Offering above the asking price and paying rent in advance are just some of the ways renters are being forced to try to beat the competition to find a home, according to a leading real estate body. The number one tip for anyone looking for anything on craigslist is to never give a stranger money online. Scammers run listings on craigslist that require you to wire money in order to secure a rental. The best thing to do is never give anyone money unless you've seen the house or apartment in person and the individual seems trustworthy. Stand out from the pack. Stand out from the competition by adding a cover letter to your rental application. This small detail can greatly impact your chances of getting the apartment you want. Use your cover letter to showcase your personality and highlight why you’re the best tenant for the property. Look at the pics for a good example of the property and do a google image search. If it shows up in any place besides rental sites, bail. If it is listed in different rental sites, check the names and contact numbers. It is easy for the scammer to take info, address and copy and paste the images. Craigslist provides local classifieds and forums for jobs, housing, for sale, services, local community, and events. Tenants are bearing the brunt of a housing supply crisis in the rental market, forcing them to compete fiercely over each and every property that comes to market. The number of enquiries each. Search for a rental by travel time. Having the money side of things in order can get you ahead. It’ll look good to the letting agent. Follow these six tips to give yourself an edge over other renters and achieve your goal. In a competitive rental market, you’ll need to do quite a bit more than simply fill out an application and put down a deposit. Since 2005, there has been “an uptick in renters, with people in their 50s and 60s making up the largest chunk of the increase. Get a leg up on the competition by ensuring that you have a good credit score. Leasing decision makers look at your total percent of credit available, so to prove your creditworthiness, pay.