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How difficult is to rent an apartment with no rent history and fair credit?

I have been paying rent to in-laws for a house for the last 7 years and now want to rent an apartment. With fair credit and a stable job, what are my realistic chances of being able to rent?? I have been at my job for 6 years.

Public Comments

1. get a refference from your inlaws.... it depends how desperate the real estate agency is to get rid of the house.... depends on the competition you have for it
2. Your chances are very high especially in these bad economic times and a collapsing real estate market.
3. I wouldn't suggest moving into a apartment. You will be throwing away so much money. It will make you sick when you finally do move out (trust me) You should have no problems getting one though if that's what you want to do. Since you have been at your job for 6 years why don't you take advantage of what's happening in the housing market right now and buy a beautiful house? You should have no problems getting a mortgage especially with you being at the same job for 6 years. That would be the smartest thing to do ... Just don't get in over your heads and Please don't rent a apartment! Think about it Why wait for the economy to get better ..buy a house now so you can get a deal
4. Depends on what your definition of *fair credit* is. If you mean a FICO of 500, you might have some issues! LOL If you have a ton of accounts in collections or over 30 days late..you might have a problem. If not, you should be ok.
5. As a former apartment manager I would question why you would want to rent now after seven years. This would tell me that something big time must had happen between you and your in-laws. Or you were overwhelm with bills to pay off. Do you have rent receipts or previous income tax papers to show that you were renting from them? You should have a very large saving account or a audit trail to reflect your income over the last seven years. Your credit report will reflect your job history and if you are current with all of your creditors. Did you file bankruptcy within the last seven years? Where you ever evicted from a place? Do you have any charge off (noncollectable) items on your credit report? Do you have a criminal record? If you are currently debt free I would say that you have a great chance of finding a nice place to live.
6. Many apartment complexes are 1/2 full. They desperately need tenants. You will get a place if your fair credit score is 621 or above..