Looking for duplex to rent with recent bad credit/rental history (Milwaukee: sublease, apartments)

[sabrosina]

I'm moving to Milwaukee for a job transfer to our division partner that is in the Third Ward. I've lived in Milwaukee before and LOVE the city, the people, the urban feel that doesn't swallow me whole like both Chicago and Atlanta have. Cost of living is also driving me to a more reasonable lifestyle.

I've been looking for places to rent, and have been declined four times now so here I am asking for anyone that knows the city well knows any resources where I might be able to connect to rental property owners that are willing to consider a human side to renting rather than just strict numbers.

The gist of it is that I divorced a functional addict/alcoholic who was ordered to pay a pretty significant alimony for five years while I find a way to support myself. I worked part time and took care of our kid while he grew a startup software company. Two years in he suddenly stopped paying support and my salary didn't even cover rent. So I worked multiple jobs, did gig work, etc.. to keep from being evicted but my credit still tanked and I was often late paying rent.

Since then, I've doubled my income, am gradually repaying everyone that I owe, and am getting back on my feet. But (understandably) management companies are numbers driven so the recent 18 months stain on my prior spotless credit/mortgage history is all they see. And I totally get it. I've worked in property management and I've been a landlord myself, so I totally don't blame anyone but myself. The fallout for my own decisions is a gift that just keeps on giving.

Does anyone have any thoughts regarding finding a place that's safe? Just me, two old dogs, 75K income, 620 credit, and totally crap rental history for 1.5 years. I'm looking around 1300/mo or less, but need 2 beds because I have a 20 yr son who will be home outside of college.

Thoughts, anyone? I'm not sure how to get over this hurdle, and I'm hoping there is some sort of inside knowledge of the rental climate that might help me out.

[brrabbit]

a) You can rent in an hotel and pay weekly rent, I lived in Motel 6. While it's a bit too expensive, you won't care about keeping the place clean, washing sheets, you might even get some crappy breakfast and internet included. It's a good place to start if you're moving back to Milwaukee and cannot get a rent.

b) Look for private rentals. Zillow is No 1 resource these days for private landlords, but I won't discount Craigslist, and Facebook.

c) Be prepared to offer (better be upfront with it) a second month security deposit. Most any past credit problems can be cured with an extra month deposit.

d) If things are too bad, you can try to sublease it from someone who has to leave sooner. Just sign up as their "room mate" and agree to pay their share until the end of the lease... Not sure if I like this idea as a landlord (I'd rather be in the know about what's going on), but as a tenant I might go that route as a last resort.

At one point in time my credit score was in lower 500 and I was able to rent a town house from Bay Colony Apartments in Whitefish Bay (on Fairmount Ave)... They did not want to let me in, but agreed to with a second month deposit. Same trick worked for me in another place in Glendale, but I forgot their name - and they are bigger apartments, not to your liking.

[brrabbit]

P.S. 20yr son can pay for his own place to be, or sleep on a folding bed.


Just checked in the Craigslist - https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/apa...692565238.html - that might be a perfectest place to be in your situation. And when your son comes, you either could rent another room there for him, pay for his hotel, rent a vacation house for 3 months for both of you, etc.