Question

In Texas Can i sign a lease for a apartment if I only have unemployment?

I am planning to relocate to either Fort worth or Austin Texas for health reasons and to find employment. I only have my unemployment and a small amount of child support as income. Is it possible to get a apartment using just that. No co-signer Also i filed bankruptcy last year. I live in Michigan now and i have a month to month lease. Also i am looking to move to a walkable neighborhood with public transportation close by. * I have found a few areas that have that. Thank you for your answers Trench and Help Is Here I already through away my old furnature and donated lots of stuff. I am concerned about just taking our clothes and just my 2 daughter beds the computer and printer. some Kitchen stuff. I haven't found a real cheap motel that is affordable and safe and close to transportation. I have been looking for roaming houses, but no luck.

6 months ago - 5 answers

Best Answer

Chosen by Asker

It is going to be tough, because unemployment is not forever and is not a job. Most landlords want to see a steady income that is coming from a job. The child support helps, but it probably isn't enough to sustain you alone. The bankruptcy will also make it difficult to get a place. You may have to put your furniture in storage, and live in a hotel or motel that has a kitchenette, until you have a job. Most large corporate owned apartments will not even work with you considering your circumstance. Might work if you can take over someones lease, or find a landlord who has only one small complex and will be sympathetic to your plight.

by Help Is Here!

6 months ago

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Other Answers

Most places in the area don't rent to people with bad credit- or will if you give them a massive deposit. I would call around to different complexes- and be frank with them. Fort worth and dallas have decent mass transit. Nothing like up north though. But- it'll do in a synch. Everything down here is spread out. You'll see. In between the two is Arlington, tx. The largest city in america to have no public transportation.

by Trench- 6 months ago

Most apartments in Texas will have a set criteria for income. The income usually needs to be 3 - 4 times the amount of the rent. For example, if your rent is $600 a month, then you need to prove that you have $2400 in income. The only way around the income level is either to have a co-signer, or to have enough money in a checking or savings account to pay for your lease term. For example if you are signing a 6 month lease then you would need to have $600 X 6 months = $3600 needed in the account. You do not need to pay the $3600 upfront. You just need to provide documentation that the money is in the account so that the property manager can prove that she/he had you qualify for the apartment under the same guidelines as everyone else. If I were you, I would look for a place with someone who is a local landlord. Many times they are willing to work with you. Regional and national companies are under strict guidelines and are not able to be very flexible. Best of luck to you!

by cbee- 6 months ago

A lot of places won't rent to you because of your bad credit. However, if you are upfront and straight up with the landlord they might give you a break. Especially if the landlord is a local one. I have the most horrible credit imaginable. My landlord does not do credit checks and I was very straight forward with him. So it helped in my favor.

by Victoria's Secret Revealed- 6 months ago

The bankruptcy will cause you more trouble then the unemployment. Very few places will rent to you with that. It really depends on how much the 2 add up to. Most places will require 3 times the rent to qualify. Most don't really care were the money comes from as long as they can verify it.

by Wildcat- 6 months ago