GENERAL INFORMATION: If over 18 you MUST be on the Lease or else

I often have people ask me if their Boyfriend or Girlfriend or Parent 

can just "put me on the lease as an Occupant"...

The answer is maybe.  Some apartment complexes do allow an occupant status for income (Students or New Employment or No Employment) or rental history issues (Broken Leases or Evictions).

But usually, my clients are looking for a way to get past the criminal guideline restrictions.  An occupant status won't get you past a Deferred Adjudication for a Felony offense or a Felony conviction. By Texas law, everyone over the age of 18 must be on the lease.

The next question people ask me is "well, do I really need to be on the lease"? Or what can happen if I'm not on the lease? The answer is easy, the apartment complex can Evict the leaseholder and require them to pay for the apartment until such time as it is rented again PLUS ALL THE LEGAL AND COURT FEES.

In other words, this is a poor solution to the problem. I really feel that it isn't a solution.  Even if the complex "winks" at your presence (which most don't) it could cause a problem if the Courtesy Officer ever runs your plates, or the police are ever called to your apartment.

And if you ever get into an argument with your "significant other", you will have to leave the complex - you have no right to be there. 

Call me to get an apartment in your name. I work Monday - Saturday and I can be reached through my website:  www.AptFindFelons.com or at 832-303-3002.

Don't get evicted. Only one thing is worse than having a problem leasing with criminal issues on your background - that's having criminal issues and an eviction.

An eviction is the toughest problem to solve for most apartment locators.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Sneaking Around - A Rotten Way To Live

Do you have to be "on the lookout" for the Apartment Staff?

So many of my clients have rented under someone else's name in the past or have lived at their boyfriend's or girlfriend's apartment without being on the lease.

They tell me they do this to get around a broken lease, an eviction, or a criminal conviction.  In MOST cases, they really don't have to do this.  There is a place for them; they just don't know it.

Today, I found that I was dealing with a guy who had a deferred adjudication for a felony (robbery) and a girl who had an eviction.

I didn't know they wanted to live together - they weren't being completely honest with me.  The solution was 2 places in the area that they wanted to live and at a price range they could afford. 

Actually, in most cases, the eviction causes more problems than a Deferred Felony (or as Texas calls it - a Deferred Adjudication for a Felony). She will have to make payment arraignments before she can be accepted.

Just be honest with me. And let's stop the sneaking around. You don't have to do it - it can't be fun!

DALLAS: What's worse - a Felony or an Eviction

Both mean NO DON'T BOTHER US to about 90% of Apartment Complexes

It's like asking you - which is worse, a broken leg or a broken arm -- both hurt. Both will hurt your chances of renting in the future. I really think less places will accept you with an unpaid off Eviction than with a felony. If you pay off the Eviction and you have a good story (like a roommate skipped out on you or it was caused by medical problems) then many apartment complexes will work with you.

But if you owe an apartment complex money, then you really only have the 3rd tier of properties that will accept you UNLESS YOU HAVE SIGNIFICANT GOOD RENTAL HISTORY AFTER THE EVICTION AND A GOOD STORY TO TELL.

At least that's the story in the DFW Metroplex. If you do have an Eviction or a Felony (deferred adjudication or conviction) then you do you the help of a trained apartment locator, like myself. I offer this service Free to my clients, the apartment complexes pay for my services.

You can contact me at my e-mail or at 866-285-2100.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Don't Be Foolish - Rent Right

1. Don’t rent without driving by the complex on a Friday or Saturday night to check on the nighttime environment (including parking).
2. Use an apartment locator when you have Rental History, Credit problems, Criminal Convictions, or New employment – the service is FREE and a good locator can save you from losing deposits and application fees.
3. Don’t sign a long term lease when they believe they will need to change locations soon.
4. Don’t agree to take an apartment on the 2nd or 3rd floor when you need a ground floor unit. Your will regret it everyday.
5. Don’t try to “hide” an animal without paying the pet deposit or pet rent.
6. Don’t try to hide someone on the lease who is over 18 – TX law requires everyone to be on the lease who is 18 or over even “grown children”.
7. Don’t rent under someone else’s name to bypass the Rental criteria – this can not only get you “kicked out of the unit” but you may cause the person who rented the apartment FOR YOU to be hit with a Broken Lease or Eviction AND THEREBY OWE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO THE COMPLEX.
8. Don’t break a lease – better to give Notification that you are leaving and make payment arrangements to pay off your debt (and usually cheaper in the long run).
9. Know how to complain about an apartment – the right way will protect your rights and protect your “pocketbook”. Seek out the local apartment association or Attorney General of Texas’ website – see Tenant Rights.
10. Don’t file a fraudulent application for an apartment. The apartment can and will keep your deposit, application fees, administrative fees, and may evict you or charge you with a Broken Lease.

*Bonus Tip: Don't rent without checking with the local police department on the crime rate in the area the apartment is in. It takes a little work but this can save you BIG TIME.

HOUSTON: The Apartments RCR system and you.

Everyone wants to be approved for their new apartment. Especially when you spend money on an application fee and administration fee.

But often, the apartment's RCR system is the downfall of many Houston Renters. The RCR system knows...

• If you have had a Broken Lease, it knows
  
• If you have been evicted, it knows
  
• If you pay your rent late, it knows
  
• If your last complex had problems with you or you still owe money, it knows
  
• If you have a criminal history, it knows

More information about RCR is available here.

Here is an excerpt from the Houston Apartment Association's web site's RCR page:

• The new service provides expanded applicant screening products that enable you to select the best qualified residents and lower the risks of delinquencies and criminal liability.
  
• Resident History - Nationwide rental history and landlord-tenant records.
  
• Criminal Information - Broader criminal screening data.
  
• Help When You Need It - 40 support offices throughout the United States for superior customer service and training.
  
• Quick and Easy - Information is entered into an easy-to-use Web application and a decision is delivered instantly.
  
• Cost Effective - Automated decisions save your staff time.
  
• Move-in/Move-out Entry - Process changes in resident rental histories online through RCR's familiar and easy-to-use tools.
  
• Eviction Entry - Protect yourself and other properties by registering your evictions with RCR.
  
  

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*Like the "Gold Guys" image. I've used this free image with the approval of the artist. To view the free images or for information on purchasing Gold Guys images see http://thegoldguys.blogspot.com/

GENERAL INFORMATION: When is a Special NOT special?

WHEN IS A SPECIAL NOT VERY SPECIAL?

WHEN IT DOESN'T APPLY TO YOU!

In general, no Apartment complexes give Specials to people with Broken Leases, Evictions, Felons, or people with extremely bad credit. They don't have to offer specials to get these clients - they only have to be willing to accept the less than ideal renter (there are plenty of applicants).

This is another rule of thumb that applies 80% of the time. Below I have written in the exceptions I've seen:

Broken Leases: You have a better chance of getting a special if you are making payments on the broken lease. There are complexes that will accept you without a payment plan but you may find the deposit to be equal to 1/2 or 1 full month. They may offer you a "Look N Lease" to get you to sign the lease but it probably won't be the NO DEPOSIT, FIRST MONTH FREE, or $100 OFF PER MONTH special that is advertised.

Evictions: I've never seen a special offered. This is one most difficult clients to place - even harder than placing a felon.

Felons: I've never seen a special offered. As one of the Apartment Managers told me "their special is they get to live here". Ouch!

Misdemeanors: I've seen specials offered to people with one misdemeanor (example: DUI) but rarely to serial offenders or people with violent misdemeanors.

Foreclosures: I'm beginning to see specials offered to this group again. The feeling in the rental industry is that many good candidates have suffered with the economy and they want these former home owners in their complexes.

Bankruptcy: I had seen specials offered as of late. Perhaps it is because people recognize the problems in our economy and the situations that people often go through because of illness, job loss, divorce, or other family tragedy.

Contact John at AptFindHouston@Gmail.com today! There is no fee for my service; just put my name on the guest card and application. The apartment pays my fee.

To speak to me call:

Email: 24x7AptFind@Gmail.com

Web: 24x7AptFind.com

Office: 281-681-3434

Toll Free: 866-285-2100

Home Ofc: 281-292-8024

P.S. To find a Texas apartment or Townhome the easy way go to my personal web site 24x7AptFind.com and use our FIND ME A TX APT form or use the Web based Search facility at today!

P.P.S. If you have a criminal conviction, broken lease, credit problems, an eviction, foreclosure, or bankruptcy -- the form is the way to proceed.

Copyright © 2009. 24x7AptFind.com All Rights Reserved.