Tips for getting an apartment?

[BlancoNino]

A buddy and me are both trying to get an apartment here locally. Of all the places we've called, there seems to be only ONE place that meets the requirement. You see, I make around 15k a year, and my buddy makes around 20k a year. I'm in college and he isn't.

The first few places I called said that our combined income can't be over 28k a year. Scratch that.

The next few places I called said that both of us needed to make at least 3 times the rent per month. Not combined, but both of us. That means I have to make at least 1,800 a month. I wish. So scratch that.

There was literally only one place that charged a reasonable price for units and that we fit into the income qualifications. I didn't realize places were so picky about stuff like that. Some places even said that full-time college students were not allowed, and that they didn't do the whole roomate thing (had to be a family).

Any advice?

 

[pstylesss]

get married.

 

[Ns1]

i searched craigslist for 3 months before finding an acceptable apartment.

it's worth the hassle vs getting shafted into an apartment because you NEED housing

 

[KLin]

find someone with a 3 br house and see if they want roommates.

 

[Darwin333]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
A buddy and me are both trying to get an apartment here locally. Of all the places we've called, there seems to be only ONE place that meets the requirement. You see, I make around 15k a year, and my buddy makes around 20k a year. I'm in college and he isn't.

The first few places I called said that our combined income can't be over 28k a year. Scratch that.

The next few places I called said that both of us needed to make at least 3 times the rent per month. Not combined, but both of us. That means I have to make at least 1,800 a month. I wish. So scratch that.

There was literally only one place that charged a reasonable price for units and that we fit into the income qualifications. I didn't realize places were so picky about stuff like that. Some places even said that full-time college students were not allowed, and that they didn't do the whole roomate thing (had to be a family).

Any advice?

Are you trying to get into low income housing or some sort of government subsidy? I have never heard of a "maximum" income in any of the 6 apartments I have lived in.

 

[BlancoNino]

Originally posted by: Darwin333
Are you trying to get into low income housing or some sort of government subsidy? I have never heard of a "maximum" income in any of the 6 apartments I have lived in.

Yeah the first 3 apartment complexes I called all happened to be that way. They really weren't even any cheaper either.

 

[Sphexi]

Housing is always a major pain in the butt to deal with. When we were looking for new housing this summer we'd call places the day that they showed up in the paper, and they'd be gone already. On average 10-15 people would show up for showings in the first hour or so, and one of them would grab it right up.

Just a hint, if you see something that's been advertised for a fairly long time, there's probably a reason for it.

 

[erub]

craigslist is way better than an apartment complex, i'm sure that there are tons of listings for most areas

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Can either of you get a parent to vouch for you? Tell them that the parent will back you, and that you can get it in writing. Their intent is to just make sure they won't have to waste time and resources taking it to court or something.

 

[thepd7]

That's really weird, at our complex they said combined 3x rent was good enough. Just drive around, that's what me and my roomate did.

 

[Parasitic]

Move to a college town?
I thought they just run credit checks?

 

[BlancoNino]

If we both turn in our applications, how do we make it so that we want to move in together? Do I make him a co-applicant?

 

[cherrytwist]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
If we both turn in our applications, how do we make it so that we want to move in together? Do I make him a co-applicant?

get married?

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
If we both turn in our applications, how do we make it so that we want to move in together? Do I make him a co-applicant?

The problem with a roommate situation in an apartment is that co-applicants are really 2 single applicants. If either of you decide to move, the other is going to be stuck with the apartment and the apt complex doesn't want to deal with 3-6 month renters and people breaking the lease.

It's better if you can find someone that has enough money to put their name on the lease and you sublet from them directly without putting your name on the lease. Best advice if you do that is to put your name on the power bill at least so you can work on building a good credit history from your utility bills.

 

[BlancoNino]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
If we both turn in our applications, how do we make it so that we want to move in together? Do I make him a co-applicant?

The problem with a roommate situation in an apartment is that co-applicants are really 2 single applicants. If either of you decide to move, the other is going to be stuck with the apartment and the apt complex doesn't want to deal with 3-6 month renters and people breaking the lease.

It's better if you can find someone that has enough money to put their name on the lease and you sublet from them directly without putting your name on the lease. Best advice if you do that is to put your name on the power bill at least so you can work on building a good credit history from your utility bills.

So it's best to just have me sign a lease with my parents as a financial backing or whatever and then just have the roomate live with me and give me money for half the stuff?

 

[antyler]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
If we both turn in our applications, how do we make it so that we want to move in together? Do I make him a co-applicant?

The problem with a roommate situation in an apartment is that co-applicants are really 2 single applicants. If either of you decide to move, the other is going to be stuck with the apartment and the apt complex doesn't want to deal with 3-6 month renters and people breaking the lease.

It's better if you can find someone that has enough money to put their name on the lease and you sublet from them directly without putting your name on the lease. Best advice if you do that is to put your name on the power bill at least so you can work on building a good credit history from your utility bills.

So it's best to just have me sign a lease with my parents as a financial backing or whatever and then just have the roomate live with me and give me money for half the stuff?

be careful about that. some landlords have it written in the lease that you are not allowed to have anyone, except someone on the lease living there