Looking to place a tenant with poor credit

[Shawn M Hannan]

Hello Everyone,

For quite a while now I've been working with a client who wants to lease an apartment on the south side of Chicago.  She has credit issues (score unknown) and is self-employed.  She lives with her mother currently, and I think they both would like for her to get her own place.  According to my client, her mom will "co-sign" on a lease, but in my experience landlords are interested in the credit and income of the adults who will actually live in their apartments, so a prospective tenant having a supportive mother doesn't impress them.

Can anyone offer suggestions for this client, aside from getting her credit cleaned up?

Thanks,

Shawn

[John Clark]

You leave out the most important facts: W-H-Y is this woman's credit bad? Medical bills is one thing, and a landlord will be more amenable to help someone who has some chronic condition that left them broke. Irresponsible borrowing shows a lack of discipline, and no landlord wants that. Carries over into lifestyle and behavior too often. As for "self-employed," we all know that's code for "unemployed." Can she show you her income taxes or statements?