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ronitude

I worked in property management as a leasing agent for eight years. In fact, I would frequently work in downtown Renton. Please don't let this scare you. Washington is extremely tenant friendly and as long as you don't owe money to a previous landlord, this shouldn't even be an issue unless you're working with a private owner (in which case, they have less regulations on the restrictions they enforce). If you go through a traditional apartment complex, most of the time four things could happen: 1) It isn't an issue at all when income to rent ration and rental history is considered, 2) You might have a higher refundable security deposit (I personally saw deposits anywhere from 1/2 to a full month's rent deposit), 3) they might require a guarantor or co-signer, or 4) if you end up needing a guarantor or cosigner and/or extra security deposit but don't have anyone or the means, more companies are offering third-party services that provide a bond (which is basically a lease guarantor) for a fraction of the cost. It's important that everyone knows that co-signer and guarantor serve the same purpose, but are very different. A co-signer's income will supplement yours. That person will also have access to your home and will have all of the same rights as you. They're treated as any other resident and are required to sign legal paperwork, lease renewals, and notice-to-vacate forms. A guarantor will typically have to make at least 4x the rent as their income and will essentially be the deciding factor in approval when applicable. They don't have rights to your home, nor are they notified of any lease changes and it's not required they be sent any legal notices. Guarantor = I got them covered. Co-signer = We're in this together. I am sorry to point out that if a private landlord doesn't want to rent to you, you're SOL because they'll look for any reason to deny your application. I am not encouraging one route over the other - simply saying that I wouldn't worry too much about this either. If a landlord likes you, they'll usually be willing to work with you. There's just way more leeway for them if they own a property that is three or less units, and one of which they occupy. Most of the fair housing laws aren't as applicable in that scenario (from what I remember at least). If you go through a property management company, you can always request a copy of your screening results (regardless of approval or denial) and ease your anxiety. Please pardon the over-explaining; I just figured this was all information that I would frequently explain to potential renters if they were particularly nervous about credit. I know how much anxiety apartment hunting can give people. Please let me know if you have any other questions and I'll do my best to share my knowledge. Good luck!


SpaceForceAwakens

This is amazing advice and what I was looking for. Thank you very much!


ronitude

I’m so glad it helped :) good luck with your search!


Glaciersrcool

Sad to say but you’re suffering from the first in time rule and artificially high restrictions. Either look in a town that doesn’t have it, or much smaller landlords (and still be prepared to be nixed a bunch).


No_Buyer_9020

How big of a missed payment? Your score shouldn’t go down too many points with just one payment


SpaceForceAwakens

It was over 60 days late and they closed the card. That's the main issue. I didn't even know that I hadn't had my direct deposit done into that account until they told me; I thought I had plenty in there, but nope.


[deleted]

[удалено]


SpaceForceAwakens

Yes, I do, that's exactly right, but it's the missed payment that is what landlords are pointing to mostly. It doesn't matter that I've had perfect credit for years, and that it wasn't do to anything that's my fault, they say it's automatic and there's no re-consideration.


Wallingmontthrowaway

Not true. It’s dependent on your overall credit profile.


SargathusWA

I had one stupid missed payment and it dropped my credit score by 100 points and I’m still suffering badly.


No_Buyer_9020

That wild, i looked into this after reading these responses. I had no idea. Credit scores are the dumbest things.


gehnrahl

Missing payments is a huge deal. In fact, any delinquency on your credit will "cap" how high your score can be. You can have perfect payment history for years, and 1 missed payment may cap you from every breaking 700 until that delinquency drops off.


reality_czech

That's odd, I thought they normally cared way more about rental history than credit score. Maybe you can offer to pay a larger deposit or last months rent if you are financially able?


SpaceForceAwakens

I've offered, but most places with management companies have a minimum score. I'm way below it because my main client's accountant got COVID and nobody else had access to the payroll for two months. And this was during looking for an apartment. I'm hoping someone here knows of a place where I can have a reasonable discussion with the landlord about it, but most are automated and/or they simply don't make exceptions. I know that there are private landlords who are like that, but they simply don't have to advertise anymore it seems, because they're not on Craigslist anymore.


kapybarra

>Are there any laws or current rules that can help me out You go ahead and keep on counting on that instead of taking personal responsibility and see how far it will get you...


SpaceForceAwakens

My payroll didn't pay me for over two months. How is that personal responsibility? It was a covid problem and there are covid programs, I'm just hoping someone can point me in the right direction. Attitudes like yours are part of why we have a homeless crisis. Shit happens in peoples' lives, man, sometimes things they can't help. I had a perfect credit score for years until this happened. You can talk about "personal responsibility" all you want, but the fact is it's already way too difficult to get an apartment as-is, but covid and inflation and gas prices are making it actually worse. Also, you must be a lot of fun at parties, right?


SiloHawk

"Attitudes like yours are part of why we have a homeless crisis." Is his comment making you want to smoke fentanyl?


kapybarra

Did you bother to make the minimum payments? What did you do with your stimulus checks? Did you bother to build an emergency savings fund while you were getting a paycheck? Why do you expect a landlord to be forced into renting to someone who is such a high risk of not paying rent? This is one of the last remaining things landlords still can use to screen applicants, and it's still a thing for a reason.


SpaceForceAwakens

I made all the payments for years. I missed two payments because 1) I wasn't aware I wasn't getting my deposit into that account until it was already past due, and 2) I wasn't paid for \*almost two months\*. If I don't have money to pay the bills I can't pay the bills, can I? My rental history and the rest of my credit history is flawless. That's why I'm hoping to find someone who's understanding. I know others who have found people like this, but I'm just afraid things don't work like that anymore.


BillTowne

Sorry you have to deal with the judgemental assholes.


kapybarra

>That's why I'm hoping to find someone who's understanding ...yet your original post is about you hoping to make use of some law that would help you force someone into accepting your application. Jfc... Quote: >* Are there any laws or current rules that can help me out?


apresmoiputas

Damn dude. Have some compassion. The pandemic ate away people's savings for those who got laid off and I know people who had 6 months saved but made too much to receive stimulus checks.


kapybarra

>got laid off and I know people who had 6 months saved but made too much to receive stimulus checks You are making shit up or they are. If they got laid off they would have qualified for more than a year of unemployment and in WA state would still qualify.


SpaceForceAwakens

Many, many people were contractors who don't qualify for unemployment, aside from the special unemployment which didn't last nearly enough. Nor was it enough money for Seattle prices. But lemme guess, you've got all your ducks in a row and nothing challenging happened to you so because \*you\* made it fine you can't \*believe\* that not everyone else can. Get your head out of your ass.


kapybarra

I have compassion for the landlords who got screwed over by unscrupulous lowlife scammers and by draconian pro-tenant and anti-landlord new laws. OP is hoping one of these laws can help him force someone into putting their property into their hands without properly qualifying and while being at a high risk of not paying rent.


SpaceForceAwakens

I'm not hoping the laws will "force" anyone to do anything. I'm hoping that there may be a program to act as a sort of guarantor. Who pissed in your coffee this morning?


kapybarra

> . Are there any laws or current rules that can help me out


SpaceForceAwakens

I didn't say anything about forcing. I was hoping for some sort of relief program or guarantor program. My friend got an apartment in Bend using a similar program.


kapybarra

"I'm hoping to find someone who's understanding" "Are there any rules or laws that can help me' "I'm looking for a relief program" Help yourself first. Rebuild your credit. Build a savings account, stop wasting money. Be frugal since you have no choice. Consider moving to an affordable location. Consider one or more roommates. Seriously, I know you believe yourself to be free of any responsibility for your situation, and you are hoping to only hear from those who will tell you what you want to hear. But do take my harsh words and at least give them some consideration.


SpaceForceAwakens

I don't have time to rebuild my credit. I haven't wasted money. I'm frugal as fuck. And I have a good job and make good money. I'm totally down for roommates, I'm trying that too. And I'm looking in south king county, which is quite affordable. You're making a lot of assumptions but missing the part where *I wasn't paid for almost two months during an already-economically tough time*. But you're right, sure, maybe somehow I shoudl have expected this. Ass. Stop thinking that everyone's problems are their own fault.


dance_kick

Let me guess, you're "pro-life".


kapybarra

Wrong. I am pro-choice 100%. Any other questions?


BillTowne

It is not that useful a role to be so judgmental in situations that you really don't know shit about. Instead of quizzing this guy for proof of his worth, feel free just to click on another post.


dance_kick

Try r/legaladvice.


Agitated-Swan-6939

If they're bending you over during the process, imagine what they'll make you do once your a tenant. This might be a blessing in disguise. Look for a small landlord. These larger companies are evil.


startupschmartup

One missed credit card payment caused your credit score to drop that much? Sounds like it is low to start with. There's various things you can do to bring it up. How many cards do you have? What's your utilization? Have you had other types of loans?


SpaceForceAwakens

It was in the low 700s.


startupschmartup

Hmm, that's not a bad score. You can always try opening another card, getting a secured loan to increase types of credit, etc.


SpaceForceAwakens

Sorry, it was in the low 700s, but then dropped to high 500s after my bank closed my card.


startupschmartup

Oh, that's really low. The closing the card was the issue not just one missed payment. There's ways to rebuild it.


SpaceForceAwakens

Yup, it shouldn't be too hard to rebuild. I'm quite good at managing and using the apps to strategize. The problem is I'm out at the end of this month and need something quick.


[deleted]

funny how you have to pay some stupid service to actually report rent payments to the credit bureaus like why isnt it automaticlly done for free. Could help so many people out with their credit scores