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 [...]

Here are some important things to remember:  although good credit is definitely useful as some landlords require credit checks, bad credit does NOT mean you won’t be able to find a place to rent.  There is not a magical minimum credit score that will open or close all doors.  Apartment landlords consider many factors when [...]

When I was young, I never understood why in Tommy Boy Chris Farley gets asked “Did you eat a lot of paint chips as a kid?”  Now, of course, I know it’s because in old houses, lead paint can poison inhabitants decades later, and cause brain damage in children.  The US government banned residential use [...]

Want to improve your housing karma? Consider donating to one of these housing charities. Times are tough for many of us right now, but there are many families who don’t have the resources to put a roof over their heads. Donating or volunteering can help you make a difference in the world and give your [...]

By MyNewPlace Guest Blogger, Ron Leshnower – About.com’s Apartment Living Expert! Most renters think about housing discrimination only if they believe they’ve experienced it. But it’s a good idea to become aware of housing discrimination basics when you conduct an apartment search and after you’ve signed a lease and have settled into your apartment. Knowing your rights can [...]

By MyNewPlace guest blogger, Ron Leshnower, About.com’s apartment living expert! Nearly every apartment dweller (and property owner!) can use some advice for resolving thorny rental issues and making the most of their apartment experience. Many renters look online for the help they need, and sometimes they succeed in finding reliable information and useful tips through [...]

Yesterday, an article appeared in the Boston Globe about President Barack Obama’s plan to use around $4 billion of economic stimulus money to create new affordable housing nationwide. According to the author, this marked a watershed movement as the new administration decidedly moves away from the “ownership society” initiatives of the Bush years. The plan [...]

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan released details on February 20th of a new plan designed to reach out to renters who are still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Although it has been over 3 and a half years since these hurricanes lambasted the gulf coast and displaced thousands of renters and [...]

In the interest of keeping apartment owners and management companies abreast of political events as well as reaching out to those renters searching for affordable housing, we wanted to pass along and summarize an issue under consideration in Washington that is poised to affect the housing rental industry. Last Wednesday the Senate Committee on Banking, [...]