Was laid off a couple of months ago in NJ, now back in hometown in VA. Was offered job, starts in two weeks. I am wondering chances of getting approval if someone else applies and has had a job here for sometime. My job will more than meet income requirements, rent would be about 20-25%. I have a credit rating over 800. Other than a brief period in 2016, have had continuousl employment my whole life. Have about 2K in debt on Discover card. Own my car. Background check will be clean. I have a brother in NYC who is a programmar, he would co-sign. Should I bring that up or would it cause landlord to think I am worried about being able to pay rent? Rental history - One year in an apt. in NJ, moved to another for 2 years. The rents there were $200 and $400 more than rents here, although my job will pay about 25% less. Before that owned home for 8 years.
Obviously very well qualified, but if someone had same stats but had been workinig here for years they would probably get it. But what if they had a 600 credit rating or more debt or whatever?
Relatively, from what I can see online. It’s a college town, most apartments are rented by students. And at this point of the year, most are rented. I have sent out several emails and no one gets back to me, and the one that did asked me to fill out an application without even seeing the place. Like I am supposed to trust the pics online.
Most of the apartments listed only have a pic of the outside of the building, and no floor diagram. I am wondering if they have so much demand that they barely need to advertise.
Adding to what I said above, I tend to overthink things. I will get approved for an apartment, just wonder about the better locations in this town. I guess I could boil down my whole OP into the co-signer question. Thinking about it now, how could that hurt? Most college students would have thier parents as the co-signer if not the primary one
I don’t need a co-signer. See above, I overthink things. People do move to new cities with new jobs and rent apartments. I would think a confirmation of my new job along with everything else would get my the apartment. ASSUming I can actually get to see one in person, not having much luck with that so far
Let the landlord bring it up, if he feels it’s necessary.
Alternatively, look for a local property management company, rather than an individual unit for lease. That way, you’re essentially applying for multiple available homes at the same time.
My advice would be to leave your stuff in storage and go with short-term housing for a few months (even out of town a bit if needed) while you find the right place. It’s gonna cost more but you’ll have more time to find a place you like.
Speaking as an NJ landlord (I know you’re in VA), I think you’ll be fine. I spent more time reading your OP than I spend reading the backgrounds of my tenants. They have a job? Done.
Really. In this LIfe in the Time of COVID, a new job might actually be an advantage. Many have been laid off and more probably will be, even if they have 10 years on a job. I didn’t consider how many applicants you might get from totally unqualified people. Would you say it is a majority?
In Hudson County, NJ at the moment, we are definitely in “beggars can’t be choosers” mode when it comes to tenants. People are generally moving out of the area, not wanting to be trapped for another year of lockdowns in a 1BR or studio in NYC, Hoboken, or Jersey City.
Have you (or other landlords) considered not locking people into year-long contracts?
I was surprised the other day when I had to cancel a plane ticket. My whole life doing that came with a penalty fee or was not even possible.
Today, absolutely no fuss. Pushed one button and it was done. I did not get a refund but I can use that money for another trip with no penalties or fees attached.
Maybe do month-to-month at $1200/month and a year lease at 1000/month. Just making numbers up but surely there are creative ways to deal with this to attract more tenants.
Landlords are offering stuff like paying the realtor fee (effectively 1 month rent) and other incentives. We’re pretty flexible about stuff like that, but mostly it’s just an inventory issue. Lot of places up for rent without a lot of people looking to rent them. And our place is ok, but it’s an old building. Lot of new condos on the market.
Going to have to do this. Finally heard back from one place, they wanted $15 application fee and $150 admin fee. Didn’t offer to schedule and appt to see the place. Now if there is only one apt available and a tenant is still there, I could understand. They sent a link to two places with a diagram but it didn’t have dimensions. And they said that some units have a washer/dryer and a balcony. And I have to call for the price.
Application fees are pretty normal. I have seen them go as high as $50.
I’d tell them they get their admin fee if you sign the lease and not before.
Of course, if you are in a tight spot then maybe you cannot afford to be choosy.
If you have time you can look-up local laws regarding apartment rentals. Many big cities have very strict rules for landlords and tenants. They have had a hundred years of the two fucking each other over in non-stop creative ways that they now have loads of regulations on the books. Some big cities even have tenant hotlines you can call to discuss your rights.
(the above links are for Chicago which does not help you, there for an example…every place is different)
I decided not to take that job. For the first time in my life, I have no urgency to find either a job or apartment, for a couple of months. But I didn’t let them know I am currently unemployed, and responded this way-
Thank you for getting back to me. I am sorry, but I am not going to apply for an apartment that I have not yet seen, especially since I do not know if it includes washer, dryer and personal balcony or patio. Your email said that some of them do. I don’t even know the price of the apartments you have listed as your website says to call to find that out. I did find on your website a diagram of two apartments, but they did not include dimensions. If you could please provide me with all of this information I would greatly appreciate it.
I almost asked them if I could get the apartment even if I am currently unemployed, if I have a co-signer with 100k income and perfect credit. Because, while I don’t have an urgent need toget my own place, I would like to. But decided not to say that at this point.
I was in a similar situation towards the beginning of the year, when I moved myself cross-country. I wanted to know exactly where I’d live before applying for “real” jobs, and wound up having to get a co-signer since I wasn’t employed, even though I had sufficient savings to cover deposits, 1st (and even 2nd) month rent, etc.
Once I had a cosigner (who had to apply separately, hence a 2nd application fee) I was okay to rent.