HOMELESS! ANY ADVICE IS APPRECIATED!

[BAB]

Actually, my monthly income is ok. I have about 400.00/mo to put towards savings after all my living expenses are taken care of. I tried craigslist, but there are no listings for room mates. I will be going by the apartments today after work to speak with management about my credit scores and see what can be done. I will ask that she look over the report that i pulled myself. I dont want to apply for an apartment and not get approved. I dont want the inquiry on my report.

[BAB]

Im have the available funds to pay the $300 to the landlord, but i kind of wished that i would have known before it appeared on my credit report. I didn't know that it was on there until a year after the fact when i pulled my report. I fullfilled my lease and did not have any evictions. The landlord just said that I did not get the apartment professionally cleaned before i left???? Anyhow, i will pay the $300. It is with a collection agency now. I have sent a PFD letter about 3-4 weeks ago and havent heard anything. Im wondering should I call or continue to communicate throught the mail. I have paid the Utility bill and sent a GW letter...Still no response from them. I just feel so hopeless. The floor at my relative's house is kind of getting hard for a bed.

[Anonymous]

i know it's tough and i wish i could help you personally.

but speaking as a landlord, your former landlord just wants to get paid.  i clean the apts myself and i wouldn't expect a tenant to "professionally" clean an apt, just take everything with you and make sure it's reasonable so i don't have to put on the hazmat suit before entering.  so while i don't think you having to pay the $300 is entirely fair, maybe it's best just to do it and be done with it

speak with the landlord and see what can be done.  maybe if you pay them they can be a good reference for you.  that could only help. 

i wish you the best of luck.  while i don't think a few mistakes should make you homeless, i hope you can see this from a future landlords perspective.  too much money, blood, sweat and tears go into these buildings to let people who may not be responsible stay there and potentially cause expense eviction issues, expensive damage and drama with other tenants.

again, good luck

[Red1Blue]

I was in your shoes about 18 months ago. I could not rent an apartment where I am working on a project. I got my act together and cleaned up my credit. You can start making settlement offers and see if you can start getting some of the negatives out. You can also dispute the accuaracy of the items.

[BAB]

Follow-up:

I never heard anything from the CA after i sent a PFD letter 3 weeks ago. I really need this Landlord situation taken care of asap because i need an apartment like ASAP! The CA who has the OC acct says that the OC doesnt have it and they gave it to them. The CA gave me a long lecture and told me to pay the acct, $311 and i would be able to get a place, but it will show up as a paid collection. She says that she can not take it off my report. They havent updated this account in a year. She said that either way the cut go, i will have to pay to get an apt. If i leave it upaid, i will have no luck in renting. But, she says that the best thing to do is pay the entire balance and it will show as "Paid Collection"......I was thinking, maybe i should just do it and get it over with,,,then go apply for an apartment and have a sit down and explain the situation to my prospective landlord before i apply for the apartment...What do you think? 

[Anonymous]

i'd go to the landlord first

[BAB]

I tried bypassing the CA and going to the landlord. I explained to her that I have been renting from her for almost 10 years and I was not aware of any extra charges that was added on after I had fullfilled my lease. The landlord just listened to my story and said that they do not have the account anymore that I will have to give the CA a call and set up payment. Thats it.

[Anonymous]

this is what i would do.  i would get a copy of my report and bring it with me to view the apartment.  explain what's going on.  have other references available maybe from a different landlord, if possible.

impress them and be prepared to pay a higher deposit.  maybe first months, last months and security.  it's up to state laws on how much a landlord can charge you.

then be a model tenant like it sounds like you are.

also, check with friends, family and co-workers to see if you can't rent from the same landlord.  i LOVE getting referrals from good tenants.  in fact i give rent credits, often permanent, to tenants who find someone to rent from me when i have a vacancy.

you'll probably be charged an application fee from each landlord you see.  it would save a lot of money if you were upfront about the issue.

[BAB]

Thank you for taking the time to read and offering advice. I will be visiting with the prosepective landlord on this afternoon to sit down and explain my situation. I will post the results tonight.

Wish me Luck and Keep me Lifted in Prayer...

Thank you guys!

~Bee

[BAB]

Update:

I met with a prospective landlord on today and was VERY open about the negatives that will appear on my credit report. She asked me to bring in proof that they were paid off. (I guess there goes my PFD letters). I had to pay the CA in full in order for the Landlord to consider my application. I filled out a rental application on today. The Landlord said that she is going to process the application and get back with me within 2 business days.

I guess my thing now is that i restarted the cycle for the collection to stay on my credit report for another 7 years. This CA was a pain about the entire process so i kno that it is going to be tough to convince them into removing the baddie since i paid them in full. I dont want to live in the same apartments for 7 years! I just needed somewhere to live until i can get my credit score to rising.

Step 1 has been completed, filling out the application. Please keep me lifted in prayer that everything goes fine and i get an apartment. Wow! And my birthday is like a week from now. Dont want a bad decision to spoil my 31st birthday.