rental apps and credit...question??

[skdigi]

i found this place i really really like and they are pulling tu...i checked today. anyway. i have perfect payment history with my landlord for almost 3 years but i do have 2 unpaid collections on my report, one medical the other phone company which i don't even think is really mine...i'm hoping that since i haven't been late with rent in at least 3 years that would weigh out my so-so credit. no public records either.

anyway, has anyone here been denied an apartment due to unpaid collections? did they give you a chance to explain?

thanks!

[gumshoe]

I have recently. Perfect rental history but still denied. Here in North Carolina the community used Equifax. I felt this was unfair due tothe factthat I have never been late on my rental payments in the past. Oh well I moved on. Good luck.

[almost_there]

I recently had my TU pulled for a rental. Your un-paid phone bill might be a problem. I had an account with Sprint from long ago that is paid but said unpaid on my report, I had to bring in proof to the property manager that I had paid it...good thing I still had the checks! They were concerned and couldn't rent to people with unpaid utility bills.

If you don't think the bill is yours, DV right away and show the property manager that you are attempting to validate the debt, they might be willing to work with you if you seriously don't believe it is your debt.

Either way, good luck!

[stacykat]

I had three collections equalling about $5000, one was for a broken lease, go figure lol. Well, I was approved for an apartment complex, however, I had to pay about $300 more for security. A few years later, with the same collections on my credit file, I was approved through a rental agency to move into a privately owned home, they called my previous residence to make sure I paid on time and they over looked the collections because I did. I guess it all depends on the place you are looking to rent at, some are lenient, some aren't and may want a co-signer or will just flat out deny you. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! Good luck!

[skdigi]

thank you stacy kat!!!

it's a townhouse with private yard,basment,laundry,etc...huge. it would be great for my daughter...

well, thankfully i started repairng back in may...or the landlord would be looking at 13 bad accounts instead of 2 or 3!!

[doublebuchi]

When I applied for my current apt., I asked upfront what the credit criteria was. They told me exactly what they would deny. I had several med collections, but was told they don't care about med bills. I had 2 unpaid phone bills and 2 CO CC's. I got the apartment. I suggest just asking the townhouse what they approve.

[kb9tbq]

We have landlords pulling credit reports all the time here - and yes they can turn a person down for rental.

But one landlord differs from the next, if you can give an explaination of your problem on these two bills & be up front with them, it will go all the further for you getting the rental.

I know what most landlords don't want to see, and that is:

1. Judgments filed by other landlords for money owed.

2. Utilities unpaid (like power / water / cable / phone).

Medical - I find that most landlords are ok with, if they can see an obvious problem that just took everything else down. But what ever you do - if in a tight spot. First pay rent / utilities / then your other creditors after that point.

[dm91497]

I worked in property management for 8 years. Our company had a policy not to rent to anyone who had utility collection. The only time we would allow collections was for medical reasons. Good Luck.

[kb9tbq]

My understanding is that if a person goes delinquent on a utility bill, then they figure this same person is capable of not paying on the rent.

Credit cards are one thing (which they don't like seeing) - but to actually let utility go - gives them great concern in the matter.

Yes, I have heard many landlords say they did not mind medical bills - that can understand these things (as not being a planned expense).

Sometimes they will go ahead and rent, but may require a higher deposit.

[lizandjerry]

I just recently viewed a beautiful apartment (half a house that they consider apartment) that I really wanted. I was told by the owner that he would rent to me if my credit was good enough to qualify for a mortgage. If I could not get approved for a mortgage than he would not rent to me (he was a mortgage broker). I didnt even put in an application. I was like "hi, if I had good enough credit to be able to buy a house, then why would I be renting from you?" I immediately left and didnt contact him further. However, he contacted me and said that if my boyfriend could co-sign that he would consider allowing me to live there with 3 months rent down! I was like "no, he's got bad credit too" and havent spoken with him since. Can you believe that? If I had good enough credit to buy a house, then why in the heck would I pay $650 rent when I could be paying possibly less on a mortgage and actually own the place? Some people are idiots. I don't think he's going to be renting that place anytime soon (at least I hope he doesnt )

[kb9tbq]

Sorry to hear that, we have a good many landlords here pulling credit reports - I would venture to guess 250 or better. And there is quite a mix in their personalities and what they are willing to work with. I have seen a few that where like this, fortunately I think more are better then this.

[Financial Freedom Flyer]

Hey guys,

Just a tip from someone who has several friends who are real estate investors. Landlords do sometimes check the big three AND…they also have their own “CRA” which is used by landlords. This is where “landlords past” can report on you for things like late rental history, damage to property, complaints, etc. These are things that ARE NOT on your CR from the Big 3. The yearly cost to landlords for this fee is very inexpensive, and lots of landlords/investors find this very helpful in protecting their investments and properties. This is sometimes why you might find yourself “stumped” when there isn’t anything valid on your CR from the Big 3 to deny you housing. Most people don’t realize that this underground landlord system exists. If you paid for a “credit check”, ask which agency the landlord will be using to verify your competency as a tenet.

If you really dig a place and want it, pursue the landlord further. Don’t be afraid. Most landlords just want a tenet that will pay the rent on time and care for the property. If YOU owned properties, what would you look for in a tenet? Approaching it from this aspect might help you to win over the landlord. Tip: don’t get whiny. Then they will think that you will call them every month to whine about why you can’ t pay your rent on time.

Good luck in finding a beautiful place to live!

[kb9tbq]

Not that there is a seperate reporting agency, just that there are a number of resellers that develope special software and desicion point systems that are fair housing compliant.

Plus they have access to public records for eviction notices, they still want credit reports to see if there are utility delinquencies - since rent is next to go when people have problems paying for lights and such.

Also each area has landlord associations - where they get to gether to share ideas on everything affecting them in this industry.

[Grace]

I'm a realtor, and manage a small amount of single family homes. Because I represent owners, I can have a little "give" when renting.

When you are renting in a community/complex, where there is an onsite manager, they have certain criteria they MUST follow. In most states, onsite managers don't have to have a real estate license.

Just ask what they require before they run a report... better yet, show them a report you have run and ask if you meet their criteria. They will be required to run a credit check before they rent, but at least you can get some info before they put an inquiry on your report.

Hope this helps!

[browneyedgurl4]

For the most part this is my experience in the last 10 years with 5 different landlords and countless attempts to rent a house:

They are doing you a FAVOR by renting to you(IF you have the right job, last name, credit, etc. fill in the blanks)

They overcharge for rent. Come on people!! Why must we pay double to rent a small apt or house that is not as large or nice as what most pay for a mortgage?

They ignore your calls for repairs or complaints about noise or problems with other tenants. They simply don't care about anything but your rent check!

When you get sick of the crap and scrimp and save to actually afford another $2000 to move, you must try to collect your security deposit(GOOD LUCK). No matter if you spent 2 days scrubbing, painting, steam cleaning, whatever, it will never be clean enough for a refund on your deposit.

Or, they will say that you didn't give them sufficient notice and will keep your deposit(Lesson learned, never give 30 day notice on the phone)

Then you get to start all over, getting the refusals, not based on your ability to pay or your payment history, but because you lost your job 5 years ago, and couldn't pay your credit cards, utilities, etc...

Do i sound a little bitter? You're damn right i am!

Landlords are crooks, that take advantage of people like us who don't have the ability to secure a mortgage loan! Talk about discrimination!

[smontoya5]

My landlord is an evil beast...hopefully, she found a buyer for the building so we'll finally be free from her.

We just went through our 2nd increase in rent in the past year...apparently, her tax bill went up "considerably" so she's just passing it along to all of the tenants.

That really frustrates me- she'll get the money back at income tax time whereas we just lost an add'l $200 a month.

Would love to buy a home now but we can't Need to build up some sort of savings first.

[kb9tbq]

That is sad to hear, I know not all are bad, me and DH have been married and that same summer the house next door to my mother opened up for rent. So we were fortunate, even more so this house is in the more expensive side of town, I know the rent could of easily been $450 or better with central air, garage, nice large yard and everything, but he only charged us $300 and we signed lease 1st and 2nd year after that he just never made us renew again.

7 years later he never increased our rent, him and his wife would visit from time to time, kind of an extended part of our family always keeping them updated on how us and the kids where doing. Really felt sad when we finally bought our house and moved. Still take the time to go over and visit and keep them updated on how we are doing.

Unfortunately the new tenent (a single guy) don't quite view them as an extended family as we did, don't think he was the right one for this house. The landlord and his wife are elderly and lonely for the most part and quite removed from their kids now they are not able to visit them. I even tried helping him find someone I would of thought would take our place as far as caring enough to include them and watch out for their well being.

[michigangirl530]

3 to 450 for a house thats cheap couldnt fine one in oregon for that much that price would only get you a space under the bridge

[lazy8]

3 to 450 for a house thats cheap couldnt fine one in oregon for that much that price would only get you a space under the bridge

I've been thinking the same thing while reading this thread. I live in the Bay Area where things have gotten a little better since the .com bubble burst but you still can't get a 1 bdr apt for under a $1000 here and a house for rent? Forget it! I wish I could get a house with backyard for $400.