Given our current economically crisis, there are many still struggling with financial hardship, credit issues, and rising unemployment. There may be situations where the private landlord or property manager doesn’t have the luxury of finding the best suitable renters or roommates to fill their vacancy property in your area. What to do when you, as the potential tenant, have bad credit?
Here are some helpful tips.
As a renter or a budding roommate:
- 1. Be Honest.
- Don’t come up with excuses and sob stories of how your dog ate your rent check. Just be straight! Tell your landlord or property manager that you’re facing financial difficulties, about bankruptcies, and poor credit history. Plus, there are no surprises when they run your credit background check and shows you were truthful in sharing something personal. Also, they may be receptive to your dilemma and may offer you a short-term leasing rate or a discounted rate until you get back on your feet.
- 2. Offer your professional services.
- If you are a handy person, offer your profession for rental credit. Landlords and property managers are home owners too, and at the end of the day, they are looking for someone like you. They may also have more than one properties. Give them your services with work around the house or other properties, such as lawn care, house cleaning (or maid service), baby-sitting, pet-sitting, etc…Your skills are extremely valuable, so put it to good use.
- 3. Show Recommendations or Referrals.
- A word of mouth advertisement by a reputable person goes a long way. List 2-5 people who can vouch for you. Landlords like to hear from sources that you were a great renter. It is sound to know if several people fully disclose your personal history with the new property owner, and if their stories are consistent, it is a great bet that you’ll find a new wonderful place to live in no time.
In Part 2, What to do as the private landlord or property owner?
Give us your take, and tell us what you think?
Tags: bad credit, landlord, renter, roommate, tenant
