Credit is one of the first things landlords consider when reviewing a potential tenant. If you know you have credit problems for whatever reason, you can take a copy to your landlord when they review the apartment you want. While landlords do not have to accept your credit report copy, you can explain why your credit is the way it is. Also explain to them how you will clear up the issue. Another item to have handy is a rental resume, which should include employment information, references from past landlords and supervisors, and other relevant information. This can be especially helpful if your credit score is not where it should.
If you have bad credit, you can make a compromise by offering an additional deposit or maybe a shorter lease. You can even improve your credit by paying debts and ensuring that everything on your credit report is accurate. Be honest with yourself. It’s going to take time to improve your credit. There is no quick way around this. However, if you are willing to work off any bad credit, the landlord can give you a chance.
As of 2004, the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the three big credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to provide you with a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months. Additional credit reports will cost you $10. It will cost a few dollars more if you would also like a credit score (FICO score), in addition to your report.
Keep in mind that each credit reporting agency will have different information. It all depends on whom your creditors use. You might want to get all three, requesting a different one every few months so you have the complete picture.
And after all that, if your landlord denies you because of your credit report, they must tell you that they did so and provide you with the name and contact information of the credit reporting agency that provided that information to them. Then, that credit reporting agency must provide you with a free copy of your credit report.
And after all that, if your landlord denies you because of your credit report, they must tell you that they did so and provide you with the name and contact information of the credit reporting agency that provided that information to them. Then, that credit reporting agency must provide you with a free copy of your credit report.
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