How to Get an Apartment After an Eviction

Eviction Notice

Maybe you lost your job and couldn't pay the rent, maybe your roommate broke the rules, or maybe you and the Landlord just weren't getting along, whatever the reason, you are being Evicted. You have to find another apartment as soon as possible, but how can you with an Eviction. Read on to learn how to increase the possibilities that you can find another apartment after an Eviction.

Instructions

1. 

   You should try to prevent the eviction if at all possible. It is expensive for a Landlord to Evict someone. Whether it is borrowing the money to pay the rent, kicking your roommate out or talking things through with the Landlord, prevention is the best way to go. Now is not the time to tell everyone how horrible your Landlord is.

2. If it is too late and your only alternative is to move then start looking for another place, immediately. You don't have to tell a new Landlord that you were evicted. If you move fast you can secure a place before the Eviction notice shows up on your credit report.

3. 

   Your potential Landlord may call the old Landlord. You have a 50-50 chance that this will cause a problem. The old landlord is bound by law and cannot say derogatory statements about you, but they can answer questions, the new Landlord may ask, such as "Would you Rent from this Tenant again." As you can imagine a no answer would not get you the new apartment.

4. Ask a friend or co worker if there is an apartment for rent in their complex. Sometimes a recommendation from a tenant will keep the Landlord from asking for a background check. Background checks cost money and if the Landlord can save the money with a recommendation, they may not do a credit check. Keep in mind if you are talking with a manager, instead of the Landlord, the manager is responsible for following apartment procedures before renting an apartment and will have to run a credit check no matter who your friends are.

5. More expensive apartments in higher priced neighborhoods will do a thorough background check before they let a new tenant in, because of this, you may have to concentrate your efforts in other neighborhoods, where background checks are not as important, as they just want to keep their complex filled.

6. Ask everyone if they know where there is an apartment for rent that has a nice Landlord. Be very polite when you meet the Landlord and tell them how responsible of a person you are and stick to that promise. If you are moving in out of desperation and will be a noisy, trouble-making tenant, that can't make their rent, the Landlord will see right through you and will not rent the apartment to you.

7. You can also try a co-signer. Sometimes Landlords will rent an apartment to you with past credit problems or an Eviction, if you have your someone that will co sign for you. You will need to bring this person with you as you go apartment hunting and if the Landlord says they do background checks, be honest and tell them your credit is bad and would they consider renting to you with a co-signer.

8. 

   Instead of renting the apartment yourself, find someone who is looking for a roommate. You may not like the situation and would rather live by yourself, but it may be your only answer to a tough predicament. Just move all your stuff into a storage unit and find a roommate. It will also allow you some time, to save up some money for another apartment.

9. If you have tried all these above steps and you are still without an apartment, go back to the Landlord and tell them that you have been trying for 2 weeks to get an apartment, but whenever they call and do a background check, because of the Eviction Notice, they won't rent to you. You know that what is actually happening is the Landlord is telling them to not rent to you, but it will not work in your favor if you confront the Landlord about that. Tell the Landlord that you will keep trying and will move as soon as someone rents you an apartment. You might even ask if they know of someone that will rent to you. This should be enough to prompt the Landlord to see that helping you get another apartment, will benefit both of you.

Tips & Warnings

• If you attempt to find someone to rent an apartment for you, and you just move in, be advised that this may backfire on you. If the Landlord knows ahead of time, s/he would require that both of you go through a background check and sign the lease. If you sneak in, it will only be a matter of time, before you are found out and be evicted. Usually your next door neighbor will be the first one to tell the Landlord.