Renting a apartment???

Question

What is required of one who is seeking to rent a apartment? I have heard that credit checks and job history is something a leasing agent considers. How long should your credit and job history be? I do not have much credit established and am looking to move out later this year, but may need a co-signer. I really do not know much about this whole apartment procedure. Advice and info would be much appreciated...Thanks!

Answer 1

When I screen the applicant, I first disqualify the one that has history of eviction and criminal record. I also check the court record to see if they tend to sue people for money (those will be out, too)

Then I look for : gross income (has to be 3x of the rent), credit score (any bad debts). The credit score does not has to be perfect but I expect an explanation of bad debt and will forgive those already arranged a payment plan with the creditors. Work history is not too big deal. Just a job for 3 months or more is fine. I don't like co-signer at all.

Answer 2

When I've gone to get approved for an apartment, they checked my employment status, salary (needed copies of last two paychecks) to make sure I could pay the rent and they also ran a criminal and rental history as well as credit check on me. I don't know of the time frames for credit check, how long you've needed credit, but I would think the longer the better. I would also try to provide them with any contact numbers to previous renters so they can check and see with the previous management company or owners if you paid your bills on time.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

A smart landlord looks for:

good credit

good job

a track record of saving money each month

If you have those , you are in.  If not, you have some explaining to do.  I don't like co-signers at all.  (I'm a landlord).  I want to know if you will pay me on time every month. Can you do that? /

Answer 4

Most apartment management folks want to make sure they are renting to a person that can pay the rent, month after month, after month. If you have good credit (they'll probably run a credit check on you), and have a secure job (one that you've held for some period of time), I'm sure they will rent to you. Now, on your part, once you have found what you think is the ideal apartment, look at the cars in the parking lot. This will tell you a lot about the kinds of neighbors you will have. Talk to the local police about the kinds of responses they have had to make at the apartment complex. Take a "walk-thru" of the apartment you want to rent, making sure all electrical outlets and lights work; all faucets work and have plenty of hot water. Is the apartment freshly painted? Are the carpets clean??? I'm telling you this out of my own ignorance, cuz it ain't gonna happen to me again!!! I hate my place, but I'm locked into a year of misery!

Answer 5

some places it doesnt matter. simply the fact that you have a job will suffice. but i'd say at least having the job for 6 months or longer.

you never know because each apartment place is different.