Can't rent because of a charge-off...what can I do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The late payments don't even show - the last 8 months on my report show "ok." But because the card shows the creditor closed it, it's negative.

I can't stop crying. I don't want to live alone for who knows how many years. My life is destroyed.

Ok, get a grip. This is just not true. Several of us have told you, that you cannot rent from a property management company which tends to be more rigid about rules. But just look in the listings for private rentals. In my area, there are a number at https://forrent.com Try that and put in your location. If not, you can find private rentals on Craig's List or other listing sites. Google "private apartment rentals <mytown> <mystate>" and you will find a number of rental web-sites that list private listings that are not in large complexes or run by management companies. You should be able to find a place to rent through one of these sites that will not have the same restrictions.

[Anonymous]

divorce over a charge off on a credit report? Something totally fishy here....

[Anonymous]

I can't speak to OP's story specifically, but I am in a similar situation and find it quite frustrating.

My identity was stolen about 2 years ago, and a credit card was opened, and maxed out in my name. It was charged off, and then I was sued over the debt ($2k). I settled and paid the amount, even though it's not mine. So now on my credit it shows as a charged-off debt that was then 'cancelled by grantor'. My credit is 660, not amazing but not stopping me from renting. I've been told by multiple apartment complexes that the automated credit screening denies me before they even look at income or credit number, it's the past bad debt that trips the screening. And they're not luxury apartments either, although i don't think it would matter what price or income since it never gets to that part of the process, and they don't make exceptions.

So I guess I have to sublease and scrum from cheap individual listings for the next decade? I feel bad for people out there, I have good income but still feel awfully close to being homeless just from the system we have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak to OP's story specifically, but I am in a similar situation and find it quite frustrating.

My identity was stolen about 2 years ago, and a credit card was opened, and maxed out in my name. It was charged off, and then I was sued over the debt ($2k). I settled and paid the amount, even though it's not mine. So now on my credit it shows as a charged-off debt that was then 'cancelled by grantor'. My credit is 660, not amazing but not stopping me from renting. I've been told by multiple apartment complexes that the automated credit screening denies me before they even look at income or credit number, it's the past bad debt that trips the screening. And they're not luxury apartments either, although i don't think it would matter what price or income since it never gets to that part of the process, and they don't make exceptions.

So I guess I have to sublease and scrum from cheap individual listings for the next decade? I feel bad for people out there, I have good income but still feel awfully close to being homeless just from the system we have.

You can thank tenant-friendly landlord tenant laws. Have you looked at the posts talking about what it takes to get a deadbeat tenant out in DC or LA? The landlord either has to wait years and never get back rent or pay the tenant to leave. I wouldn't be a landlord in those jurisdictions for that reason (so it limits the number of rental units available) *and* it makes the landlords that are out there very very picky about who they'll let in.

I suspect that OP is moving to a jurisdiction like this, which is why the landlords won't just rely on the DH's credit. If DH moves out and leaves OP, and the OP doesn't make the rent, the landlord in those jurisdictions can't throw her out, even if her name isn't on the lease. There's no reason for them to take that risk when there are plenty of renters available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The late payments don't even show - the last 8 months on my report show "ok." But because the card shows the creditor closed it, it's negative.

I can't stop crying. I don't want to live alone for who knows how many years. My life is destroyed.

Please ignore the unkind posters.

There is a landlord who will rent to you because you can explain the situation. Try looking at the Military by Owner site. You can search by state and city. There are lots of landlords there who understand what it’s like to face living apart and who likely also understand PPD etc.

And please take care of yourself. PPD can mean you have an increased risk of depression and these circumstances are overwhelming.

I hope you find a lovely home for your family soon.

[Anonymous]

I'm a landlord and had a family in a similar situation apply to rent a house. I asked for 6 months up front due to the credit issue.

You can offer something similar.

[Anonymous]

Even people with criminal records manage to rent a home.

One blemish can't ruin everything.

Apply to more places and stop catastrophizing.

[Anonymous]

I rented a luxury loft with a minimal security and a bankruptcy - this post is not believable

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That doesn't sound right. What place is denying a lease to a person with an 815 credit score?

Score doesn't matter because of the charge-off, we're told.

Why would someone rent to you where you are ha history if not paying your bills? I wouldn’t as a LL? Try to rent at crappier places that don’t care as much. Be prepared to pay a lot upfront.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That doesn't sound right. What place is denying a lease to a person with an 815 credit score?

Score doesn't matter because of the charge-off, we're told.

Why would someone rent to you where you are ha history if not paying your bills? I wouldn’t as a LL? Try to rent at crappier places that don’t care as much. Be prepared to pay a lot upfront.

Well large apartment buildings and individual landlords rent to people who don't pay their bills every single day. There are apartments that will rent to you if you have been evicted, if you have declared bankruptcy, and if you have a credit score in the 600 range.

In the OPs case, there are several small apartment management companies in the DMV. They almost always have garden style or smaller buildings with a few floors. These might be more willing to work with someone like OP. These are the kind of places that are not going to be up to date with granite countertops, or update bath fixtures and more likely fixtures from when the places were built in the 50s, 60, 70s. It's not ideal but it is a place to live.

[Anonymous]

You need to rent off the grid.

Rent from one person (not a large property management company.)

Rent older places.