It’s not uncommon for individuals to have evictions on their records. After all, an eviction can stay on your record for up to seven years. Unfortunately, many landlords will not rent to anyone who has an eviction. So, how do you rent with an eviction on your record?
How To Rent With An Eviction On Your Record Steps
- Work to Improve Your Credit Score
- Prepare To Truthfully Explain the Eviction
- Father References
- Create a Renter Resume
- Consider Renting From a Private Landlord
- Work With an Apartment Locator or Rental Broker
- Offer To Pay a Higher Deposit
- Get a Co-signer
1. Work to Improve Your Credit Score
The first step to renting with an eviction on your record is to work on improving your credit score. An impressive credit score will help prove to a landlord that you can be trusted, even if you've been evicted in the past. There are many ways to improve your credit score before the application process. You can spend less than 30% of your credit line at a time, be conscious of your spending, and make your payments on time.
Get started on this improvement right away, and make sure it’s above 670 before you apply for the place. You should also be ready to be friendly with the landlord. The closer you are, the more likely they are to accept you.
2. Prepare to Truthfully Explain the Eviction
You'll also need to be prepared to explain what happened if you want to get an apartment with an eviction. Honesty is always the best policy, and that’s especially true for this situation. You should be ready to be honest about the eviction and explain the situation to your potential landlord. You need to prove that this issue won’t happen again. Show a pet resume if you had trouble with animals and pay more if you failed to meet your rent last time.
Ensure you’re professional when you meet with the landlord. Be polite and do everything you can to be friendly. If you try your best and they still say no, you might want to look for an apartment elsewhere. There is sure to be a choice out there that will work with your history.
3. Gather References
It’s best if you have other people to support you. Gather references who can vouch for you and prove that you are capable of making rental payments on time. The more you have, the better. You can gather friends, former employers, and even other landlords to prove you will be a good tenant.
Everyone makes mistakes. If you have a support team to prove that this was a one-time error, you will be better off for it. Make a list and select the people that will help your case best.
4. Create a Renter Resume
A renter resume is an in-depth look at every aspect of your life. Essentially, it’s like creating a little essay that will prove to a landlord that you will be a good tenant for their property. A renter resume should have items like your income, references, employment history, and any other relevant information to prove your case.
The document should be typed and readable. Treat it like a professional resume for the best results. Getting an apartment is a job, and the landlord is the employer you want to work for in your life. Treat it like a dream job.
5. Consider Renting From a Private Landlord
You might consider renting from a private landlord if you have an eviction notice on your record. If you rent privately, it’s more personal, so you have a better opportunity to get to know the landlord and explain your situation to them face-to-face. A better impression will make the rental more likely.
There are plenty of rentals available from private landlords, but you will need to know where to look. Often, the best places to find private landlords are on Facebook, other social media sites, and through your network of friends and family.
6. Work With an Apartment Locator or Rental Broker
Many individuals are unaware of apartment locators and rental brokers. These individuals and companies can help you find apartments that suit your life, and they prepare you for the application process. If you need help, you can find it if you get a rental realtor to work with you.
It never hurts to ask for help, especially if you have an eviction and have no idea what to do. Reach out to a company and see if they will help you prepare for the search. This choice is best for renters who prefer human interaction in their search.
7. Offer To Pay a Higher Deposit
Money is always a winner. If your finances allow for it, you can offer to pay a higher deposit for the apartment. Ideally, this amount would be two to three months of rent right away. This action should make a good impression on the landlord. It will also pad their pockets.
A higher deposit is a legal bribe. It will also get rid of financial worries for a couple of months. If you’re serious about proving you’re worthy of the apartment, go for the gold with this strategy. It’s sure to be a winner.
8. Get a Co-Signer
Another way to get an apartment with an eviction is to get a co-signer for the lease. You can also find someone who will rent the apartment with you. If you take this measure, the landlord will take your and your friend’s history into account. They can save your rent.
If you get a co-signer, it’s critical to remember that they are responsible for the place. Ensure they are okay with that before they commit to this process.
Renting With An Eviction On Your Record Bottom Line
While renting an apartment with an eviction on your record can be challenging, it's not impossible. You'll need to prepare ahead of time so that you can convince the landlord you will be a responsible and trustworthy tenant. You'll also need to be ready to explain your eviction and why it won't happen again. It won't be too hard to get an apartment with an eviction on your record as long as you're honest and willing to prove that you're reliable and can be counted on to pay the rent on time.