Question for anyone who rents apartments ?

John_Kerry · Aug 28, 2004

It seems that every decent apartment building wants to run a credit check before they let you move in. I dont have the best credit in the world that is for sure, but I have never destroyed or damaged an apartment. Do you think they would let me move in with bad credit if I pay the whole lease ( 12 months rent) up front?
I hope I dont get stuck having to rent some dump just because the good places wont let me move in with bad credit.

Thanks

BeatTheBookies · Aug 28, 2004

why do u have bad credit?

i dont think u should have a problem.

JudgeWapner · Aug 28, 2004

JK,a landlord would be crazy not to rent to you if you are paying a year in advance.

John_Kerry · Aug 28, 2004

I have bad credit because I was stupid when I was 18-21

John_Kerry · Aug 28, 2004

Judge,

That is what I was thinking since its not like I have ever destroyed an apt or anything.
Thanks. I thought they probably would but they seem to be really tough on these credit checks.

John_Kerry · Aug 28, 2004

Does it all disappear after 7 years ?

That is what I have heard but others say that bad credit will stay on your report, its just that if its over 7 years most people wont hold it against you.

lander · Aug 28, 2004

Judge,
You'd be surprised. I relocated and took a new job this spring. I had my place up for sale, a new job starting 2 weeks and the rental office told me "you don't have a job now."

I said 'no shit - I quit my job to take a new one' - and said that I'd just pay the whole lease upfront to cut through the nonsense ...

they said "we cannot do that".

They made me go back to NY and fax them the acceptance letter, and still asked for double security.

Meanwhile, they're happy to rent to people that live paycheck to paycheck and are one layoff away from not being about to make rent.

Go figure.

kermit16 · Aug 28, 2004

As a licensed Real Estate Broker for more than 35 years; I will assure you that paying 1 year in advance will get you into any place you want to rent !

Dante · Aug 28, 2004

pay the while year in advance would be a no brainer for most landlords IMO

John_Kerry · Aug 28, 2004

Kermit,

Thanks you. This makes me feel much better. I will be moving to start a new job as well and will have to look for a place to rent. Didnt want to get stuck in a dumpy roach infested apartment.

gak555 · Aug 29, 2004

Yes, they will. I know from personal experience. Money talks, bullshit walks.

sherman · Aug 29, 2004

I'd take a years rent up front from anyone!

bucsfan67 · Aug 29, 2004

cant speak for every apartment building, but these credit checks are not the "real tough" ones, like buying a home or a car...

For much the same reasons as you, i dont have "great" credit either....student loans, and some credit cards early on, didnt help...

However things are current now, and i was able to get my apartment in a nice complex without any penalties or extra deposits.....

Of course I was currently working, and had been at my job for over 4 years at the time....

You should be fine....I would wait to see what they say before you offer the whole year in advance...why tie your money up if you dont have to?

Fishhead · Aug 29, 2004

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by John_Kerry:
It seems that every decent apartment building wants to run a credit check before they let you move in. I dont have the best credit in the world that is for sure, but I have never destroyed or damaged an apartment. Do you think they would let me move in with bad credit if I pay the whole lease ( 12 months rent) up front?
I hope I dont get stuck having to rent some dump just because the good places wont let me move in with bad credit.

Thanks <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Most apartments will NOT allow you to pay 12 months in advance, and in fact, most will only allow 2 months in advance.

Journeyman · Aug 29, 2004

Just look for a private owner who owns a condo ...similar to an apartment rental....ANY condo owner would accept one year up front!

olddog · Aug 29, 2004

I agree with Fishhead - most landlords will be happy to accept you, bad credit or not, if you offer to pay two-three months rent up front.

Offer to pay an entire year and they'll personally help you move your furniture in.

newton0038 · Aug 29, 2004

Future President: The only thing that a landlord may look at or become suspicious of when someone wants to pay the rent in full for a year is if you have any criminal intent. If there are any strikes against you on your criminal record they may not want your business. Bikers are a main source of how apartment buildings suddenly burn to the ground when they are setting up their meth labs and grow houses.

Anonymous1 · Aug 29, 2004

not sure where ur moving to...here is LA many owners only cut one year leases...also why not negotiate for some type of concession in months 10-12 if the owner is a month-to-month landlord...rents can decline...why be over market...if say rent is $1,000/mo. then propose $916.70/mo. or one month free if all paid in advance...

John_Kerry · Aug 29, 2004

Thanks everyone.

I will be moving to Eugene, OR.

I wasnt going to offer to pay the full year, I was just going to tell them up front when they start taking infor for the credit check. I was going to say look I want to let you know my credit isnt the greatest but I really like the place a lot, so I would be willing to pay some extra rent up front if I have to. Can I do that to make up for less than perfect credit? I hope they will say yes.

I may also offer them to check my criminal record, because I have nothing on it. The closest run in I have ever had with the law was a speeding ticket about 5 years ago. I was going maybe 10 miles over the limit, and he wrote me up for going 70 in a 65 I think ?

Have found smoe phone numbers to apt's in Eugene and I am going to call them and ask.

postaldoug · Aug 29, 2004

An interesting thread here. I own a condo, which I rent out. It wasn't purchased for that reason. I bought it , for the purpose of placing my elderly mother with Alzheimer's disease there ( I lived one building away at the time ).

It turned out to be not feasible, and placed mother in an assisted living facility, until her death.

The place came with a tenant ( chemist for Pfizer). When he transferred home to Michigan, he placed the rental for me on a Pfizer employee bulletin board for me. I got another chemist, to take it, she's been a great tenant, as was the other guy.

If she moves on, I'll sell the place. I never checked her credit.

If I where to consider re-renting the place. One year's up -front rent, would do it for me. I'd take a larger than normal security deposit ( maybe 3 months. if legal ).

I'm scared of being a rentor, had 3 tenants, 2 properties, lifetime, never burnt.

The commitment of 12 months rent in advance, would sway me to renting to you. Even if you deal drugs out of my condo, I can't be charged for your crimes.

J-Man is right ! Doug