One of the things I hate about moving is rental applications. I’ve got a bad credit rating, and have a plan to fix it within the next year, but meanwhile I need a place to live. Many rental agencies require an application fee, and I’m reluctant to pay someone money to reject me.
It seems like there’s a spectrum of landlords, from slumlords who will rent to anyone but not fix anything to big agencies who carefully screen new tenants. I’m worried about applying with highly-selective places only to get rejected and just waste $20 or even $45. I’m also worried about getting accepted by a landlord who later turns out to not believe in ideas like that a refrigerator should keep food cold and carpets should not have perpetually soggy spots with mushrooms growing on them.
So, any tips on apartment hunting, or finding out what a landlord is like before signing a lease?
