Bank statements for an apartment application: what to hide
Applying to rent in the US? What landlords usually look for in bank statements, how to hide account numbers and private transactions, and red flags to watch.
Updated · 2 min read
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Open Bank statementThe short answer
Landlords who ask for bank statements are usually checking that you have steady income and enough money for rent and a deposit. Keep your name, the bank name, the statement period, balances and income deposits visible. Cover the full account number (leaving the last 4 is common), and ask before hiding individual transactions, since some landlords want to see the whole statement.
What to keep and what to cover
| Detail | Usually |
|---|---|
| Your name and statement dates | Keep |
| Bank name | Keep |
| Opening and closing balances | Keep |
| Paycheck and other income deposits | Keep |
| Full account number | Cover, or keep the last 4 |
| Routing number | Cover if not needed |
| Card numbers | Cover |
| Personal transactions (medical, family, purchases) | Ask: some landlords accept this, others don't |
Covering everyday transactions can look like you're hiding something, so be upfront. Saying "I've covered my account number and personal purchases; balances and deposits are complete" avoids most questions.
Redact your statements
- Download the statement PDFs from your bank. Open Redact bank statement and drop them in. You can add up to 20 files at once.
- Account numbers, card numbers, email and phone are covered by default. Your address is covered too, so untick it if the landlord wants to see it.
- Leave amounts and balances visible. Drag boxes over any transactions you've agreed to hide.
- Export as one combined PDF. Pages are rebuilt from pixels, metadata is removed and the file is checked for anything still readable.
Sending pay stubs or W-2s with the application? Redact W-2 keeps wages visible while covering your SSN.
Red flags in the request
- Statements before a viewing. Rental scams often ask for documents and a deposit for a place you haven't seen. Verify the listing and the landlord first.
- Requests for login details. Never share your online banking password. A statement PDF is enough for most applications.
- Unredacted copies by text or personal email. Ask whether there's an application portal instead.
Keep a record of which landlords received your statements, and ask unsuccessful applications to delete them.
For a deeper look at account numbers specifically, see How to hide the account number in a bank statement.
Questions
How many months of statements do landlords want?
It varies by landlord and property manager, so check the application. Send only the months they ask for.
Will a landlord accept a redacted bank statement?
Many do if balances and income are visible. Some want the full statement, so ask before you send.