Last updated on February 20th, 2023 at 09:34 am
On average, 2.7 million households, face eviction each year. There are many reasons behind evictions, including damage to rental property, breaking your agreement with the landlord, numerous complaints against you, or failure to pay rent on time.
While every landlord has these primary fears, having a prior eviction on your record can seriously impair your ability to find a new rental. In fact, many prospective landlords consider having bad credit and getting evicted as major red flags.
It’s embarrassing and frustrating to get evicted from your apartment. But, if you’ve gone through this, don’t give up. Regardless of the reason behind the eviction, there are steps you can take to find your next apartment, just be prepared to exert a little extra effort.
How to find apartments with eviction forgiveness
If you’ve been searching for “apartments with eviction forgiveness near me,” you know how unfruitful that search can be. To increase your chances of finding a rental;
Be honest
Occasionally, a landlord may overlook your eviction history if you’re truthful about what happened, especially what you aren’t responsible for. While you don’t have to go into many details, explaining your situation may help your case when applying for an apartment.
Telling the truth is a sign of strong character, and it gives you the opportunity to present your side of the story first. A reasonable explanation for what happened may make the landlord more understanding and likely to forgive your mistake.
But even with an eviction history, a solid financial history can help your rental application. Your new landlord may be considerate if you maintain a high credit score and pay all of your bills on time.
Consider paying more
While landlords can set up their own payment terms and regulations as long as they’re outlined in the lease agreement, rents are still rising monthly in the US. The most expensive places to live are San Jose, (typical monthly rent $3,283), San Francisco ($3,138), and New York ($3,130).
A few landlords may allow renters with past evictions if they can pay more. Before applying for your new appointment, save up in advance. You can pre-pay several months of rent or pay a higher deposit amount.
Paying more rent in advance shows some stability and lessens the landlord’s uncertainty about your ability to pay rent on time. A larger security deposit–more than one month’s rent–is a sign of good faith, and if you don’t damage the property, you’ll get it back at the end of your lease.
Find a guarantor or co-signer
If you’re having difficulties finding eviction forgiveness rentals, consider getting a co-signer to improve your rental history. A co-signer or guarantor serves as a substitute for a renter who has poor credit or has issues with paying rent.
A guarantor or co-signer is responsible if you don’t pay the rent. They may be a friend, family member, or roommate who takes legal responsibility to pay your rent if you cannot do it on time. They increase your chances of being approved for a rental apartment, despite an eviction record.
A financially stable co-signer can support you and convince the landlord to approve your application. If you’re a student, your parents, or legal guardians can co-sign your lease agreement.
How to find private owners that accept evictions
Find eviction-approved apartments
Apartments that don’t check rental history or care about your past are rare. But the current economic environment favors renters more, so your potential landlord may be more willing to overlook past evictions.
Occasionally, rental listings will specify whether the landlord or apartment conducts a background check as part of the application process. Use apartment locators online to filter eviction-approved apartments or those that don’t require a credit history.
For websites without such features, use a location service to expand your search capabilities and find more apartment options. Apartment locating services can also connect you to landlords who have accepted renters with evictions in the past.
Look for private landlords
It’s easy to find private owners that accept evictions if you know where and what to look for. Websites such as Craigslist may have eviction forgiveness rentals or feature owners with looser rental requirements regarding evictions.
You can also drive around your neighborhood looking for the “for rent” signs private owners place on their properties. Many private owners will not require a credit report, they just want to ensure you’ll pay rent on time.
Explain your situation fully to the private owner and emphasize that you’ll not default on rent in the future. The landlords may also need proof of income, renter’s insurance, a larger deposit, or a bigger monthly payment, to ignore your previous eviction.
How to find low income apartments that accept evictions
Over 19 million renters in the US spend over 30% of their income on housing costs, but it’s still possible to find cheap apartments with eviction forgiveness if you:
Start your search early
Find a rental immediately after you receive the eviction notice. The earlier you start searching, the more likely you’ll find a rental that accepts evictions. If you don’t prepare ahead of time, the process will be more difficult.
Don’t wait for the record to show in your credit report; it will take more effort to find another apartment. If you have a portion of the rent, use an apartment guide to find an apartment community with move-in specials. Occasionally, rental complexes offer move-in specials for as low as $99.
Obtain renter references
Get reference letters from your boss, previous landlord, co-workers, roommate, or family members. This helps verify the quality of your character and prove you’re reliable at paying rent.
References from people who know you personally show the landlord firsthand what type of renter you’ll be. Submitting these references with your rental application, makes you stand out, as most landlords normally follow up with references at the end of the approval process.
References also emphasize your financial stability and show you as a reliable, hardworking person who pays bills on time. To support these references further, carry along supporting documents like bank account information and pay stubs from your current job.
Your second chance apartment awaits
Many rental properties use a screening process that reviews rental history and credit reports, uncovering eviction records and making it harder to find a new place to live. Finding apartments with eviction forgiveness near me can be a challenge, but don’t give up if you don’t find one right away.
While there are many ways you can improve your situation, don’t spend money on high application fees before talking to the rental manager or private owner about your eviction and credit history.
If you cannot find any rental, consider moving into an extended stay, a weekly rate rental, or into a loved one’s home as a roommate. Alternatively, you can also contact landlords directly or actively search for properties with no credit checks.