Austin tech professional looking for housing - excellent credit.

[Rama N.]

Hi BiggerPockets landlords,

Not sure if this is the right place to post, but I'm a 26 y/o Fortune 500 software developer who is moving to Austin, TX.

I have:

- a senior engineering position at my company that I've held for the last few years
- a 6 figure income
- excellent credit
- excellent references
- no pets

My one problem is that 6 years ago, when I was a teenager in college, I was charged with possession of Xanax without a prescription. I was not prosecuted for it and I have a letter from my lawyer backing this up.

I have absolutely no other background issues.

Despite this, apartment complexes in Austin won't rent to me. 

I just want a studio or a 1BR in a decent area in central Austin (near my workplace), between Hyde Park and SoCo, or anywhere along the river. I have attached a screenshot of the zip codes I am interested in living in.

Can anyone help me? 

My only options seem to be very far out of town or otherwise in disrepair. I can provide documentation for everything I have stated here, and even several months of rent upfront. 

My record is currently up for absolute pardon and will be sealed in the next 8-12 months, so I just need somewhere to live for that period until I can apply for housing through normal avenues again.

Any help is very much appreciated. I had no idea that as a young girl such a stupid indiscretion would land me in this situation.

Thanks for your understanding. 

[Brooke Roeder]

Hey Rama! I think your best place to start is renting directly from a landlord/homeowner so you can work with a real person rather than deal with corporate protocol. How do feel about garage apartments or condos? I’m happy to ask around for you. Another option might be reaching out to Airbnb hosts to see if someone would rent monthly for 8-12 months for a reasonable rate, until you can get your record sealed.