Documents Needed To Rent an Apt. in LA? (apartments, credit card)

[trueblue101]

Hello All,
My husband and I are moving to LA in June and will be living in corporate housing while we look for a place. Can you all tell me the documents most management companies would ask for to have handy? Also, do you know if most companies would allow the credit check to be paid my cash, personal check, credit card or is it usually only money orders?

Any other tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

[disgruntled la native]

Originally Posted by Batard Moche

first, last and security deposit will move you into any apartment in los angeles. unless you were evicted last week, nobody really cares about credit.

you'll soon find the standards on the west coast are much less stringent than say the east/south.

it's a double-edged sword, you really need to be careful who you deal with.

Far too optimistic. Credit counts. I've known many many cases where applicants had to get cosigners or rejection due to mediocre credit.

To the OP: Credit checks are usually around $40 and they can be paid by cash. Just easiest to get 40 out of the ATM and do it that way.

How important credit and other factors are depends on the building. The big corporate complexes can be a little more flexible about credit if you put a lot of money down, sometimes several months of rent upfront.

[trueblue101]

Originally Posted by Batard Moche

first, last and security deposit will move you into any apartment in los angeles. unless you were evicted last week, nobody really cares about credit.

you'll soon find the standards on the west coast are much less stringent than say the east/south.

it's a double-edged sword, you really need to be careful who you deal with.

Thanks for the information. I did not realize that last month rent would also be required (I thought just security and first month rent).

Who were you referring to when you said to be careful who to deal with?

Thanks!

[trueblue101]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

Far too optimistic. Credit counts. I've known many many cases where applicants had to get cosigners or rejection due to mediocre credit.

To the OP: Credit checks are usually around $40 and they can be paid by cash. Just easiest to get 40 out of the ATM and do it that way.

How important credit and other factors are depends on the building. The big corporate complexes can be a little more flexible about credit if you put a lot of money down, sometimes several months of rent upfront.

I will be sure to have cash for the credit checks. Thanks so much.

[trueblue101]

Do you think that these luxury apartments in MDR/SM would be willing to lower the rent or throw in a free month's of rent if we pay in advance for 4-6 months. Do any of these management companies even negotiate?

Thanks.

[Mr_Geek]

Originally Posted by trueblue101

Thanks for the information. I did not realize that last month rent would also be required (I thought just security and first month rent).

Who were you referring to when you said to be careful who to deal with?

Thanks!

Only some require first and last. Many are first plus deposit usually equal to one months rent.

[timtemtym]

The security deposit is the equivalent of the last month rent. They phrase it as a deposit rather than first and last rent. Corporate apartments will check your credit and require a pay stub or income verification from your employer. If they don't do that, I'd be alarmed as to whom you are dealing with.

[disgruntled la native]

Originally Posted by trueblue101

Do you think that these luxury apartments in MDR/SM would be willing to lower the rent or throw in a free month's of rent if we pay in advance for 4-6 months. Do any of these management companies even negotiate?

Thanks.

Not gonna say no for sure but I doubt it. It's a landlord's market and even the overpriced luxury apartments are getting more applicants than they have space for. Typically they want the pay in advance if your credit is somewhat poor or nonexistent, or you are foreign. They don't make deals by letting you pay in advance then giving you a free month... typically

[Moriarti]

I have a credit score of 649. But I could offer to pay several months up front. How many months should I offer to pay?

[Spikett]

I had less than perfect credit and just had to pay a higher deposit. It varies from place to place. A corporate owned complex will not take cash at all, for anything. Check or credit card, but no cash as they do not keep cash on hand. Smaller landlords might though.