Trying to rent a house, worried about credit check?

Question

Hello... my boyfriend and I are trying to find a place together... and I am very concerned because every place we want to live requires a credit check. My credit BAD right now... I am going through a divorce and basically after my ex and I split, my credit took a dive. I am worried that they won't let me rent because I have so much negative credit. On the flip side, my boyfriend has excellent credit. He is also a firefighter and makes very good money. What do you think are the odds that we would be allowed to rent a place?

Thanks much

Answer 1

No, you can explain.   Tell the landlord when you divorced.   They can actually see on the credit report that prior to that date you payed your bills on time.   It is very obvious, the record will be loaded with good reports, followed by bad.   If your bad credit really is strictly divorce related it is easy to demonstrate, just as it is easy to show that you are presently paying your bills.

You will be OK, just explain in advance.

Answer 2

If you live in the Dallas TX. I have some rental properties you might be interested and I do not require credit check. I can feel your pain. [e-mail]

Answer 3

There are many people that will take your explanation of the situation into consideration when you apply.  Your best chance is to look for what we call "mom & pop" landlords.  Individuals who own one or two properties and manage them on their own without a Property Manager.  Most property management firms will turn you down because of bad credit.  Also, offer to pay increased security deposit (maximum allowed in California is 2 times the monthly rent on an unfurnished rental).  That will usually make a landlord feel a little more secure about a bad credit situation.