Once you find an apartment, the broker who worked with you will ask you to complete an application form. The application will have such important questions such as: "What is your income?" . You will have to write on the application a list of business and personal references, employer's references, bank and credit references. You may also have to show proof of income - W2 forms or tax returns. A deposit should accompany the signed application. If you are rejected, the deposit should be refunded. The real estate agency submit your application to a credit company which, in turn, does a thorough search on your credit rating. If you are a foreigner, you can request your home bank to provide you with an international bank reference. If the bank will not provide you with this, then you can offer to give the landlord extra months as a security deposit. Once you have built up a strong American credit rating, then the landlord will return this extra deposit, plus the interest earned, which should had been put in an escrow account under your name. The agency may telephone your employer for an oral recommendation. The agency checks if you have any "litigations" or outstanding debts on your credit cards, charge or credit cards. You are then asked to sign a lease. Be sure to know what comes with the apartment, such as air conditioners, refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, light fixtures etc. At the time of signing the lease, come prepared with 3 certified / bank checks. You will have to prepare: a check for the first month's rent, another for the security deposit and another check for the broker's commission. Presently, it is 15% of the first year's rent.