Renting after an eviction is not the easiest thing in the world. Though it is stressful, you can get through it with the right direction. It is important to embrace the situation and know that you are not alone. As a matter of fact, evictions are quite common, especially in the US.

Matthew Desmond, Professor in the Department of Sociology at Princeton University and author of the book Evicted, estimates that there are roughly one million evictions in a typical year in the US.

Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has put more US renters at risk than ever before. Due to the pandemic, making rent got harder, leading to stimulus plans to supplement income and legislation that prevents evictions.

Now with things getting better, laws preventing evictions are being struck down, causing an unprecedented rise in evictions.

Regardless of the reason behind the eviction, it’s important to know what steps to take to be able to qualify for your next apartment.

In this blog, we will discuss how to get an apartment with an eviction on your record.

But before we dive into that, let’s dive deeper into how COVID-19 has affected evictions.

Evictions During the Coronavirus Outbreak

COVID-19 hit the economy in ways that no one could have predicted. This is why many states and cities implemented eviction moratoriums for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium is a temporary rule that limits the amount of rent increases that landlords can give their tenants after a tenant has been evicted. The law is designed to help tenants who have been evicted from their homes.

It requires landlords to provide a COVID-19 Notice to a tenant before applying for a rent increase. The law also requires landlords to wait at least 30 days before applying for a rent increase after giving a COVID-19 Notice.

With the eviction moratoriums coming to an end post-pandemic, evictions are rising in the US at a greater pace than ever before. And hence, more people are faced with the situation of renting an apartment after an eviction.

Guide to Renting After an Eviction

Whether it’s eviction due to financial reasons, ending of the COVID moratorium, or breaking rules in your old home, here’s how to get an apartment again.

Step #1 – Talk to your previous landlord.

Renting after an eviction will be much easier if you make amends with your previous landlord. Whatever the reason for eviction was, there are ways to fix it. Before you start going through apartment listings, ask your landlord if they can remove the eviction from your rental history. They might agree to help you out if you find a proper way to settle the dispute.

Step #2 – Pay off debts.

From a landlord’s perspective, the biggest concern is getting paid at the end of the month. So, to ease your landlord’s mind, always have a clean credit report. This is especially important if you are renting after an eviction. Evictions and failing to pay debt can lower your credit score by hundreds of points. A good credit score is 670 and above. Start rebuilding your credit score by paying your bills on time and in full. You’ll also want to be conscious of your spending.

Related: How to Manage Personal Finances

Step #3: Prepare good references.

Because you’re renting after an eviction, you’ll need to take a few extra steps to prove to your next landlord that you’re going to be a reliable tenant. Solid references can help you get a job; they can also help you rent an apartment following an eviction. Previous landlords or past employers are good sources for referrals that can demonstrate you’re a responsible, trustworthy person.

Step #4: Seek a co-signer.

If someone you know has a good rental and credit history, you might be able to persuade them to co-sign your lease for a new apartment. Of course, the co-signer will have to cover the rent if you’re unable to do so. Be careful with this! If the co-signer isn’t able to make rental payments, you could wind up evicted again.

Step #5: Look for apartments with eviction forgiveness.

A great way for renting after an eviction is to narrow your search to those that are eviction-friendly. These apartments might have landlords that don’t run or require credit or eviction checks. These landlords are often local to the area and smaller in scale, with a couple of private units rather than a large apartment corporation.

Step #6: Be honest.

Finally, it is important for you to be honest and answer all questions. In some cases, a landlord may be willing to overlook an eviction on a potential renter’s history if the renter is honest about what happened. For example, if you were in a difficult situation, such as job loss or a divorce, the landlord may be more understanding as to why you weren’t able to pay your rent.

That’s our guide on renting after an eviction. The point is to stay calm and tackle the situation head-on. It is not impossible to get apartment approval with eviction. Just take the right steps and you will get there soon. In addition, it is important to be aware of your rights as a renter.

Related: 5 Of The Most Common Questions About Renters’ Rights

Find an Apartment with Roomi

At Roomi, we make it easy for you to find an apartment and a roommate in our verified community. With a presence across 25+ countries, we are your perfect partners when it comes to the stressful task of finding a place you can call home.

Whether or not you’re renting after an eviction, sign up on Roomi and we’ll help you get an apartment you will love.

---