Currently applying for apartments and have some co-applicant/resident questions?

Question

My girlfriend and I are currently in search of an apartment. We are looking to just sign me onto the lease because my credit is the best and she would be staying as a resident but when filling out the paper work it asks for Gross Monthly Income I am trying to figure out whether or not I need to put MY income or OUR income even though she isnt going to be an applicant.

If she must be an applicant inorder for the GMI to be considered 'accurate' if my credit is good but her credit is bad what happens from there on? Will we be turned down due to her bad credit or what? (a little background) She just got out of a marriage and her husband owned the house they lived in but her name was tied to it for tax reasons, he leaves and the house forecloses. Because of her previous foreclosure will that hurt us in our search?

Thanks

Answer 1

I do not want to be pessimist but  if I was you I will put your income and not heirs, reason, not only bad credit but what if you guys separate in the future who do you think it will stay in the apartment? but if you live in California it won't matter because if you lead a person spend Une night  at your place and they do not want to leave by law you have to give them a 30 day notice so good luck to you to, and just get the apartment on your name and if you get it, you can ad her later as a tenant.

Answer 2

Most landlords require all adults to fill out applications. Credit, court & criminal checks are done an all applicants.

In most cases, you would not be able to only have her listed as an occupant on the lease. She would have to be a joint tenant.

Generally, if one does not meet the landlord's written criteria, then both are rejected.

The landlord can, at his discretion ask for a larger deposit to consider renting to you based on her credit history.

Answer 3

All people over the age of 18 years have to be listed on the application.  A credit check will be run on both parties and they have to pay for the reports.

What I use to do if one person credit was poor I would require a larger security deposit.  At the end of the year if they paid their rent on time, I would return the extra security deposit and re-write a new rental agreement.  I would not run another credit check.

In your case I probably would require two months rent paid in advanced plus the regular security deposit.

Answer 4

So you have the good credit but you need both your incomes to afford the place.  In that case I'd just fill out applications for you both.  They'll run her credit and yours and with her bad credit that will hurt you, but since your credit is good maybe that'll be enough for you to get a place.  You can't use her income without her being an applicant so go ahead and do it this way and hope for the best.  You could explain it to them before filling out the application and they should be able to give you some idea as to whether they will be ok giving you a place or not.