Proof of steady income (pay stubs) in order to rent apartment?

[OhAcid]

Originally Posted by aragx6

Well it used to be a lot easier to get a job from out of state. Now you have to really want it and be willing to make sacrifices to do it.

There is a difference between a sacrifice and blatant stupidity. I can't seem to find any affordable short term apartments in Chicago, and I'm definitely not paying $1,000+ dollars for a one month stay in the short term rentals I have found. Would anybody happen to know of an affordable place dedicated to such a cause?

[tonythetuna]

Originally Posted by CoolSocks

In relation to the whole leasing process, I came across an ad on Craigslist today that read "you must pass a criminal background check, credit check, approved house visit of current residence and mandatory drug test."

A drug test seems like a very odd request for simply renting an apartment.

Here's the ad-
Edgewater - Extra Large Studio Unit Available $640 (http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/apa/2172444849.html - broken link)

I find this requirement to be even more q ueer:

"approved house visit of current residence"

The building must deal with a lot of Section 8 people and recovering alcohol and/or drug addicts.

I would stay far far way from that place.

[andrew61]

I took a look at the ad, and it appears that's one of those old midrise buildings on Bryn Mawr between Sheridan and Broadway that were renovated about a dozen years or so ago. The buildings used to be very seedy and had a lot of shady people living in them -- prostitutes, drug dealers/addicts, etc. The developers who renovated wanted to provide decent, affordable rental units for low- to moderate-income people while at the same time ridding the buildings of their bad element. Hence all the rules about criminal background checks and drug tests and observing current housekeeping and all that. There were articles about it in the Chicago Tribune that I read at the time.

As I recall, those renovations contributed a lot toward cleaning up that area.

[CoolSocks]

Originally Posted by OhAcid

I can't seem to find any affordable short term apartments in Chicago, and I'm definitely not paying $1,000+ dollars for a one month stay in the short term rentals I have found. Would anybody happen to know of an affordable place dedicated to such a cause?

Subletting would probably be your best bet. I found that it's the cheapest and most convenient option, especially since a lot of sublets will offer you their furniture because they will only be away for X amount of months and don't want to haul it out and hail it back. For sublets I would recommend Craigslist, or if you have a Facebook account, Facebook's version of Craigslist (Marketplace). The latter offers some significantly less shady ads, but I've had success with both services.

[eevee]

Originally Posted by CoolSocks

In relation to the whole leasing process, I came across an ad on Craigslist today that read "you must pass a criminal background check, credit check, approved house visit of current residence and mandatory drug test."

A drug test seems like a very odd request for simply renting an apartment.

Here's the ad-
Edgewater - Extra Large Studio Unit Available $640 (http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/apa/2172444849.html - broken link)

ugh, who do they think they are, the Taj Mahal? I've seen nicer places w/o all the ridiculous hopes to jump through. I'd skip this apartment, way to invasive for an ugly little studio

[GooberGuy]

Originally Posted by eevee

ugh, who do they think they are, the Taj Mahal? I've seen nicer places w/o all the ridiculous hopes to jump through. I'd skip this apartment, way to invasive for an ugly little studio

ha. +1

[08242015]

What if you dont have previous employment and just fresh out of college nd parents home? I do just freelance makeup and hair and get paid cash, how would i go about that if im in a new unkown city ?

[bostonguy1960]

I met a landlord a few years ago who requires two years of tax returns if you don't get a paystub.

[JenieSD]

Originally Posted by 08242015

What if you dont have previous employment and just fresh out of college nd parents home? I do just freelance makeup and hair and get paid cash, how would i go about that if im in a new unkown city ?

If paid cash and/or freelancing, you will be a sole proprietor for tax purposes (most likely) and still file your income taxes.
If you get paid under the table, you'd have a hard time finding a landlord and/or explaining your situation and having an advantage vs other applicants. In less desirable areas may be less of an issue. Good luck.