What Is a Rental CV?
A rental CV — sometimes called a tenant profile, renter resume, or rental portfolio — is a one-to-two page document that summarises who you are as a tenant. It sits alongside your formal application form and gives the property manager a quick, professional overview of your background.
Unlike a job résumé, a rental CV is not about your career achievements. It is about demonstrating that you are a reliable, financially stable, and considerate tenant who will look after the property and pay rent on time.
Why Bother?
In competitive rental markets like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, many applicants submit identical 1Form or 2Apply applications with the same fields filled in. A well-presented rental CV helps you stand out — it shows initiative and professionalism, and it makes the property manager's job easier.
Some agents actively look for them. Others may not have seen one before, but they will appreciate it.
What to Include
Personal Details
- Full name, phone number, and email address
- Current suburb (not your full address)
- Number of occupants and their relationship to you (e.g., partner, housemate)
- Whether you have pets (breed, size, and temperament)
Employment and Income
- Current employer, job title, and length of employment
- Employment type (full-time, part-time, casual, self-employed)
- Approximate weekly or annual income
- If self-employed: ABN, business name, and a brief description of your work
Rental History
- Previous addresses (suburb and state is sufficient), with approximate dates
- Name and contact details of each previous property manager or landlord
- Reason for leaving each property
References
- Two to three references who can speak to your character and reliability
- At least one should be a previous landlord or property manager
- Include their name, relationship to you, and contact number
Supporting Documents (listed, not attached in the CV itself)
- 100 points of ID
- Payslips or bank statements (last three months)
- Employment contract or letter from employer
- Bond refund history (if available)
- Pet references (if applicable)
Format Tips
Keep it clean and easy to scan. Use a simple two-column layout or a clear heading structure. Avoid photos unless you are specifically asked to include one. Save it as a PDF before attaching.
One to two pages is the right length. Anything longer will not be read in full.
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Why It Hurts | |---|---| | Leaving rental history blank | Raises red flags about previous tenancies | | Listing references who haven't been asked | Catches references off-guard, leading to poor responses | | Using a job résumé format | Includes irrelevant information and misses key rental details | | Submitting a Word document | Formatting may break on different devices |
Get a Professional Tenant Profile
Rental Buddy prepares a complete tenant profile as part of every application package. We know what Sydney property managers look for, and we present your information in the format that gets results. View our packages to get started.