Applying for a rental
What landlords usually ask for, what you can keep to yourself, and how to put together an application that is easy to say yes to.
Last updated 12 Oct 2026. Written by MyRentAll; not reviewed by a lawyer.
What you are usually asked for
Most applications ask for proof of identity, proof that you can afford the rent (payslips, a letter from an employer, or records of other income), and references from previous landlords or other people who know you.
If you have not rented before, a reference from an employer, a teacher or someone you have lived with can help, as can showing savings.
Your privacy
Share what is needed to decide the application and no more. You can cover numbers on documents that are not needed, such as a bank account number on a payslip.
Ask how your information will be stored and when it will be deleted if you are not successful. On MyRentAll, the personal information in an unsuccessful application is deleted after a set time.
Fair treatment
It is against the law in Australia to refuse someone a rental because of protected attributes such as race, sex, disability, age or family status. Equal opportunity and human rights bodies can help if you think this has happened to you.
Some states also limit what a landlord may ask, such as rental bidding or certain kinds of information. Your state’s tenancy regulator has the details.