Enrichment · Life Skills

One folder,
ready before the viewing.

Good apartments go to the first complete application. Gather the documents once, line up references who expect the call, and see your income as a multiple of the rent before you pay a fee. The organizer flags what is missing as the apply-by date gets close and explains your rights if a report leads to a denial.

Add an applicationWhat you get
$5one-time · every device you sign in on
Buy · $5

Included with the Caveat Academy pass and Whole-school licenses. Or get it in the Life skills kit, $29 for 28 items.

Applications

The worked example is made up: an apartment due in two days at 2.6 times income with three documents to get and a reference not yet asked, and a denied application that shows the adverse action notice. Records save on this device only.

Loading the application form. If nothing appears, turn on JavaScript.

What you get

Enrichment · Life Skills$5

What you finish with
A record per application with the place, landlord or manager, rent, fee, apply-by date, status, income before taxes, guarantor and the date applied; seven documents; references with whether each agreed; income as a multiple of rent and the total of fees; flags for income under the common guideline, a close date with documents missing, references not yet asked and a denial or conditional approval with your rights.
Who it is for
Young adults renting a first apartment, college students moving off campus, families moving, and anyone applying to several rentals at once.
Format
Browser organizer with a saved record per application. Prints a record, every application as a table or a blank checklist; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); exports and imports a file.
Access
$5 one-time, yours on every device you sign in on; the tool opens once you are signed in with it. Included with the Caveat Academy pass and Whole-school licenses. Also in the Life skills kit ($29) and the Enrichment Suite pass ($119), and 1 more bundle. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Life Skills space in Caveat Enrichment.
Support
Questions about access, an order or a correction: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Scan every document into one folder before you start.
  2. Ask your references first, then list them.
  3. Add each place with its rent and fee, and check the income multiple before paying.
  4. Apply early, and note the date.
  5. If you are denied, read the notice and get your free report.

Add an application

Fair screening

What a landlord can and cannot weighCan weighIncome and how steady it isRental history and referencesA credit report, with yourconsentWhether you meet the samerules as everyoneCannot, under the Fair Housing ActRace or colorNational originReligionSex, including sexualorientation and genderidentityFamilial status, such aschildrenDisabilityWhat a landlord can and cannot weighCan weighIncome and how steady it isRental history and referencesA credit report, with yourconsentWhether you meet the same rulesas everyoneCannot, under the Fair Housing ActRace or colorNational originReligionSex, including sexualorientation and gender identityFamilial status, such aschildrenDisability
The federal list. Many states and cities protect more groups, such as source of income.

If a report leads to a no

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a landlord who denies you, or asks for more, because of a credit or tenant screening report must tell you, name the company that made the report and explain your right to a free copy within 60 days. If the report is wrong, dispute it with that company; it generally has 30 days to investigate.

Fees add up

Application fees usually pay for screening and are rarely refunded. Ask what the landlord looks for before you pay, and whether they accept a screening report you already have. Some states and cities limit application fees; check the rules where you are renting.

Sources

  1. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Tenant screening and your rights when a report is used against you (consumerfinance.gov).
  2. Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681m: adverse action notices; Federal Trade Commission, Using Consumer Reports: What Landlords Need to Know (ftc.gov).
  3. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Housing Discrimination Under the Fair Housing Act (hud.gov).
  4. AnnualCreditReport.com: free weekly credit reports from the three nationwide credit bureaus.

The worked example is made up, including the names and 555 numbers. This organizer is not legal advice; state and local rental rules vary. Nothing you type is sent to Caveat. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.