You could have a judgment against you for a variety of reasons, such as unpaid medical bills, a past broken lease, or other financial obligations. Sadly, some companies will not rent to people with past judgments against them, but that does not mean you should lose hope in your hunt for a place to live.
Here are some strategies that may help you get into the apartment that is right for you.
Pay the Judgment Off Quickly and Consistently
If you are able to, pay the money you owe on your judgment as quickly as you can. Once the judgment has been paid in full, many states have regulations in place that will remove the judgment from your credit record within thirty days. If it has not cleared yet, but you have paid off the required amount, make sure to get documentation that you have cleared the debt. You can submit that documentation personally, if you need to, to credit agencies.
Remember, even if the judgment is removed from your credit record, there will still be court documents out there that detail the judgment and your potential landlord will likely have access to them. Make sure you are ready to explain your situation and follow some of the other tips here, if that becomes the case.
If paying off the debt is not an option, be ready to provide evidence that you will be able to pay off your judgment at a consistent rate while still making your rental payments as well. When you meet with the manager or leasing agent for your rental, make sure to have things like your pay stubs, tax documents, and bank statements ready. Showing these documents and your ability to make all the needed payments may give your landlord incentive to work with you.
Offer a Large Deposit
A landlord may see taking on a tenant with a judgment as a huge risk, but they might be willing to overlook that risk if you provide a large deposit as insurance. This will give them confidence in your ability to make future rental payments.
Work With an Apartment Locator
Like a real estate agent, apartment locators will be familiar with your local market and they may have an idea of who will be willing to rent to you. They also have built a rapport with local landlords and property owners and may be able to vouch for you.
Find an Advocate
Advocacy services can help with credit counseling and other services, which might make you more appealing as a potential tenant. These agencies can help provide strategies to restore poor credit and make the steps you are taking to improve your credit more obvious, thanks to a paper trail.
You can also ask these agencies to vouch for you to a potential landlord, which can help to make you look like a more solid investment. Advocacy agencies are a great way to show that you are taking responsibility for financial mistakes or missteps of the past and working to rectify them.
You May Have to Adjust Your Standards
Some property owners don’t run credit checks, so you may want to look for smaller companies or private landlords who are less likely to run full credit checks on potential renters. They may consider renting to you based on your personal contact with them and your demeanor, so show up looking professional and do your best to keep the conversation amiable.
Big rental companies and luxury apartments have very strict guidelines that their employees can’t bend, so you may want to skip these kinds of rentals altogether. More than likely, they won’t take a second glance at you after reading your score.
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Make Good on Your New Rental Agreement
The best way to improve your credit and show that you are a good tenant is to stay caught up on your new rental agreement. Pay your rent on time and do not break your lease or allow payments to pile up.
If you lowered your standards and have rented an apartment that was not quite what you wanted, making consistent rental payments for a year or two can make you look a lot more appealing as a potential tenant, even if the judgment is still on your credit history. As a bonus, if you Master These DIY Skills to Decorate Your Rental, you could still enjoy a homey locale that keeps you happy.
Though renting an apartment with a judgment on your record may seem like a daunting task, you actually have a lot of options to work through this issue. Using all the tools at your disposal could put you on the right track to finding and renting a place that you really love.