Finding a place to stay after BK

[shaneemkh]

I'm curious to know if anyone has any suggestions or may have been in the same situation. It took me a whole year to file for BK and once I did in April 2016 I had moved out of my apartment to another state. My BK was discharged in Aug 2016. I was excited because I was going to start looking for places to stay. I've been staying with family for the past 10 months. I've been looking and it just seems stressful. I only filled one application out and the landlord wanted to know what was my reason for filing. If it was medical or credit cards. So I gave a brief explanation and I never heard from them again. 

It was pretty obvious it was because if my BK. And after that I'm unsure on how to go about the renting process. I decided before even seeing the place that I talk to the person leasing it and be straight up so my time or theirs isnt wasted. At the moment I have no debt but one credit card which is just $300. I'm in school part time and have at least enough saved to pay four months rent. Any suggestions.

[Anonymous]

You might do better looking on Craigs List and finding something for rent by owner.

Not all owners do a credit check.  If they get a good vibe from you in person they may not even think of doing a credit check.

Also they may be more willing to accept your explanation if they need to rent the place.  

A manager of a complex doesn't care as much if 1 unit sits empty.

Look on CL for 2 family house, small apartment style condos for rent and go see it and talk to the owner don't bring up credit unless asked.

[empressj]

I worry about this very same thing. Our lease is up next July and hope filing bk won't affect our rental history and chance at moving next year. Maybe we'll be able to be approved for a mortgage on a townhouse. I can only hope and pray !

[pizza1]

First... Its none of their **bleep** business why you filed a BK, and can't ask you those questions!

second...dont waste anymore HP's on your credit , and $25-$45 per app at a pop by apping to several places. Just wait and "inquire".

This is what I did after my BK..( also, apartment complexes will also have a min score and usually pull EQ, to be accepted. Apt complexes also know that people with a BK can now qualify for a home with a score of 580-600! So, their scores would have to be around the same for acceptance, unless its a luxury complex)

I went around, and looked at different places, and narrowed it down to 3. I talked in private to the apt complex manager, and told them I have a BK on my reports, for personal reasons, but need a a new place to stay.

I asked their min score requirements, and I also knew all my scores going in as well, Id advise that! Anyway, Found a place, spoke with manager, and managers have quotas to keep their community at a certain percentage capacity, so they will be willing to do what they can to get you in!.

You might have a higher deposit to pay, but there are lots of places that will rent to you!. Some will say they are OK with they BK reporting if your score meets min, and you have positive reporting after the BK.

If you have a manager willing to work with you, after speaking to them in private, you'll most likely get in. Good luck!!

[shaneemkh]

Yea I was the same way. I wished I filled sooner that way I would've been a year in and not 2 months into my discharge. Good luck with you move next year. I'm thinking of buying within the next year or two as well.

[shaneemkh]

Yea that's the thing I found the place on craigslist. I found one place saying you have to be 6 months for your discgarge. I thought about renting with my sister for the time being. Thanks for the reponse.

[shaneemkh]

I wondered the same think. If I should ecen tell them. I thought being honest would help for the first application but the guy took my application and never responded. I kind of worry about that due to all my info being on there. Thank I appreciate the advice. My scores are exactly between that. EQ is 8 points to 600. I guess I'll get back out there and start looking.