From LaToya Irby,
Your Guide to Credit / Debt Management.
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Landlords and apartment complexes are among the many businesses that use your credit to decide whether or not let you borrow money or services. Bad credit can cause you to end up homeless, if you're looking in the wrong places.

Different landlords have different credit requirements. Some might deny your rental application if you have blotchy credit, even if you have a spotless rental history and a sizable salary.

If you’re worried that a bad credit history will keep you from finding a place to live, there are other options you can exercise.

Avoid A Credit Check

The key to getting an apartment when you have bad credit is finding a landlord that doesn’t do credit checks.

Start by looking on Craigslist, an online classified listing. In the housing section of Craiglist, apartment owners advertise rentals (apartments, condos, townhouses, and houses) they have available.

The classified section of your local newspaper (or that of the area you’re interested in moving to) is another place where property owners advertise for rentals. Sunday's paper usually has the most advertisements.

Many homeowners use real estate agents to rent their homes. Checking with real estate agents in your area might help you find an apartment, townhouse, condo, or house to rent.

As you inquire about an apartment, ask the landlord what criteria is used to approve tenants for the rental. If credit check isn't one of them, then you have one less thing to worry about. However, if there is a credit check involved, you have some additional options for getting approved.

Get Recommended

Getting someone to vouch for your financial responsibility can help dampen the effect of negative entries on your credit report. Contact people with whom you've have a financial relationship – previous landlords, your bank, current/previous employers.

If you have past due accounts on your credit report, pay them off and get the creditor or lender to write a letter stating the account has been paid in full.

Write your own letter explaining the situation that caused your financial problems to persuade the landlord to rent to you.

Be careful about the situations in which you use letters of recommendation. If a landlord isn't aware of your credit history he may become unnecessarily suspicious when you hand him a letter explaining your past financial problems.

Have A Co-Signer

Getting someone to co-sign your lease is another option. Your co-signer will need to meet the necessary credit qualifications.

Keep in mind that if you skip out on your rent or get evicted for any reason, the landlord can legally go after the co-signer for the value of the lease. Use other people's credit sparingly and be more careful with it than your own.

It Can Cost More

Whether you're able to get around the credit check altogether or you get approved for an apartment despite your credit history, expect to pay more money upfront. You'll might be required to pay a higher security deposit or several months of rent to move into your new apartment.

If you don’t have the best credit and will be moving in the near future, start setting some money aside and begin looking for a new place as early as possible. The sooner you start looking, the more time you'll have to prepare.

Better Credit For The Future

A bad credit history doesn't mean you won't pay your rent on time. Unfortunately, your credit report and score might tell a different story. Even though you can work around some credit checks, you often end up paying more than you would have otherwise. That's why it's important to take steps to ensure your credit report matches your bill-paying habits.