Whether you’re an international student or a first-time renter — you may find the “guarantor” requirement on your dream apartment’s lease a bit confusing! No matter your situation, understanding what guarantors are, why they’re required by many apartment properties, and what to do if you can’t find a guarantor is key to landing your dream rental home.
Finding an apartment can be difficult, especially when it’s your first apartment. Once you find the right one, you may also find out that the landlord runs a background check on lease applicants—and he or she wants your permission to run one on you.
When you’re hunting for a bargain, timing can be everything. We’ve all browsed sales waiting for the right time to buy a television or car—holding off for seasonal savings such as Black Friday. But did you know there’s also a best time of year to rent an apartment?
More and more Americans are choosing to work freelance, be self-employed, or join the gig economy. This has caused the typical rental application process to shift dramatically from even five years ago.
When you find an apartment you really love, you don’t want to give up on it due to a shaky financial track record. Even if you have a less than stellar credit history, there are many things you can do to improve your score in both the short, and long term. Follow along as we dive into how your credit score works and learn what you can do to work on improving your credit score, no matter your financial background.
Do you flinch at the thought of the words “fiscally responsible?” Does your head spin every time the cashier asks if you have a Nordstrom/Gap/PacSun card? Do your nightmares consist of dollar bills flying out of your wallet and into a pool of Wall Street-looking business men? Relax! If you’re new to managing your own finances and establishing credit, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few basic things that all credit card noobs should know.
Whatever the size of the apartment you’re applying for—from efficiency to two-bedroom apartments to lofts—you’ll probably have to undergo a credit check when you submit your application. Because landlords are trying to find out whether you would be a reliable renter, they look at your report for things like debt, consistency, predictability, and your previous rental history. But what happens when they actually go to check that report?
