Denied housing because of credit!

This has NOTHING to do with profiling and trying to put this question into the realm of discrimination won't work. Many people who are trying to rent today have credit problems from the economy - but no bank account on top of that puts in a high risk category for rental.

Rental agents and owners renting properties run a credit report and require a bank account before they rent property. This has been true for many years - nothing new.

In rural areas you may be able to rent from a property owner with a cash deposit - but it's becoming less common. Do you have references from your previous landlords? If so, look for owner rented properties (rather than those handled by rental agencies) and talk to the owner directly and honestly about your circumstances.

Be prepared to pay a hefty cash deposit IF you find someone willing to take a chance on you. However, if you have damaged credit, no bank account and no verifiable income source, renting is going to be a challenge.

Look for parks that offer weekly rentals - those are the ones likely to accept cash payments. They reduce their risk by charging more per month and the weekly rental payments offer some landlord protection. Another possibility may be to rent a room or upstairs/basement apartment in someone's home in order to begin establishing yourself in the area.

In a previous thread you complained of an insurance company raising your rates - this can also be a result of no bank account and/or credit problems although many people don't realize that.

This is a rock and hard place scenario and it is hard to get around it. Good luck.

kay

Steve - that wasn't the kind of "profiling" I was mentioning.

Of course you are and if you listen to the news these days you think "this isn't allowed" - but it is.

The profiling that isn't allowed is that based on race or other personal characteristics.

Credit profiling is alive and well. Have you checked to see if there is wrong info in your credit file? When you move to a different part of the country that area may use a different one of the three major reporting bureaus than the areas you previously lived. It's possible one bureau has incorrect info contained in your credit file. Worth checking.

Can you reopen an old bank account in your previous area? It's easier to open a bank account if you already have one. Just a thought. I read somewhere that it's easier to qualify to buy a travel trailor or mobile home than it is to rent in some areas. Odd.

You will have a better chance with a person who rents his property himself than with a rental agency. Dealing directly with a person gives you the chance to negotiate for a larger deposit or to explain why there is a problem.

I understand the frustration. When you are denied when applying for something it's a big deal to you. it's a big problem for many people who know they are good people but have been challenged financially by the economy.