renting and single mothers - what do landlords really think?

Question

I have recently separated from my hubby after being together 10 years and for the past 8 years we have been paying off our own home. I had a great rental history when I did rent but after 8 years I didn’t keep receipts and real estates don’t keep old records of tenants, even some of the real estates I rented with when younger are not even ar4ound today.....Now that I am trying to rent again its so hard I get “no sorry” you didn’t get the place
Is this because I am a single mum or what?? They keep saying oh its harder with no rent receipts.. Doesn’t owing your own home for 8 years count?

Answer 1

U have alot of good answers, but one thing is not mentioned, u say u and husband owned this home, is ur name on the mortgage if so u do have history a mortgage in most states of course is rental history! When ur credit report is run ur mortgage pmts should show, do u have alot of late pmts. if so this would hurt u getting a place, or is the report only showing the mortgage in your husbands name, if so and u r or were on the paperwork, get a copy asap from the mortgage company. I saw your answers and they spoke of rental receipts I do not see the reason for this since u have 8 yrs in that home, get ur info together. Now if u do not make at least 2 times the rental amt or have bad credit this can cause u problems. Really the easiest way for u would be to call a apartment locator, tell him or her ur situation, ur income, credit, area u wish to live, rental amt u r looking for, they will do the leg work, and save u not only time, but app fees and rejection as well. In most states that I know of there is no charge to u for the locator the apt. pays a % to the locator after u move on their property. U can find apt. locators right in the free apt. papers and guides u see in the stands at stores etc. or call info in ur area and get a # for a apt. locator. Remember tell all a locator cannot help u if u dont fill them in on all circumstances. Some apts. may want an extra deposit, or u may need a co-signer, in no way do I believe being a single mother has anything to do with your recent problems, single mothers are a great % of the leasers out there, so hope this has helped u, HAPPY NEW YEAR 07 WILL BE GOOD U WILL SEE!

Answer 2

I agree with JUSTME. I manage apartments and we look at the facts when we evaluate someone who wants to rent. Credit report ok? Different companies have different criteria for a credit report, but our company does not count a medical as a bad account. You have a rental history but it's too old. Most companies do not keep rental records past 5 years. Yours are shredded, no doubt. Without a rental reference you would have to have more good than bad and an income equaling 2X your monthly rent to qualify. i.e. if the rent is 450 - you have to bring home 900.
Good luck and lose the single mom chip on your shoulder. It isn't a liability and it isn't a asset.

Answer 3

First of all it is illegal to discriminate based on the makeup of the household.

If they are turning you down my guess it is based on income to expense ratio. In my business we require that your rent be no more than 35% of your income. We also do criminal and rental history verification, but we would consider your circumstances.

The second possibility is discrimination, that is VERY RARE despite what others might have you think. Why the heck would anyone turn down a good renter based on what color they are or if they have children?

Answer 4

The landlord decides on who gets his apartment. If you have no history, then, he would go with someone that did. The house was in both names, I assume. "They" automatically think that your hubby was the bread winner and payer. If you have no credit on your own, suggest you get a credit card now and build it up. Just because you are a single mother is not the reason you are not getting rented to.

Answer 5

Find a way to document your home ownership. Being a single parent isn't really anything they consider, but you need to prove you are a worthy risk. Maybe get a letter verifying income from an employer that you can submit with an application.

Answer 6

Dont worry about it as long as your credit report is good you will be ok.