Having_Fun Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 Hi allI have tried to rent an apartment 3 different times and each time I have been turned down because of my credit history. There is one collection agency that bought a IIB credit card account of 15k and reported it to Eu and Ex and TU 4 months after the BK. I got TU to remove it but the other two will not - as of yet.Any suggestions on finding some place that will take me. I'm getting desperate. I have 10k in the bank but no one seems to care They just look at the outstanding 15k and turn me away. I'm in the Bay area and reasonable housing is very hard to find.TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gprncss Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 Do you have any positive TLs? How about asking those creditors to give you "recommendation " letters, on your payment history, including those that are not showing on your CR ? Also go with a copy of your credit report in your hand to the next place and explain to them what is up before they take a look. Plus I'm sure with the letters from the creditors especially showing your payment history after the BK, might help things a bit?It won't hurt to ask which CRA they pull either.Can anyone you know help by co-signing? Hope this helps and things turn around for the better soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creditobsessed Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 Was this debt included in BK? If it was you may be able to explain it away and even show copies of your BK dismissal papers with you application to prove to those you are applying to that you are no longer repsonsible for the debt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meebones Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 changes are it isn't the just the 15K the rental places don't like, it is the fact you filed BK. How long ago did you file? Can you get a letter from your current landlord which states you have always paid them on time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Having_Fun Posted January 4, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 get any credit since then. I have been rooming with people so a letter from them will probably not work. The secured credit card companies have rejected my request for credit since I do not have a phone with my home, and a home I do not have. How do I show that a debit was included in my bk? All I have so far from the BK court is a one page letter showing the court order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creditcardcory Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 You have $10K; explain your situation and offer a 3 months security deposit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunderwoman Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 Creditcardcory has it right. My suggestion would be for you to go to the rental agents with your Credit Reports in hand and say "this is what we're looking at, but I have 10K in the bank and I can give you three months security." Money talks. This has always worked here in NYC for my friends that do not have good credit.Also, go to the rental agents in business attire. First impressions mean everything and they're likely to take you as being more responsible.Only meet with them after work hours, say after 4pm, or on the weekends. Gives the impression that you have business to conduct. Even if you meet with them on the weekends, dress more business casual than casual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Having_Fun Posted January 4, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 a lot of talk. I'm sure I can find some landlord that is not hooked on the up and down of a credit reporting agency.Thanks everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordanmorganusa Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 Try craigslist.org. They have plenty of things to check out, sublet & temp apartments and regular apartments. I'm sure you can find something there(No, I am not shilling for the site, it's just very popular here in Los Angeles and it covers half the cities on the planet). Oh, and by the way, SUE THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS out of the CA that is trying to collect on a IIB debt.Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stressin' Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 Hey Tia,I'm in the Bay Area as well and have had the same problem. Just what was suggested earlier, I think you should offer to put down at least a couple months rent, aside from what is already required. When my SO & I looked at some apartments in Novato we went with a Renters Resume in hand. We explained our bad credit situation to the landlord, how we were currently working on repairing it and how we would do whatever it took to get in the apartment. I think our honesty and willingness to get what was needed got us the apartment. Just go in there with a positive attitude.And yes Craigslist.org is the BEST! Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyt293 Posted January 5, 2005 Report Share Posted January 5, 2005 I am a landlord (10 units spread over 3 buildings) and I can tell you that I've rarely check references let alone CR's. Instead I look for the kind of people WunderWoman describes. Clean and presentable. Rental agents are like police officers, they hear so many excuses and stories that they find honesty refreshing. Picking up on WW's advice, I would do the following: Treat the process like a job interview, in both cases you're selling yourself soBusiness style attire with shined shoes (it makes a difference) is a must.Be upfront when you meet a RA or landlord, explain your BK right from the get-go. You might want to say something like " So I'm not wasting your time, I feel you should know that I filed for BK back in June and the process is now complete. I understand that you may require more than the usual security to allay any concerns about my ability to pay rent. How much security do you usually require from someone in my situation?"Smile and make frequent eye contact, stay relaxed and Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Having_Fun Posted January 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2005 Thank you all so much. I no longer feel like I'm in a hopeless situation. Thanks again!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordanmorganusa Posted January 5, 2005 Report Share Posted January 5, 2005 Um, I could be wrong about this, but I believe that each state has a cap on the amount of security that can be requested. You might want to check your state's laws for that. Good luck on the apartment search! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfpup Posted January 5, 2005 Report Share Posted January 5, 2005 i was in the same situation you are in. I went to the apartment manager and i offered to pay 3 months of rent and a security deposit right then. It worked! I hope you find something that works for you, i know how frustrating it can be! good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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