Kempt
In short
Landlords and property managers in the US usually ask for a photo ID, recent pay stubs (often the last two or three), recent bank statements, and sometimes a tax return or W-2, an employment letter and references. Each one asks differently, so read their list carefully. Kempt reads the landlord’s email, finds each requested document on your Mac and assembles the packet.
Without any app
Copy their exact list
Paste the landlord’s email into a note and turn each requested item into a line. Don’t send extra personal documents they didn’t ask for.
Gather the latest versions
Recent pay stubs, the latest statements and a valid ID. Check dates: many ask for the last 30 to 90 days.
Name and merge
Name each file clearly (“Pay stub 2026-09.pdf”), then in Preview drag pages together to make one PDF if they want a single file.
Hide what isn’t needed
Black out account numbers they don’t need using Preview’s Redact tool before sending.
With Kempt
Paste their email
“What they asked” reads the request and lists each item. On real published lists it read 25 out of 25 items.
It finds each document
Every line is matched to a document on your Mac, with the most recent one first. Missing items are flagged.
Ready to send
Export a merged PDF or share by Mail or AirDrop. Kempt can also remind you when a dossier is getting out of date.
$39 once, 14 days freeRuns on every Apple silicon MacA question? Ask a person
Questions people ask
What documents do I need to rent an apartment in the US?
Typically photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs, an offer letter or tax returns), recent bank statements and references. Requirements vary by landlord and state.
How many pay stubs do landlords ask for?
Often two or three of the most recent. Follow the landlord’s own list.
Is it safe to keep these documents in an app?
Kempt keeps them as ordinary files on your Mac and never uploads them.
What documents do self-employed people need to rent an apartment?
Usually recent tax returns, 1099s or a profit-and-loss statement, and several months of bank statements instead of pay stubs. Ask the landlord for their exact list.
How should I email my rental application documents?
Send one merged PDF with a clear name, documents in the order they asked for, and account numbers they don’t need blacked out. Kempt exports the packet in that order.