Finding an apartment to rent after going through a bankruptcy can be a challenge, but its definitely possible. In this economy, so many people have lost jobs or have had their incomes reduced that landlords cant afford to be quite as selective as they were in the past regarding potential tenants credit.
If youre in the situation of needing to find a place to live and are worried about how your bankruptcy will impact your apartment search, here are ten tips that I hope will make your search easier.
1) Be up-front and honest about your situation with your potential landlord
Unless its a property that doesnt run credit checks (which is rare), chances are they will find out you filed for bankruptcy. If you explain that you had financial difficulties in the past, but took steps to resolve the situation, have a job (or proof of steady income) and are able to show youve been responsible with your financial obligations since your bankruptcy, it might be enough to convince them to give you a chance. The longer it has been since your bankruptcy, the better your odds, assuming your financial situation has improved and youre not falling behind on any bills again.
2) Rent from a private property owner
It may be easier to rent an apartment from a private owner instead of a complex run by a management company that often have stricter rules regarding credit and income. You can find private listings on sites such as Craigslist, Padmapper.com, Hotpads.com, in local newspapers or even by looking for For Rent signs in windows in the neighborhood youre looking in.
3) Use your past rental history
If youve rented in the past and are able to show you were a good tenant and paid your rent on time, make sure to point this out in your application or interview with a potential landlord.
4) Offer a larger security deposit
For someone just coming out of a bankruptcy, this one wont always be possible, but if you are able to put together enough money for a larger security deposit, this can sometimes increase your chances of getting approved. If the apartment requests one months security deposit, offer two months or more.
5) Have a job and proof of income
Be sure to bring your current pay stubs or some type of proof of your monthly income when you apply to rent. If you have the type of job where you income varies month-to-month, its best to have something in writing from your employer or HR department to give the landlord. If you are self-employed, bring current bank statements.
6) References
Put together a list of people you know well and are willing to provide a reference for you. They can be past landlords, current or past employers, business associates, or even personal references. The more people who are willing to vouch for you, the better.
7) Find no-credit check apartments
Search online for no-credit check apartments in your area. They do exist, although they may or may not be the kind of apartment you want to live in. Be sure to check these places out in person as well as online before you consider applying.
cool Look for rentals near a college or university
Landlords in these areas rent to students with little or no credit history on a regular basis and they just might be more lenient about your credit. Although these locations may not appeal to you if youre not a college-aged person, consider it a temporary situation. Once your finances and credit improves, youll be in a better position to move elsewhere.
9) Have a co-signer
If all else fails, see if you can find someone with good credit to co-sign your lease. Unless you are very certain you will be able to make your rent for the length of the lease, it is better not to go this route and risk losing a relationship with your co-signer if you cant keep up with your payments.
10) Be proactive about improving your credit right now
Just because you had to declare bankruptcy doesnt mean your credit is ruined forever. If you begin taking steps to improve your credit immediately after bankruptcy, your credit score will start to reflect the positive results. The sooner you bring up your credit score, the easier it will be to get into the http://gresdodomu.pl/ogrzewanie-podlogowe-w-lazience/ apartment you want.
For more detailed information on this subject, check out my Hubs Easy Ways to Rebuild Your Credit After Bankruptcy, How To Get a Good FICO Score After Bankruptcy and Best Secured Credit Cards After Bankruptcy.
