How to Rent an Apartment With Bad Credit

Many landlords will not rent an apartment to a tenant who has a bad credit rating. If the tenant is in the process of repairing damaged credit, a landlord may consider renting the apartment. There are other ways to rent an apartment that a tenant can explore, such as offering to pay more rent each month or finding a roommate.

• Review your current bills and make a list of the ones that are past due. Try to bring the late payments up-to-date. When you apply for an apartment rental, tell the landlord that even though your credit report shows a slow history, all of your bills are now current.


• Find someone to co-sign for an apartment rental. Have a relative or friend who has a good credit rating sign with you on the rental contract. Once you pay your rent on time for six months, ask the landlord to remove the cosigner from the agreement.


• Rent an apartment with a roommate who has good credit. Try to get the apartment on your own first to see if the landlord will approve you. Have your roommate apply for the rental and offer to pay a little more of the rent as compensation.


• Search for apartment owner’s that do not require a credit check. Look in the newspaper under "apartment rentals" and see if any of the listings do not require a credit check. Make sure that the apartment is in a safe neighborhood before you sign the rental contract.  


• Offer to pay more to rent an apartment. Ask the landlord if you can pay an extra amount until your bring all of your bad credit up-to-date. If the landlord agrees, be sure to get the promise in writing. Once you pay all of your past due bills, ask the landlord to pull up your credit report. After the landlord sees that you are current, make sure that your rent drops to the normal tenant rate.