What do I need - apartment hunting (sublet, apartments)

[crapmanjoe]

Hi all,

Just moved to the city from Europe and am beginning the apartment hunting process. Am trying to figure out what documentation I need to pull together in light of the fact that I have none of the following
Payslips
Tax return
Us credit history

I can evidence money for about 4 months rent in a us bank account and about another 5 months rent with my us credit card limit. I also have an employment letter which verifies my salary will exceed 40x the rent I am budgeting to pay.

Will this be enough for brokers/ owner rentals and if not what else do I need?

Thanks

[nycjap]

Not sure exactly what you need, but my broker would tell me stories all the time about foreign clients looking for apartments that she would work with. I'm sure a reputable broker will help you to weed out the landlords who aren't willing to rent to someone newly arrived in the US who has a job.

[loratliff]

Originally Posted by nycjap

Not sure exactly what you need, but my broker would tell me stories all the time about foreign clients looking for apartments that she would work with. I'm sure a reputable broker will help you to weed out the landlords who aren't willing to rent to someone newly arrived in the US who has a job.

Yeah, this is one instance where I think a broker would actually be very helpful. They're not going to show you apartments that you're unqualified for.

[jcoltrane]

Jfyi, you can't pay rent with a credit card.

You should try and find a roommate situation. All you'll need is a job and some up front money. A year from know you could move on your own, after getting some W2/pay stubs, filing taxes, building up your@ redit, etc.

[urbanintllctl]

I agree with jcoltrane: the lack of pay slips and tax returns will be a very tough hurdle. I've come across ads about a company called Insurent. You pay a fee, and they will provide a guarantee that you can pay your rent. However, not all landlords accept Insurent, and since you don't have good supporting documents, the fee you'll pay Insurent will likely be quite high. Hence, why not go for a roommate situation first, as others have suggested?

[Cida]

It depends on what you're looking for and how you're looking.

First, don't announce that problem immediately over the telephone. Let them meet you first, and see that you are presentable. You will probably need other things just for the sake of i.d. - a driver's license and/or passport. I think different places will have different attitudes. You might do better where you are dealing with an actual person as a landlord, rather than a big corporation. You might try finding a sublet, perhaps even a summer sublet where you could pay the entire rent up-front.

[loratliff]

Originally Posted by jcoltrane

Jfyi, you can't pay rent with a credit card.

Not true. I know a few technologically-advanced management companies who have online rent payment systems—you can either pay with an e-check or a credit/debit card.