The Newcomer's Guide to Renting in the US
Who would have thought renting in the land of the free is this hard? We built this guide together with our community so you’re well equipped to find your dream home (or dream shoe box if you move to NY or SF). Our community guide explains what you need to know and prepare, so you can get your application approved and move into your first US apartment with confidence.
01 Landlord criteria
How landlords decide if they'll rent to you
When you apply for an apartment, the number one thing a landlord cares about is risk. They need confidence that you will pay your rent in full and on time every month. To gain that confidence, most landlords rely almost exclusively on your credit score. This score is tied directly to a Social Security Number (SSN).
As an American, you can start building your credit when you turn 18.
If you were born in the US…
…you'd have years of credit history linked to your SSN.
Newcomers, however, face a unique challenge: you don't have a US credit score yet, and you don't have an SSN by default. This is true even if you have a high income or perfect credit score back home.
To get an SSN, you have to apply through the Social Security Administration, but here is where many people get tripped up: the application requires a physical US mailing address to send the card to.
This creates a frustrating cycle:
You need an SSN to pass the credit check for an apartment.
But you need an address to receive your SSN.
Fortunately, you don't have to stay stuck in this loop. Depending on your budget and how quickly you need to move in, there are three main paths you can take to secure a long-term apartment without a pre-existing US credit history.
Path 1
Use a guarantor
A guarantor co-signs your lease and legally agrees to cover your rent if you can't. Most newcomers use a paid guarantor service (Insurent, TheGuarantors, Rhino) for a one-time fee of about 10% of their annual rent.
Quickest, but you'll usually pay for a guarantor service.
Path 2
Find a flexible landlord
A smaller set of landlords will still accept applicants based on income and savings despite limited credit history. This is often in exchange for a larger security deposit or a couple of months of rent paid upfront if their state allows it.
No guarantor needed, but only a small pool of landlords accept this — and some states limit how much you can pay upfront.
Path 3
Build US credit while in temporary housing
Spend 3–6 months somewhere temporary (a sublet, monthly Airbnb, or with friends) while you get your SSN and build US credit. Then apply with your own credit score, like a US citizen.
Slowest path, but cheapest long-term and opens every landlord to you.
02 Broker?
Do you really need a broker?
Being an immigrant doesn't automatically mean you need a broker. Many immigrant-focused brokers will tell you they know which landlords work with newcomers, and that's often true. But in most states, you'll pay roughly one month of rent in broker fees for that introduction. Whether the fee is worth it depends on your situation.
Why we cancelled our broker when we moved to NYC in 2025
We started our own apartment search with a broker. After a weekend of tours, we cancelled and found a beautiful apartment in Manhattan on our own. Three reasons:
Freedom to search anywhere. Brokers mostly show you neighborhoods they already know, where their listings are concentrated.
No hidden pressure. It's hard not to feel rushed when the person guiding you only gets paid if you sign a lease.
Around $4,000 saved. Broker fees in NYC are typically one month of rent. On a $4,000-a-month apartment, that's $4,000 we kept by handling the search ourselves.
When a broker is genuinely worth it
If you're picking your apartment from abroad and can't tour in person, a broker is one of the best uses of your money. They can visit on your behalf, vouch for the building, and catch the things photos and video tours won't show you.
Heads up: searching yourself doesn't always avoid the fee
Brokers also post apartments on Zillow, StreetEasy, and Apartments.com. If you tour with them, the fee still applies. Look for a No fee label on the listing — that means the landlord is either renting directly or paying the broker themselves.
03 Your documents
Documents you'll use to apply
When you submit a rental application in the US, landlords want to verify three things: who you are, that you can afford the rent, and your track record as a renter.
Below are the documents you'll use to prove each — some are required for every application, others are optional or only needed in specific situations. Where it helps, we've included downloadable templates and useful links.
SettleKit Tip: Start prepping before you arrive.
Most of these documents can be gathered from your home country. In competitive housing markets, the applicant who is quick to respond to a landlord with the right documents usually wins the apartment.
Always required
These documents are required for every rental application.
Passport (photo page + US visa stamp)
A clear PDF including your photo page and the visa stamp page. Landlords use this as your main proof of identity.
Employer offer letter
An official letter from your employer on company letterhead, including your salary, start date, and HR contact. If you don't have a US job yet, you can use the income statement template instead.
Last 3 months of bank statements
You can download these as PDFs from your online banking. Foreign banks are fine — it doesn't have to be a US account. Landlords want to see you have enough cash on hand to cover the first month's rent, the security deposit, and a few months of buffer.
Last 2 pay stubs
The two most recent pay stubs (statements showing your earnings and deductions) from your US employer. You can skip this if you haven't started working yet — the offer letter covers it.
Good to have
Strengthens your application. Some landlords ask, others don't.
I-94 admission record
An official record of your US entry, generated automatically by US Customs and Border Protection when you arrived (it shows your visa status and how long you're allowed to stay). Most large landlords don't ask for it, but smaller independent landlords sometimes do. It's easy to download, so it's worth having ready just in case.
Credit report
If you have a US credit history, you can get a free report from annualcreditreport.com. Don't worry if you don't yet.
Renter cover letter
A short letter to include with every application — three lines about who you are, why you're moving, and what makes you a low-risk tenant.
Only if a landlord asks
Bring these only when a specific landlord requests them.
Reference letters (rare)
A letter from a previous landlord or a professional contact who can vouch for you. Common for NYC co-ops (special buildings where existing owners must approve new residents) and smaller independent landlords; rarely required by the big rental companies that run apartment complexes.
Pet documents
Only relevant if you have a pet. Have ready their most recent vet record (vaccinations and spay/neuter status) and a one-page info sheet with breed, weight, age, and training. Heads up: some landlords forbid certain breeds (e.g. German Shepherds), so check before you tour.
04 Your city
What to know about your city
Every city has its own rules: deposit caps, broker norms, application-fee limits, season. Pick the city you're moving to above to see what applies there.
05 Neighborhoods
Explore neighborhoods
The map scores each neighborhood by distance to the amenities you care about. Add or remove preferences below to change what counts — warmer colored zones are the better matches.
06 Find listings
How to find listings and avoid scams
Finding a long-term rental is often one of the most stressful parts of settling into a new city. This pressure is often made worse by the fact that newcomers are unfortunately prime targets for rental scams, especially when you're still figuring out which platforms are legitimate and what prices are actually normal for the area. To have success during this stage, it's important to know where to focus your energy and which red flags to watch out for.
Reputable platforms
- Zillow
- Apartments.com
- Realtor.com
- Direct through property management companies
- Employer relocation programs
- University off-campus housing boards
Red flags
- Asked to wire money before viewing the unit
- Rent is significantly below market rate
- Landlord is “overseas” and can't do an in-person showing
- Pressure to sign or pay immediately
General Rule: If a listing seems too good to be true (or anything else just feels wrong), walk away.
Ready to apply with confidence? Build a personalized renting plan tailored to your visa, your city, and your timeline.
This guide is based on publicly available research and is intended for general informational purposes only — it is not legal advice. Rental laws, requirements, and processes vary significantly by state and city, and can change over time. When in doubt, consult a local tenant's rights organization or a licensed attorney.
Sources used in this guide: