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Be careful, I got declined outright, but my GF got approved and the apartment company I was attempting to lease thru wouldn't budge at all to let me on the lease. I think it depends on the company try to find a local company or someone who will work with you, I went in and with the app sent a letter advising that I had poor credit but I was working and making a good wage for the area and willing to put info down and the apartment manager disregarded the letter entirely and said I cant override the system (whcih I understand their motives entirely I'm a higher then normal risk, but I'm still salty about it)
I know that in my area, no managed complexes will rent to you if you owe a balance to another property. Best bet is a private landlord if you can't get it excluded. e.g., since you've already applied, you probably won't get it off before your credit is pulled.
How does the exclusion date "keep changing"??
If the item on your credit report is a collection, it becomes excluded as of a factual date-certain that cannot change based on anything that has occured since you first became delinquent on the debt.
A collection is required under the FCRA to become excluded no later than 7 years plus 180 days from the date you first became delinquent, and thereafter remained delinquent up to the time the debt collector opened their collection.
The CRAs rountinely exclude at approx 7 years from DOFD.
Since you stated that you became delinquent 7 years ago, the collection should be nearing its death.
You need to find the reported DOFD, and make sure it still accurately reflects the date you first became delinquent.