Would you rent an apartment to me? (renters, insurance)

[sunflowers&curls]

So like the question says, would you rent an apartment to me based on everything I've stated? I'm a 19 year old student and would be moving into an apartment with a roommate. Here are the technical problems that I have with the rental situation:

1. I have no credit (which is important when trying to rent an apartment)
2. I'm no longer working because I went back to school
3. My salary is limited (goes with number 2)
4. I have a rental history, but it's my mom...

Now here are my ways of clearing of these red flags on my rental application:

1. My parents offered to help me get a credit card that I'll be required to pay off monthly so it can help build up my credit. Not to mention, if I were to get this apartment, with my name on the lease, it would go on my credit as well (as long as I pay on time) and paying utilities.

2 & 3: With me and my roommate both being students, we'd have to get a cosigner and in that case, her mom offered to cosign for us . Also, my parents would be paying my part of the rent while I was in school and my roommate would be using her scholarship money to pay her part of the rent along with a part-time job.

4: Although my mom is technically my landlord, I have been paying her monthly rent for about 3-4 years now including utilities and doing minor cosmetic work around her house (painting, tech support, landscaping/gardening, and general cleaning) which is totally acceptable because I'm staying in her house.

In reference to number 4, would a potential landlord/leasing agency not look at my rental history as legitimate because it's my mom? Even though I've been paying rent, utilities, and work around her house?

Long story short, would you rent to me?

[froglipz]

Sure I would rent to you if you would pay cash up front for an entire year.

[sunflowers&curls]

That could be done. So there's no chance of an apartment renting to me even with a cosigner and proof that the rent would be on time? I know that we all have to start somewhere, but how can I start if no one is willing to take a chance on me?

[Mattie]

Somebody has to be able to guarantee the rent payments. If you have a credit-worthy co-signer, I don't see the problem. Landlords have been renting to college students forever. A co-signer is the norm.

OP, be careful with the roommate situation. You would be better off getting separate leases while you are students. Again, it's the norm.

[sunflowers&curls]

Originally Posted by Mattie

Somebody has to be able to guarantee the rent payments. If you have a credit-worthy co-signer, I don't see the problem. Landlords have been renting to college students forever. A co-signer is the norm.

OP, be careful with the roommate situation. You would be better off getting separate leases while you are students. Again, it's the norm.

Thanks for your answer! My roommate's mother has offered to cosign for us and my parents are pretty reliable when it comes to bill and mortgage payments, so when they offered to pay my part of the rent, I couldn't turn it down. I'll definitely look into separate leases. I honestly never knew you could have separate leases (forgive my ignorance), but from when we both went and talked to the potential apartment leaser/landlord, my roommate seems to have an amazing background and rental history (i.e. rent paid on time or early, great credit score, a good tenant/neighbor in her previous apartment(s), the works)! But I'll still look into separate leases.

[sunflowers&curls]

I should also add, should I write a letter explaining my situation (being a student, rental history, or just general information about my application)?

[ATLTJL]

Just get your parents to co-sign for you. If you have your own lease, you'll probably need that, unless your friend's parents are willing to co-sign for you on your own lease.

Eviction is pretty easy in Georgia. If you ever don't pay your rent, expect to see your lock changed and your stuff on the street in less than a month. Don't let it happen!

[Mattie]

The separate leases is common in buildings that rent to college students. It protects the other parties should one roommate drop out or bail. But it does mean you each need a co-signer, so if your parents aren't willing or able to do that, then you may have to go without.

Are you applying to a building that normally rents to students? None of my kids ever wrote a letter, they just filled out the application, and we signed the agreement to guarantee the payments. It was very straightforward.

[Ohky0815]

Originally Posted by sunflowers&curls

1. I have no credit (which is important when trying to rent an apartment) People do rent with no credit. NO credit is better than bad.
2. I'm no longer working because I went back to school Thats going to be a BIG problem, co signer or not
3. My salary is limited (goes with number 2) Limited is fine, NONE is quite different
4. I have a rental history, but it's my mom... Not going to count

They pay your rent, but what about other bills? Who is going to pay your cable, electric, gas, insurance, renters insurance, etc? You cant out that ALL on a credit card or your roomies part time job or her scholarship.

This is really not an ideal situation to rent an apartment under.

[sunflowers&curls]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

Just get your parents to co-sign for you. If you have your own lease, you'll probably need that, unless your friend's parents are willing to co-sign for you on your own lease.

Eviction is pretty easy in Georgia. If you ever don't pay your rent, expect to see your lock changed and your stuff on the street in less than a month. Don't let it happen!

Oh yeah, I know. I've been born and raised here. I know the deal with evictions and rent payments and whatnot...it'd just be my first time on my own. I'll definitely be looking into a separate lease.