How to apply for an apartment on RentCafe.com
Summary
The entire application process on RentCafe.com happens through a dedicated online applicant portal. Once you find an apartment and click “Apply now,” the portal guides you through each step — personal details, residence and employment history, co-applicants and lease preferences. You pay the application fee at the end to submit. If approved, you’ll receive and sign your lease digitally.
Applying on RentCafe.com is straightforward. Create your account, find an apartment and submit your application.
What do I need to apply for an apartment?
Gather this information before you start — the portal will ask for all of it:
- Personal details and your preferred move-in date
- Residence history (current and previous addresses)
- Employment and income information
- Vehicle and pet details, if applicable
- Co-applicant or guarantor information, if applicable
How does the application process work?
Once you’ve found your apartment, click “Apply now,” then the applicant portal walks you through each section in order:
- Enter your personal details and preferred lease start date.
- Provide your residence history, employment information and income.
- Add a co-applicant or guarantor, if needed. Co-applicants can fill in their section directly on your screen or receive an email invitation to complete their own portion separately.
- If the property offers add-ons like storage or parking, you’ll have the option to select them here.
- Review your application, then pay the application fee to submit. Depending on the property, you can pay by credit card, debit card or bank account.
What happens after I submit my rental application?
Once you submit your application, the property manager reviews it and emails you with their decision.
If your application is approved
- You’ll receive your lease agreement to review and sign digitally.
- You can create your signature by choosing a preset style or drawing your own.
- All co-applicants must sign their sections too.
- Once everyone has signed, the property manager countersigns to make the lease official.
If your application is denied
The property manager emails you their decision directly. You can also contact the property to ask about the outcome, if you think an error was made, or to find out if there are other available apartments.
Ready to find your next happy place? Start your search on RentCafe.com.
FAQ
You can create a free RentCafe account from the sign-up page or while starting a rental application. If you begin an application without an account, you’ll be prompted to create one before submitting.
For step-by-step instructions, see our guide on creating a RentCafe account.
The application fee is set by the property, not by RentCafe, and varies by location. You’ll see the fee amount before you submit. Payment is collected at the end of the application, after you’ve filled in all required sections. Depending on the property, you can pay by credit card, debit card or bank account.
If your application is not approved, the property manager will notify you by email. RentCafe does not make approval decisions — that’s entirely up to the property. If you believe the decision was made in error, contact the property directly. You can also continue searching and applying for other apartments on RentCafe.com.
Review times vary by property and are not controlled by RentCafe. Some properties respond within one to two business days; others may take longer. You’ll receive an email notification as soon as the property manager has made a decision.