How To Rent An Apartment With Bad Credit

January 23rd, 2012 by Caitlin Morgan| Posted in Apartment Guide, Finding Your Apartment, Low Income and Section 8 Apartments, Rent vs Buy | 17 Comments »

Although good credit comes in handy, it’s not the only factor that landlords use to decide whether or not to rent to you.  To understand how to beat a bad credit rap, you need to understand why landlords check credit in the first place:  they want to know if you will pay your rent in a timely fashion.  There are other ways to demonstrate your trustworthiness.

If a landlord requires a credit report, ask to provide it yourself.  Too many “hard inquiries,” requests for your score from people other than yourself, can lower your score.  Additionally, you should attach a letter to your reports, explaining past financial hardship that resulted in a less-than-stellar number, and how those issues have been resolved so they will not affect your current ability to pay rent.

If possible, also attach a letter of recommendation from your previous landlord.  In most cases, such a recommendation will mean much more than a simple score.  And property managers want conscientious tenants, so the effort of providing extra documentation might win you points.

Know your credit history, and be aware of how it has affected your current score; as the saying goes, forewarned is forearmed.  Every year, you’re entitled to one free credit report from the three biggest credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.  The TrueCredit 3-in-1 Credit Report will tell you whether these bureaus have reported your scores differently and how each calculates your score.  Knowing these numbers ahead of time will prevent any surprise questions from a potential landlord, and may also help you understand how to build good credit going forward.

Another strategy to avoid rejection is to search for apartments whose managers don’t require credit checks.  Smaller apartments and single family homes, especially in non-competitive areas, are most likely to rent without a credit score.

Finally, it’s important to remember that most landlords don’t have a particular, deal-breaking score in mind.  It might take more time or further explaining, but if you’re proactive about your apartment search, you should be able to rent…even if your credit leaves something to be desired.

Have you been able to secure a rental with less-than-perfect credit?  Tell others how–here or on Facebook!

17 Responses to “How To Rent An Apartment With Bad Credit”

  1. Doretta Reavessays:
    January 23, 2012 at 7:36 pm

    I need to rent an apartment or house before the lst of March 2012 for me and my daughter. Please help us throught this trranstion. My credit is not so good. Thanks

    Reply
  2. Earlene Harrissays:
    January 24, 2012 at 11:57 am

    I lost my job over 2 years ago I applied for unemployement but i had a overpayment so i didnot have a income for 9 months and could not pay my rent i had to file a chapter 7 and move back home with my mother please give me advise on how can i get a apartment.

    Reply
  3. nancy hunnewellsays:
    January 24, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    It is really hard and unfair

    Reply
  4. loftssays:
    January 26, 2012 at 10:27 am

    Having a letter of recommendation will help and also monitoring your credit score will help you be prepared

    Reply
  5. Tracysays:
    January 29, 2012 at 7:44 pm

    My credit isn’t good but I really need 2 find a place of our own for me & my 3 boy’s please help us.

    Reply
  6. Kelly Hinessays:
    January 31, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    I was living in Eagle Nest Apartments and got forced out and need a place for me and my dog. I have been on my job for over a year and kept my rent paid. Please help me get a apartment. I’m going from house to house right now.

    Reply
  7. Katherine Barkersays:
    March 20, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    I am in need of a low income place of my own for me and my son by May 1, 2012 please help

    Reply
  8. Christina R. Gastineausays:
    March 30, 2012 at 10:39 am

    I am looking for a fresh start with finding a job and renting an appartment. I just need help with not having to live in my dad’s home and struggling with finding it on line. If anyone knowing what it is like to start your life on the right track a mother in her late thrirties finding a place to live and a job with a long distances relationship and being a great mother with my two boys every other weekend. I just hope and pray that this will be a new way of moving on with this new life doing it with god helping me along.

    Reply
  9. Ruth Gonzalezsays:
    April 23, 2012 at 6:54 pm

    I need to get away from my boyfriend. I have an order of protection (refrain from) Financially I can not leave. I have some $ saved and just got a job. Therefore, I need to find an apartment that allows 2 indoor cats that are sisters. My goal is getting out of this mess by May 1st or May 15th. Please help me.

    Reply
  10. Ruth Gonzalezsays:
    April 23, 2012 at 7:04 pm

    Please help me find an apartment. I have an order of protection (refrain from) and feel tramped finanically. Thank God I just found a job, and I have some $ saved. Want out ASAP. Since I have 2 indoor cats I’m limited. please help me get out of this mess.
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Julia Erlandsonsays:
      April 24, 2012 at 3:31 pm

      Hi Ruth,

      Where are you located? If you go to http://www.mynewplace.com/ep/pet-friendly-apartments and type in your city or zip code, you’ll get a list of apartments that allow pets (you can select cats specifically). Once you type in your city/zip code, you can also choose different price ranges and types of apartments. Please let us know if you need any help using the site. Hope you’re able to find a place soon — stay safe.

      Reply
  11. Beverly Harrissays:
    April 29, 2012 at 4:35 pm

    Need to rent a 2-bedroom apt. with section-8 hud assistance voucher

    Reply
    • Julia Erlandsonsays:
      April 30, 2012 at 9:13 am

      Hi Beverly,

      Where are you located? If you go to http://www.mynewplace.com/ep/cheap-apartment-for-rent and type in your city or zip code, you’ll get a list of below-market-rate properties in your area, including those that accept Section 8. On that screen, you can narrow the list down by selecting 2 bedrooms only. You can also use the “Check Availability” button to contact landlords and ask them specific questions about apartments or whether they accept Section 8 vouchers. Let us know if you need any help using the site!

      Reply
  12. josephsays:
    May 10, 2012 at 9:07 am

    i need to rent apartment with my daught please help me

    Reply
    • Julia Erlandsonsays:
      May 10, 2012 at 10:09 am

      Hi Joseph,

      Where are you located? If you go to http://www.mynewplace.com and enter your city or zip code, you’ll get a list of available apartments in your area. You can also narrow your search by choosing number of bedrooms, price range, etc. Let us know if you need any help using the site!

      Julia

      Reply
  13. Sugar glidersays:
    May 11, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    Wow, incredible weblog format! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging glance easy. The full glance of your web site is magnificent, let alone the content material!

    Reply

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