How Many Rental Applications Should I Submit? (And Why More Isn’t Always Better)

If you’re trying to secure a rental in Australia, it might feel like the best approach is to apply for as many properties as possible. After all, more applications should mean more chances... right?

Not exactly.

While it’s understandable to cast a wide net, submitting too many rental applications, especially without a clear plan can actually make things harder, not easier. In this article, we break down why volume isn’t everything, and what really helps renters get approved.

The Common Belief: “Just Apply Everywhere”

When renters feel stuck or rejected, it’s common to start applying for anything and everything.

Some apply for 15 or more properties in a single week, hoping to land just one. But what often follows is silence, repeated rejection, or no feedback at all.

It’s not a lack of effort that’s the problem. It’s that agents are looking for something else.

What Agents Actually See When You Apply

Agents usually manage multiple listings at once, each attracting dozens of applicants. When they open your application, they may not know how many others you’ve applied for, but they can still pick up on:

• Incomplete or rushed documentation

• Generic cover letters or inconsistent details

• A lack of preparation or clarity

• No supporting information or explanation

  
  

And here’s something many renters don’t realise: if you apply for multiple listings through the same agency, or even different agents in the same office, they’ll often notice.

Some agencies share information internally, and if your applications feel random or inconsistent, it can make a negative impression.

We break this down further in Why It’s So Hard to Get a Rental in Sydney Right Now and What You Can Do About It, including what agents actually look for.

When More Becomes Too Much

Submissions can quickly become a numbers game where quality drops. Renters often:

• Reuse the same rushed documents

• Miss important information because they’re applying too fast

• Lose track of who they’ve contacted

• Forget to follow up entirely

  
  

In some cases, this “apply everywhere” approach can come across as disorganised - or even desperate.

We talk more about how these patterns affect approval in Why Rental Applications Get Rejected and How to Avoid It.

Focus on Strategy, Not Speed

Submitting fewer strong applications is usually more effective than rushing through many.

A strong application is:

• Well-prepared and fully completed

• Tailored to the specific property

• Supported with accurate, clear documentation

• Submitted through a trusted or familiar party

Not sure which documents matter most? We explain it clearly in Rental Application Documents in NSW.

How Some Renters Are Getting Approved Faster

The game changes when renters stop applying alone and start applying with structure.

When your application comes from someone with experience, existing rental history, and an agent relationship, the entire tone shifts. Suddenly, it’s not about proving yourself. It’s about showing you’re part of a process agents already trust.

Final Thought

You don’t need to apply for 20 rentals. You need to apply the right way.

Focus on presenting a clear, complete application that gives agents confidence, even if you don’t have rental history or local references.

We explore this more in our post on getting approved without rental history, including what it really means and how much it matters.

Because in this market, it’s not about how many times you apply.

It’s about making each one count.

Want help submitting a stronger rental application?

We help renters stand out, avoid rejections, and secure homes without the stress.

See how it works at findmyhomeaus.com