Learn more about what it takes to get approved

What do Landlords want?

Property owners and managers do their best to maintain the value of their buildings. This doesn’t only mean fresh paint and landscaping.

The financial security of their tenants also has a major effect on their properties’ values. And even though each owner’s qualification process is different, there are some major similarities between each one.

To make sure they’re leasing to the right business, landlords typically use three tools to help them secure future value.

Here they are below…

1

Tax Returns

Tax returns show that your business works. The history of its revenue over the past two-to-three years also shows if your business is growing or shrinking.

2

Bank Statements

Property owners want to make sure that a rainy day won’t put you out of business. Having cash on hand, especially when establishing a new location, is crucial.

3

Credit Worthiness

A landlord wants to know: “Does this company follow through with its promises?”. Credit is the best way to analyze that.

What if you don’t have all three?

“Something’s missing alright”
— Mrs. Ross, Seinfeld

Each document is important. But not having all three major qualifying documents isn’t the end of the world.

Here’s how we explain it:

The Financing Pyramid

The Financing Pyramid is a way we can visualize the typical application requirements of a landlord. At a minimum, a tenant must have two of three qualifiers in good shape, in order to receive positive consideration.*

Bank Statements

Tax Returns

Credit Worthiness

If your credit is not ideal…


Then your landlord will likely want to feel more secure in their lease. This comes in the form of more cash up front, and proof of stable cashflow. In these situations, landlords also typically engage with the tenant directly, to hear an explanation for their situation.

If your bank statements (cash on hand) are not ideal…

Then having a proven concept (sales history) will help you overcome your landlord’s apprehension. A great business/personal credit score could also be a strong contributing factor. To overcome a low cash position, some tenants obtain a letter of credit or utilize a guaranty.

If your tax returns (sales history) are not ideal…

Then proving that you follow through on your commitments is important. This comes in the form of personal/business credit. A larger security deposit is another way to improve your position. (For start-up companies with no sales history, personal tax returns may be helpful information to provide, as well)

*Important Note: There is no standardized approval process. This language is generalized for simplicity. Each property owner and manager are different, and will have different requirements. The information above is specifically encompassing the most commonly-requested information - which is what we use to pre-screen tenants. For properties in high demand, or with risk-averse landlords, having only two qualifiers may not be enough. In some cases, having only one piece of qualification may be enough. Each situation is unique.

What is the cost?

We charge a one-time fee for each pre-approval. This means for just $295, you will receive...
  • Improved leverage
  • Increased financial privacy
  • Decision-making certainty
  • A competitive edge against other tenants

$295

One Time Fee

After securely uploading your documents, we will send you an invoice via e-mail to pay our one-time fee.

Once that’s complete, we will send you your pre-approval document within 24 hours.

What else could landlords ask for?

(We only need the three documents above)

A Business History

Showing longevity and experience in your industry may be important to your landlord.

Dun & Bradstreet Profile

The business world’s credit bureau. A D-U-N-S number with a historical track record is also a great way to strengthen your case.

Credit References

Bank, former landlord, and vendor references are another way landlords will vet their tenants.

Balance Sheets

Some landlords ask for the balance sheets of the business instead of a tax return.

Personal Financial Statements

Occasionally, the owner (or all of the guarantors) may be asked to provide financial statements to show strength.