First. I agree that this would allow some shady characters slide by. Or in.
However, I ask you to consider the other side of this. Such as myself; single mom, full time job, good person… Covid, like many others destroyed my way of life. I use “destroy” with hesitancy as to not sound dramatic or self-pitying but there is no other word that accurately reflects my covid experience and existence after.
my great job with a start up collapsed. The industry I work in, entertainment, shut down, no one was hiring. My fall back? Restaurant work. They closed too. I was unable to pay my car payment and feel far behind and had priorities to rent, so I lost our car. I started to drive for Uber because of the car rental program they have (rent a car thru them, pay approx $250 a week and u can use car for personal use. Uber kept us in our apartment. Just prior to covid, literally a month before I went through a divorce and family court. To pay fees and then to pay rent during covid (unfortunately I had yet to have the luxury of a savings) I maxed out the one card I had. Then a loan, another loan, then in an emergency when no bank loans were avail, I turned to the payday loans which is 257% apr no joke (borrow $1000 payback $3000). Without the ability to stay on top of bills, my credit plummeted. In addition to still being attached to ny kids fathers credit negligence, it sank further. And further.
Now, today, due to our building being sorely neglected during covid (poor landlord, as crappy as he was, I felt badly knowing a lot of tenants just stopped paying rent at all and he suffered greatly) but our building slowly turned into just a step above .. well .. crusty water, slippery stairs, no maintenance avail, self plumbing fix when issues arose, etc etc.
we found mold in a closet so we gave 30 days.
However, because of my credit score which is shockingly 540, I have been unable to get approved for ANY apartment as of now. The management companies have strict guidelines and you get an immediate denial when I hope to be taken as an individual.. I can explain the poor credit. I have bank statements, check stubs, references, 1000% CLEAR background check. But the applications come back a hard no.
if I find a rent by owner apartment, I can win them over meeting in person, my kids are teenagers but respectful and well mannered, and can get approved but because they’ve all been so screwed during covid it has a bad tenant before you, the security deposits are outrageous. Legal. But outrageous. For someone like myself anyway. I live in LA. First and last month plus a month for security deposit. For a 2 bedroom I’m looking at at least 6 grand down. For a 1 bedroom it’s about the same minus a few hundred.
I’ve even look at studios which in a low end run $1600. Same thing.
now while I’m prepared to pay two months rent. (Will be tough but I can do it) but I just don’t have $6000 to give AND pay rent in 10 days AND pay my sons tuition AND get gas…
Soooo, my very long story short. The renters ID is something I’ve looked into and honestly, am seriously considering it. From what I understand is it will show I have no credit instead of a terrible score of late and non payments. I’m working to raise my score organically of course but that will take months and we are technically homeless. My kids are at friends and I stay at a friends but they have young children so the couch is in the way so I’ve slept in my car and every day I look for a place and hope to find the one manager/owner/rental agency who will take a chance on me.
with a renters ID, no credit isn’t ideal at all but I’m hearing that renters are more likely to work with you - and some application qualifications mention that no credit will be considered with larger deposits. Where as a 540 is a no way no how.
So all I’m saying is if there was a universal way for a landlord or renter to take their applicants based on ALL info gathered rather than just a no. Especially after we have all gone thru a really hard time and most of us are still recovering/reeling.
I DO understand and if I were renting a place I don’t think I’d want to mess with an unsure thing either. I need a sure thing and I GET that no one wants to risk it.
Even with my good job and bank account status and references etc.
To the landlords here… suggestions? What’s the middle ground or something people like myself can do or share or show or prove that we are worthy and we are NOT our credit history.
Please lmk. Because my son is home from college late May and as of now, I don’t have a home. Literally. And while I can handle what comes my way, my kids deserve a place to call home. And no, their dad is a non option.
Please help. Lmk. And please don’t suggest a co-signer - I have just a sister as family.
Thank you!
Janie
