How do you qualify to rent a place with bad credit?

Answer 1

You can try to get a co-signer.

BUT, most people with good credit will have that good credit because they don't co-sign loans or leases for others. Especially not others with bad credit.

One way to do it without asking a friend or family member to risk their credit, is to save up money for 3-6 months of rent. Talk to the landlord. If you can pay that much ahead, some will skip the credit check. Once you get to the end of your pre-paid rent period, be sure to PAY ON TIME AND IN FULL each month. After at least a year with that landlord, you will have a good rental reference as long as you give adequate notice before moving, leave the place clean, and do not leave behind unpaid utilities bills or other problems for the landlord and/or next tenant to deal with.

Also, if you can show that you are working toward improving your credit, that may help. Show the landlord your written out budget and demonstrate that you can pay.

Don't rent a place that costs more than 1/3 of your TAKEHOME pay. This is less than most people will say you can spend, but if you have bad credit, you have more debt than most so you have to rent a cheaper place.