What is commonly required before entering into a lease agreement?

When entering into a lease agreement, it is standard practice for landlords or property management companies to require various pieces of information to assess the suitability of the potential tenant. This ensures that both parties are protected and helps in making an informed decision.

The requirement for financial history is significant because it provides an overview of the tenant's financial stability and ability to pay rent consistently. A thorough understanding of a potential tenant's previous rental agreements can also help the landlord gauge reliability and past behavior as a tenant. Furthermore, conducting a credit check is a vital step in assessing the tenant's creditworthiness, which reflects their history of managing debt and makes a determination about their likelihood of fulfilling rent obligations.

Collectively, these requirements create a holistic view of the tenant's financial behavior and rental history, enabling the landlord to make a careful selection. Therefore, the correct answer encompasses all these aspects, highlighting the importance of comprehensive tenant evaluation before finalizing a lease agreement.