Renting an apartment without SSN at Mankato ? (apartment complex, rentals)

[fanjio]

Hello, I am a foreign student in USA. Am supposed to start my studies at MNSU Mankato this coming fall. I'll be transferring in from New Mexico after doing my first year there.
I'll be looking to live off campus to save on some costs of living. However, I need to know that will not have a ssn pose any problems for me? I have filled up a lease application with this apartment complex and " apparently " they do not need a ssn to rent out apartments. However I am still very concerned and worried. Do you people have any knowledge regarding this ? Thank you.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by fanjio

Hello, I am a foreign student in USA. Am supposed to start my studies at MNSU Mankato this coming fall. I'll be transferring in from New Mexico after doing my first year there.
I'll be looking to live off campus to save on some costs of living. However, I need to know that will not have a ssn pose any problems for me? I have filled up a lease application with this apartment complex and " apparently " they do not need a ssn to rent out apartments. However I am still very concerned and worried. Do you people have any knowledge regarding this ? Thank you.

SSN is used to do credit checks by many rental companies. You should be able to find a place, but might be some extra hassles. One thing you should try to avoid is taking a full year lease if you are only going to need a place for 9 months during school. You may not be able to avoid that, but I would sure look for a lease that meets your needs if you won't be there all year long.

You might also be able to find some info on rentals from the school.

School dorms are most often cheaper than off campus housing, but they do also tend to close up over holiday breaks and that might not work so well for you.

[fanjio]

Originally Posted by Clifford63

SSN is used to do credit checks by many rental companies. You should be able to find a place, but might be some extra hassles. One thing you should try to avoid is taking a full year lease if you are only going to need a place for 9 months during school. You may not be able to avoid that, but I would sure look for a lease that meets your needs if you won't be there all year long.

You might also be able to find some info on rentals from the school.

School dorms are most often cheaper than off campus housing, but they do also tend to close up over holiday breaks and that might not work so well for you.

But don't you think.. that with Mankato being a college town, the apartment complex will go easy on such matters ?

Nah, it turns out that it is cheaper to live off campus.

[uptown_urbanist]

I have no personal experience with the Mankato apartment market, but have rented multiple apartments in the past. Like Clifford63 says, it's used for credit checks. A SSN itself isn't required, and lack of one shouldn't bar you from anything. When I meet with a landlord I usually bring ID, copies of recent paychecks, bank information, and a list of former apartments and reference information. In cases where we moved to a location due to a job (or in one case graduate school) we brought with us a copy of a letter from the school/employer verifying salary. Basically, the landlord wants to make sure that you're going to pay the rent. Be prepared to show whatever paperwork (financial aid documents, perhaps?) showing that you have a source of income and can make your rent. That, coupled with your New Mexico rental history, should be reassuring. Also, when I was a student without a long established rental or credit history the landlord had me pay more upfront as a result; before moving in we paid first month's rent, last month's rent, and the security deposit. That might be an option, too, if your potential landlords are wary about renting to you. Still, you're in a college town, and while many of your fellow students may have SSNs they probably don't have long credit histories or high-paying jobs, either. The student-oriented apartments are probably used to situations like yours, so try not to stress out about it.

[fanjio]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

I have no personal experience with the Mankato apartment market, but have rented multiple apartments in the past. Like Clifford63 says, it's used for credit checks. A SSN itself isn't required, and lack of one shouldn't bar you from anything. When I meet with a landlord I usually bring ID, copies of recent paychecks, bank information, and a list of former apartments and reference information. In cases where we moved to a location due to a job (or in one case graduate school) we brought with us a copy of a letter from the school/employer verifying salary. Basically, the landlord wants to make sure that you're going to pay the rent. Be prepared to show whatever paperwork (financial aid documents, perhaps?) showing that you have a source of income and can make your rent. That, coupled with your New Mexico rental history, should be reassuring. Also, when I was a student without a long established rental or credit history the landlord had me pay more upfront as a result; before moving in we paid first month's rent, last month's rent, and the security deposit. That might be an option, too, if your potential landlords are wary about renting to you. Still, you're in a college town, and while many of your fellow students may have SSNs they probably don't have long credit histories or high-paying jobs, either. The student-oriented apartments are probably used to situations like yours, so try not to stress out about it.

Thanks dude that helped out a lot. I am willing to put down a substantial deposit. Hopefully things will work out. I'll keep you post. Thanks.