Housing Advice for Renters
- Fill out the application neatly, clearly and completely.
- Dress like you would for a job interview.
- If you suspect discrimination, you may want to consult the following:
Federal: Housing & Urban Development (HUD): 1-800-765-9372; Local HUD
office: 612-370-3185; www.hud.gov/complaints/housediscrim.cfm
State: MN Department of Human Rights: 1-800-657-3704 or 651-296-5663; www.humanrights.state.mn.us/yourrights/PDF/06housing_ENG.pdf
- Be upfront about rental, credit and criminal history problems. Explain how any of these problems were resolved.
- Bring along a resume or documentation of your employment history.
- Bring documentation of your rental history, including the names and addresses of properties where you lived and the dates that you lived there.
- If you have set up an appointment, show up on time.
- Have a place to move into before you give notice at your current residence.
- If the denial is the result of a problem with rental or credit history, you can contact the screening company used by the property and obtain a free copy of the rental or credit history that is in question.
- Contact the property and ask for the name and contact information of the tenant screening agency the landlord used. They are required to tell you what screening agency was used.
- Remember that landlords run checks: credit, criminal, rental histories.
- Only pay the application fee if there's a good chance you'll get the place.
- Many landlords take calls at home - call between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- Get a receipt for any money given to an owner or manager.
- A landlord may ask for a "pre-lease deposit" to hold the apartment for you. Do not pay a "pre-lease deposit" without an agreement in writing. This is different than a security deposit.
- Look at the actual apartment you will be renting before signing a lease.
- Read the lease in full. Make sure responsibilities are listed in the lease and you understand everything that is in the lease.
- After you sign your lease, make sure to get a copy of the lease.
|
