duration represents the period from when a complete application is submitted until a landlord or property manager communicates a decision. The speed of this process is an average, and individual experiences may vary. Several elements influence how quickly a rental application moves through the approval pipeline. An incomplete application, missing required information or documentation, causes delays as the property manager seeks clarification.

The responsiveness of personal and professional references, including previous landlords and employers, also plays a role; slow replies can prolong the waiting period. The efficiency of the property management company, including staffing levels and internal procedures, directly impacts processing speed. The volume of applications received for a property can affect the timeline, as property managers process them in sequence. The thoroughness of background and credit checks may also add to the duration. The availability of the landlord or decision-maker to review the compiled information and make a final determination can be a bottleneck. Landlords and property managers undertake a systematic review of rental applications to assess a prospective tenant’s suitability.

This process begins with income verification, where applicants provide documentation such as recent pay stubs, employment letters, or tax returns to demonstrate their financial capacity to meet rent obligations. A credit history check is also standard, allowing the reviewer to examine credit scores, payment history, and any outstanding debts, which helps gauge financial responsibility. It can be more than a little nerve-wracking to submit an application for an apartment, then have to wait around to find out if the powers-that-be deem you worthy enough to live there. This tense period is known as the apartment approval process. Fortunately, most people have nothing to worry about. If you’ve lived a clean, relatively scandal-free life, you’re probably going to get the unit (provided there isn’t a ton of competition).

Still, it helps relieve some of the waiting-related tension to know what’s going down during the all-important apartment approval process. The whole point of the apartment approval process is for the landlord or property manager to determine if the applicant is reliable, able to pay bills on time and otherwise just a good neighbor. You know, someone Mr. Rogers would like to live near. The first step in renting the unit of your dreams (or the next best thing) is to fill out a renters application. There’s usually a non-refundable application fee per person associated with this (an average of $30), so make sure you and any roommates love the place and stand a chance at getting it before you...

This is how they cover the cost of using staff time to check references, credit and so on. The application submission process varies depending on the property. Many modern communities do the whole thing online, from application completion to the upload of necessary files. However, some places do still prefer the whole in-person, pen and paper thing, so be prepared to follow whatever steps are necessary.

How Long Does It Take To Get Approved For An Apartment Zillow

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