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Dang, had a big long post typed and then lost my internet connection. Lets see if I can remember it all.
First of all, good luck. Expect to have a tough time. Don't be surprised if you get laughed at or hung up on a few times. You have too many "automatic no"s on that list to even be considered by most landlords.
A couple of questions. Is your credit bad because of any of the following: Eviction, judgement, or utility bills in collection? If so, that will be an extra mark against you. Also, you said you need to move ASAP. Usually, that indicates to a landlord that you are being evicted from whereever you currently live, which is obviously a black mark.
Being realistic, in most cases with a tenant with bad credit, a LL is only willing to rent if the tenant pays a large security deposit, which you are unable to do, or has a cosigner, which you are also unable to do.
The fact that you receive your money under the table is a negative, because if you default on rent, there are no wages for the LL to garnish. That makes you a higher risk, too.
I hate to even make any suggestions, because you are such a high risk and I hate to see anyone take on someone who is likely to default, but I think your best bets are either an extended stay hotel, or try to find a roommate or private owner who doesn't care about credit.
Again, good luck.
Willing to live in any major/mid-major metro to be honest.
My credit is bad because of a delinquent credit card and a medical emergency. I've never had any delinquent rent or bills.
Thanks for the tip on extended hotel stays and finding private owner. Will definitely add that to my notes.
I know my situation isn't ideal -- but I also believe I have quite a bit of potential to be a fantastic tenant. I have the skills to make a comfortable living and pay my bills on time -- and I am respectful to other peoples property like it's my own.
Im not very picky at all. Just need a roof over my head and a relatively-stable address so that I don't shiver on the streets at night and can find a job (and move into something more comfortable as I save/repair my finances).
Do you report ALL your earnings? I was Self employed for yrs....but to buy or rent I reposrted
ALL income to IRS...which gave me a work/cr history. Not to mention when I became disables I could get my own SSD. You could try HUD apts in your area [Rent 30% income & They seem to over look bad cr involving Hospital...not sure about cr cards.] GOOD LUCK!
Im not very picky at all. Just need a roof over my head and a relatively-stable address so that I don't shiver on the streets at night and can find a job (and move into something more comfortable as I save/repair my finances).
Thanks for your response js1.
You edited your original post shortly after you wrote it and eliminated the point that you had been unemployed for the last 18 months. You later noted that your bad credit is due to, "a delinquent credit card and a medical emergency". Have you been on some sort of medical disability for a while which has prohibited you from seeking employment? I doubt that this would in any way influence a prospective LL to take a chance on you but it might qualify for you for some sort of housing assistance.
Have you tried calling the United Way or local social services for assistance? With homelessness looming, you need to step up and see about housing services. Start researching assisted housing.... maybe you could also look on craigslist for shared housing/roommate situations.
I am a landlord and my heart goes out to you but I am a landlord for business reasons and I cannot provide housing. I do donate to charities, however, and want every breathing being on this earth to have a place called home.
Are there any bulletin boards where you are in which roommates advertise? Perhaps you can get a room in a share from somewhere like craigslist?
Just be careful of scams there.
In another recent post on another CD forum, the OP made it quite clear that any kind of a room-mate situation is out of the question. I hate to use the "red flag"come-back but when a 25 year old hasn't been gainfully employed for 18 months, has a bad credit rating and only $1500 in cash on hand and hasn't followed this thread to answer legitimately posed questions, I have a problem as do many other long time contributors. The night is still young so I guess we'll see what transpires!
I've made money doing odd jobs and have lived off of past savings while living in my grandparents spare bedroom the last year and a half (that is no longer an option and I have no other family). I'm not saying that because I want to be consoled, I'm saying that because that's the reality of my situation, and I don't have the luxury of waiting.
And I'm not looking for handouts from landlords, not looking for advice on the seriousness of my life, and not looking for career advice.
I'm simply looking for advice from other renters/land lords on how I can find/get approved for my *own* apartment with the criteria I laid out. I have my reasons for not being able to be in a roommate situation; I feel I've shared enough about my personal life to get some actionable feedback. In return I've been backhandedly put down by several members here. Some of which have the audacity to wonder why they've gotten no legitimate answers in return. It shouldn't be anybody's business why I live my life the way I choose.
Either you can help me find an apartment (this is the renting section of city-data.com) given my unique circumstances or you can't. But please save your 2 cents if it doesn't directly pertain to the question asked.
Last edited by idriveabucket; 04-07-2010 at 07:18 PM..
The BEST way to find an apt IS to Apply & see what the LL decides. And since you Dont have Any rental History this too will make it hard. BUT Times are hard & LL may take a chance on you. Esp a LL with Lots of empty apts. As I said before GOOD LUCK!
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