What should I do if I have bad credit?
Credit checks are important to most landlords in the area, but you can offer other proofs of your ability to pay rent. Prepare a tenant resume including written references from current and past landlords regarding timely payment of rent, general cooperativeness, and care of the premises. Include a letter from your employer or copy of your tax return to verify your income. Nevertheless, be aware that many landlords are simply going to require credit checks. If there are circumstances that might make a landlord more sympathetic to your credit situation, be sure to share it and alert him before he runs the report, as you might not get a chance to explain later. And, of course, take steps to remedy your credit situation.