Renting an apartment without a job (Seattle, Lynnwood: extended stay, apartments, rental)

[bir52292]

I am moving to Seattle June 1 to start fresh. I don't have a job lined up but I am trying really hard to find something before I get up there. I have great credit and money in the bank to cover about 4 months rent without a job.

Do apartments rent to people without a job? I can have my current apartment building be a reference, would that help?

[ryanmm]

I'm sure you can find someone to take you, especially if you have good credit and rental history. However you won't be able to be choosy and you may very well end up in a dump with questionable neighbors.

You should consider an extended stay hotel, or perhaps a month-to-month furnished apartment. Either one would run around $900 a month. If it doesn't work out at least you wouldn't have to break a long lease.

[Malloric]

Well don't tell them you don't have a job. A lot of places are just going to the standard background/criminal check and don't require any proof of income. I've only once been asked to present a pay stub or W2 which I don't have since I'm self employed.

Four months really isn't much. First and last plus a months security deposit is fairly normal. That leaves you two months to find a job. Have you considered renting a room? Temporary housing is also a possibility, but good luck finding it for $900/month during the summer.

[Hemlock140]

You may luck out, perhaps with a Craigslist place, but I know people that have recently rented in this area have had employment verified and credit checks, even requiring references from past landlords.

[traveldude]

I rented a 2 br apartment in Lynnwood without a job. It's a suburb around 20 minutes without traffic from Seattle. I told them i was self-employed which i've always been, i'm a contractor. I showed them my bank statement. They require you to have 3 times the total lease term. I had $17,500.00 in the bank so it worked out fine. I think you should be able to rent an apartment if you have great credit, reference and some money in the bank. Although they might ask for an extra deposit. I don't think it's gonna be a problem. Good luck!

[LookinForMayberry]

We moved here in '90 with no jobs, good credit, and a year's worth of living expenses in the bank. We were moving into our first apartment within a week. There are more vacancies now, so I think you will be fine.

[bir52292]

Thanks everyone.