I am 23 years old living in wilmington North Carolina and I am finding it very difficult to find a place to live here even though I have been living here for almost eight years. I do not have very good credit, but I have a great job that pays well. I have been denied access into almost all of the apartment complexes here mainly because of a dismissed drug charge in which I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I tried to get the charge expunged but the apartment complexes said that it would not matter. I feel this is discrimination but I don't have time to fight them. I have three days left to find a place to live and no idea how I am going to do it. Should I try rental agencies? Will they accept my not so great credit? Somebody please give me some advice.
2007-02-27 03:43:34 · 5 answers · asked by nita23 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
If you have a good relationship with your parents, or another trusting adult, you can have them rent the place for you while you live there. Legelly they would have to sign the lease and be responsible for payment (but I know you would always pay on time).
or
See if you can stay with someone (a friend) for a couple of months while you sort this out. You have to fight this now or it will follow you FOREVER.
or
Look in the newspaper or online for people who might be renting their houses (or rooms in their house) such as people who own multiple properties, empty nesters or college students. they usually cost less than an apartment and most don't check your records.
I reccomend http://wilmington.craigslist.org/
There are laws against what the apartment complexes are doing. I would recommend you contact the corporate offices of the rental companies and let them know what they are doing. A lot of the time, the individual companies won't feel like they should give you a lease but they legally have to. They do this without the knowledge of their corporate office.
This probably wouldn't be so bad if you had great credit. Make a commitment to yourself right now that you will improve that. If you need help, I reccomend the Suze Orman book "young, fabulous and broke" it changed my life.
Hope this helps
2007-02-27 04:12:46 · answer #1 · answered by M J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can go with a friend/boyfriend/relative/parent and look at the apartment "together." Have that other person apply for the lease, and therefore that person's credit and background will be checked. This is, of course, fraud, but it will work.
PS-your credit may be what's hurting you more than the drug charge. Especially if it was dismissed...I find it hard to believe that would hurt you. I know lots of people with lots of actual drug history on their records that rent perfectly nice apartments all over the south including in NC (granted, not in your specific town). Usually landlords only care about criminal offenses if they have to do with theft or assault--something that can affect them or other tenants. They may be using the drug charge as an easy "out." Keep trying--and fix your credit.
2007-02-27 05:26:38 · answer #2 · answered by lizzgeorge 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might try looking in the newspaper Nita, for someplace like a "mom & pop" apartment, garage apartment, or whatever. The major companies also want you to have good credit. But going to a rental agency is a good idea if they can find you an apartment.
Please take the time to read Dave Ramsey's book after you get settled. "The Total Money Makeover" is available at book stores or at www.daveramsey.com
Good Luck
2007-02-27 03:53:57 · answer #3 · answered by snvffy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you could look at renting a mobile home or house from an individual. Try the newspaper classified ads under real estate rentals. Individuals usually aren't as picky about rental applications, background checks and so on. Just tell them you've got a good job that pays well and haven't rented an apartment anywhere lately so your references would be old. Give 'em a big smile and turn on the charm.
2007-02-27 03:51:39 · answer #4 · answered by Peggy K 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
suggest you stop knocking at door that don't want you.
drive through some residential area , looking for garage apartments. knock on doors. start there. once you have a few yrs under you belt start looking agin. visit daveramsey.com to learn some more things about your money .
try rental agencies what do you have to lose, besides you don't have the luxury of being choosy
2007-02-27 03:54:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋