Renting with No
Rental History
Everyone starts somewhere. Whether you are a new graduate, first-time renter, or just never had your name on a lease, here is how to get approved for your first apartment.
Get Settl-VerifiedWhat Landlords Actually Need to See
Rental history is one data point. Landlords use it to predict future reliability. Without it, you need to provide equivalent evidence from other sources.
Income Verification
The most important factor. Show 3x monthly rent in consistent, verifiable income. Bank statements with regular deposits are often more convincing than pay stubs alone.
Employment Stability
A letter from your employer confirming your position, salary, and employment start date addresses the "will they be able to pay long-term?" question.
Character References
Three professional or personal references who can speak to your reliability, responsibility, and financial habits. A supervisor or professor carries significant weight.
Verified Identity
Confirmed identity signals credibility. Settl's KYC verification shows landlords exactly who you are. Reducing uncertainty when they cannot fall back on rental history.
Step-by-Step: First Rental Approval
Open a dedicated bank account and build 3 months of deposit history
Lenders and landlords want to see regular deposits. If you have been receiving money informally (cash, Venmo, Zelle), get it into a real bank account for 3 months before applying.
Get a Settl-verified profile
Settl verifies your identity via passport (biometric KYC) and links to your bank to show your income pattern. SSN is used for the soft pull credit check only, never shared with landlords. This provides the documented proof of reliability that replaces rental history.
Gather 3 strong references
Email your employer, a professor or supervisor, and a non-family adult who knows you well. Ask them to write a short letter confirming your reliability and character. Don't show up to viewings without these.
Apply to private landlords first
Individual property owners have far more discretion than large apartment complexes. They can evaluate your situation holistically. Income, conversation, references. Rather than running you through an automated screening system.
Offer first + last + deposit upfront
Offering to prepay first and last month's rent plus a standard security deposit signals financial stability and demonstrates you will not default immediately. This is the most effective single move for first-time renters.
Common First-Time Renter Situations
Lead with your job offer letter or first pay stub. Employers who hired you took a bigger risk than a landlord. Use that as evidence of your reliability.
A letter from a parent confirming you lived with them rent-free (or paid informal rent) for X years with no issues substitutes for a landlord reference.
See our international renters guide. Settl's passport-based KYC and bank-linked income analysis are especially valuable here. No US rental history required. SSN never shared with landlords.
Your employment stability and income are your strongest assets. Get a letter from HR confirming your position and start date, and let income carry the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent an apartment with no rental history?
Yes. Many landlords rent to first-time renters every day. They focus on income (3x monthly rent), employment stability, and references. The key is proving you are reliable even without a rental track record.
What references can I use if I have no rental history?
Use professional references (employer, supervisor, professor), personal character references (non-family members who can speak to your reliability), and if you lived with parents, a letter from them confirming you paid rent or contributed to household expenses.
Do I need a co-signer as a first-time renter?
Not always, but a co-signer with good credit (680+) and income significantly improves approval odds. If your income alone meets the 3x threshold and you can provide strong references, many landlords will not require one.
Will a larger security deposit help a first-time renter?
Yes. Offering to pay first and last month's rent plus a full security deposit signals financial responsibility and reduces the landlord perceived risk of an untested tenant.
How does Settl help first-time renters?
Settl verifies your identity and bank-linked income. Two things you control regardless of rental history. A Settl verified profile demonstrates financial readiness that directly compensates for lack of rental track record.
Who Settl is for
Built for every kind of renter
Whether you're relocating, self-employed, or applying for the first time. Settl gives you a verified profile that speaks for itself.
“No rental history, no co-signer. Settl lets you show exactly what you earn and who you are. So landlords can make a real decision, not a guess.”
First-time renter
New York, NY
“Applying from another city means landlords can't meet you. Settl Verified Passport with verified income gives them the confidence to approve you before you arrive.”
Relocating professional
Remote applicant
“Pay stubs don't tell the whole story for 1099 workers. Bank verification shows your real cash flow. Often stronger than a salary looks on paper.”
Freelancer or self-employed
Variable income
“One Settl Verified Passport, valid for 30 days at any property, shareable with any landlord. Apply to as many units as you want without repeating the paperwork.”
Applying to multiple units
Competitive markets
Early users. We'd love to share your story. Tell us how it went →
Ready to prove you are a great tenant?
Get Settl Verified Passport in under 10 minutes. Bank-verified income, identity check, and a shareable profile. From $99.
Start Your Free CheckSoft pull only. Valid 30 days at any property.
Settl into your new home.
Get Verified Before Your First Application
Settl gives first-time renters a verified identity and income profile that compensates for the rental history you do not have yet.
Start Verification. From $99