Getting an apartment in LA with bad credit?

[thefunkyone]

The guest home idea is something i've been looking at as well. I might look at it a little harder as it seems most guest houses are in really nice affluent areas.

[marilyn220]

Originally Posted by thefunkyone

The guest home idea is something i've been looking at as well. I might look at it a little harder as it seems most guest houses are in really nice affluent areas.

Look hon, all you can do is go out there and see what happens. If you have bad credit, don't tell them. Just fill out the paperwork and see what they say. If it's a problem for them, then either they won't rent to you or ask for more money.

I don't care what anyone says, the economic situation in Los Angeles is desperate for everyone, including landlords. Unemployment is documented at 15%, but trust it's much higher than that? They don't tell you about the folks who were denied unemployment or exhausted benefits. Do you have a job? Can you pay a few months upfront? Maybe they'll have you on a month to month instead of a year, then assess the situation later.

Seriously though, I wouldn't worry about it. You'll either get the place you want or you won't. You can't judge others experience to your own, because you don't know what other factors went into them being denied. Sometimes it's not just credit alone.

As long as you don't have an eviction you should be good to go.

[gypsystar]

Originally Posted by marilyn220

Look hon, all you can do is go out there and see what happens. If you have bad credit, don't tell them. Just fill out the paperwork and see what they say. If it's a problem for them, then either they won't rent to you or ask for more money.

I don't care what anyone says, the economic situation in Los Angeles is desperate for everyone, including landlords. Unemployment is documented at 15%, but trust it's much higher than that? They don't tell you about the folks who were denied unemployment or exhausted benefits. Do you have a job? Can you pay a few months upfront? Maybe they'll have you on a month to month instead of a year, then assess the situation later.

Seriously though, I wouldn't worry about it. You'll either get the place you want or you won't. You can't judge others experience to your own, because you don't know what other factors went into them being denied. Sometimes it's not just credit alone.

As long as you don't have an eviction you should be good to go.

Well, I can say that for us, it definitely was credit alone. My husband's income was great and he has no criminal background, bankruptcies, evictions or foreclosures, like I said. Unless you have lived it, you can't really say what the situation is like. I can say first-hand that landlords are still running background checks in this economy. I think a guest house is the OP's best bet at this point -they may not run a check and he has a possibility of living in a very nice area.

[2peaches2oranges]

I moved to LA from Florida in June, without a job, with a bankruptcy, and worst of all, as a single mother with gasp - two kids. I stayed in a sublet for the first two months while I looked for a job and a more permanent place. I found a job working from home, with some local traveling for appointments, and I found a good charter school where I did not have to worry about school boundaries to limit my choices of area.

First thing I did was post a WANTED ad on Craigslist and I was honest about my situation (kids, bankruptcy) and I listed my wants which were an unattached guest house or back house in my preferred area (Studio City/Burbank/Universal City) furnished, with all utilities included, washer-dryer and off-street parking for $1500.

I cannot say I was inundated with people contacting me, but I found a place by not giving up and taking chances that I would find someone who would give us a chance.

I did not get everything I wanted. Its a garage apartment with a loft (pretty tight for three of us but it works!) It does not have the off-street parking I desired, but the street has no restrictions, permits or street cleaning, so it is not bad unless we have a fire danger alert. I have to use the owner's washer & dryer. But I am in a nice residential area south of Ventura in Studio City hills, no apartment buildings, lots of sidewalks, walkable to Ventura shops, restaurants, and beautiful mountain views.

Don't give up, be confident.

Personally, I avoided apartment complexes and management companies because I did not want to spend a lot of money upfront or have a bunch of people checking my credit.

[lindsay041908]

Hello! Do you know where exactly I could look to find a place that doesn't check credit? I'm looking on Craigslist, but wasn't sure if you had specific sources for homes or apartments that don't require credit check. I have a stable job that I'm moving from Texas to Cali, so the money isn't an issue.

[nightlysparrow]

Originally Posted by lindsay041908

Hello! Do you know where exactly I could look to find a place that doesn't check credit? I'm looking on Craigslist, but wasn't sure if you had specific sources for homes or apartments that don't require credit check. I have a stable job that I'm moving from Texas to Cali, so the money isn't an issue.

Try a sublet. Craigslist lists these separately. Also consider offering a "bonus."

And don't call it Cali. It's like calling your state Texass.