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During the past few years, the real estate market was weaker and landlords were willing to be more forgiving.

But now the market has tightened up and landlords are being more selective with who they do business with.

Jill Jordan of Halstead Property says that’s why credit scores and income history matter much more than ever.

"Landlords are in a position to be more selective, and there's a lot more competition for the same apartments," says Jordan.

But if your financials are not stellar, don’t give up. Farnoosh Torabi, financial expert and the author of "Psych Yourself Rich" says that knowing where you stand is a good place to start.

"Knowledge is power," says Torabi. "Knowing your credit score is the first and most important step so that you're not caught off guard. And if it's not perfect, be honest about it."

Torabi also added that potential homeowners should remember the credit score is just one ingredient.

There are some things you can do to prove to a landlord you are a reliable tenant.

According to Torabi, offering letters of recommendation from your employer and your previous landlord is one good way to establish credibility.

Paying three or six months rent up front and offering to arrange automatic payments from your bank account are other good ways to eliminate any doubt a landlord may have.

Torabi also suggests working with smaller landlords or individual owners. They may be more willing to work with buyers and understand difficult situations better than larger landlords.

It's also good to be upfront with any available information. Providing a landlord with a copy of a credit report before they even ask for it is always a good idea.

"The problem is as you are shopping around for a rental, many property agents will pull your credit score and every time you get your credit score pulled, that’s an inquiry that works against your credit score," says Torabi. "Multiple inquires will actually lower your credit score."

Put a packet together with all the necessary documents to avoid worsening the situation.

One last option is insurance. There are companies that will act as a financial backer or guarantor. It can be expensive, but it could be the key locking in a lease.