Credit Checks and Rentals?

Question

I am going through a real estate office to rent an apartment that is a complex in NJ. The real estate office asked to do a credit check. My husband has fair credit and I have fair credit but with a judgement. It does show that Ive made consistant car payments and credit card payments both on his and mine, Ive never been late with rent nor recieved any eviction notices or have any criminal background. My question is should I submit my husbands credit? Or mine? He was not with me when I had that judgement. And its still on my experian since 1999! Ugh. Can someone give me some positive feedback/

Answer 1

Try just using your husband's credit.  I mean, it's not like you're buying a house, they don't check that hard I don't think.

Answer 2

Submit both of your credit checks. They will see the judgment was almost 10 years ago and take it into consideration.  

Answer 3

if you two are married they're going to run a credit check on both of you anyway, probably, whether or not you want it.  positive enough?

Answer 4

If both of your names will be on the lease they will check both of your credit history.

Let them run it and they will let you know where you stand. Sometimes even with credit not being so good but you always paid your rent on time, they will still rent to you. Depends on the agency.

Sometimes if credit is bad they will ask for larger deposits, first, last months rent etc.

Answer 5

It's become pretty standard for rental companies to run a credit check on all applicants - some are pickier than others and they all have different rules.  

First of all, although most negative history falls off your credit report after 7 years, judgments can stay on your credit file for longer than 7 years.  

If the rental agency will allow it, apply for the apartment with just your husband's information, since he doesn't have a judgment on his credit file.  Some companies require all parties to pass a credit check, meaning you may have to allow them to run your credit.  Rest assured,  you very likely will be fine (unless this is a VERY fancy complex) - if you have a positive payment history for at least 2 years (and considering that your judgment is so old) and a decent credit score (hopefully above 650) you will likely be fine.  But again, it all depends on the rental company.