Rent and applications
What can I do if I do not qualify for an apartment and have no one to cosign?
Updated By the Housing Rocket moderators
Short answer
Look for ways to lower the landlord's risk or the rent itself. Options include a paid guarantor company, a larger deposit where allowed, showing savings, applying with a roommate whose income counts, renting a room in a shared place, or choosing a cheaper unit. Private landlords are more likely to work with you than big complexes.
Start by finding out exactly which requirement you are missing: income, credit, rental history or all three. The fix depends on the gap.
- Income short: aim for rent closer to a third of your income, add a roommate, or show savings.
- Credit weak or missing: offer a larger deposit where allowed, bring strong landlord references, or use a paid guarantor service if the landlord accepts one.
- No rental history: give references from an employer, or a letter from anyone you have lived with or rented from informally.
Paid guarantor companies charge a fee, often a share of a month's rent or a year's rent, and act as your guarantor. They have their own eligibility standards, and not every landlord accepts them, so confirm both before you pay.
Renting a room in a shared house is often the most realistic route. The rent is lower, the income bar drops with it, and the person renting the room may care more about who you are than your paperwork. After a year of on-time payments, you will have a reference and a stronger application.
Want the whole picture? Read Renting Your First Apartment: Applications, Leases and Move-in Costs.