How can a would-be entrepreneur rent an apartment?

In My Humble Opinion
1

My programming contract is coming to an end, and I’ve saved up a lot of money. Rather than take another contract, I’d like to launch a business and work on projects of my own.

I’m currently living in an area with a very high cost of living. I’d like to move to a cheaper city, but as an entrepreneur, I won’t be able to verify my monthly income. I’d be happy to prepay the rent, but the landlords I’ve spoken to won’t consider it.

I’ve been a model tenant and my credit history is excellent. Am I really trapped unless I find another job?

2

Find a huge apartment complex with a large, professional management team.

I found that they would waive the proof-of-continuing employment bullshit in exchange for a large cash deposit.

But - if you ever want to buy a house: Become an employee of a large, stable company until the ink on the mortgage is dry.
Otherwise, you will need to show the books for the last X years of you business to be considered.
And start-up are notorious for showing miserable first couple of years of profit.

I stayed with a consulting company until I had the mortgage - then hung out my shingle.

3

With good credit, first and last months rent, you can rent any unit we have.

4

Interesting. Maybe I’ve just been unlucky so far. I’ll keep looking. Thanks.

5

It’s illegal to take more than 2 months rent (i.e. 1 month security deposit and last month rent) in many, if not most states.

You should not have much trouble finding a place that will cater to your needs though; many places offer short term stay options. Barring that, if you have a large chunk of cash there are ways that some places can work with that - such as setting up an escrow like account or something of the sort - I was in this situation a while back and I visited several apartments, but only one had this option. We did not choose that one, we went with a different place that only cared about credit and references as opposed to a strict income threshold; so I do not remember the details of what the other place was proposing; but you may have to visit many complexes.

6

I manage a complex in California, we take 6 months rent in advance all the time. We do this in leu of steady employment on occasion. I should mention this is an upscale, gated community.