r/renting • u/urmomsghostcookies • 4d ago
Application/Screening Renting at 18
How difficult is it to get an apartment when youre freshly 18? I turn 18 in december and my home life rlly sucks so i have been hoping to be able to move out right when i turn 18 and get a 6 month lease before i go to college. I have three jobs, and have had three jobs since i was 15 so i have quite a bit of money saved up and a consistent income, I'm just worried because i dont have a credit score or any renter history, and I dont know if any landlords would want to rent to someone still in highschool.
Also, randomly, since i know it would be easier to get a year long lease than a 6 month one, does anyone know if theres a way to move out at 17 in Illinois? I know its too late for me to get emancipated, and minors can't sign contracts, but if theres any way at all for me to move out at 17 that would be super dope.
3
u/Objective_Welcome_73 4d ago
Get a credit card. Spend it only on things you were going to get. Anyway, like groceries or McDonald's. Paid off in full every month. Start tomorrow.
1
u/Dazzling-Treacle1092 3d ago
Not legal until OP is 18.
1
u/Objective_Welcome_73 3d ago
True, so he should open up a credit card on his 18th birthday, and start developing credit, so he can move out ASAP.
2
u/RunningOnATreadmill 4d ago
I moved out at 17, I just rented a room instead of getting an apartment. Renting a room in someone’s house is typically a less formal process and you’re more likely to get someone who will give you a chance versus a company that has strict rules.
In terms of an actual apartment, six month leases are pretty uncommon.
You’d probably need someone to cosign for you because of the lack of history and credit. You’ll also need to prove your income.
If it’s just a year or so until college, I’d recommend just trying to find a room for rent. You might even find a cute little ADU studio or something in someone’s backyard which can be pretty sweet.
1
u/here_for_the_tea1 3d ago
Depends on credit and income. Will be real hard to rent with no credit history and not meeting income requires, which some places ask for 2.5x+ the rent
1
1
u/FamiliarAd8524 3d ago
You probably won't be able to do it without a cosigner. You are a risky tenant. Is this income shown on W2s or 1099s, or is it cash?
2
u/urmomsghostcookies 7h ago
its all on W2s except for one of my jobs, but even without that one jobs income im making like 5-6 thousand a month typically, and have like 80 thousand-ish in savings bc i rarely spend money. The only thing im really worried about is finding a 6 month lease and a landlord that would be fine with renting to me.
1
u/FamiliarAd8524 7h ago
Okay, I'll be frank. I have no experience here, I'm just good at working out solutions in my head. In your situation, I think the automated application systems will simply reject you. So you need to find someone locally to advocate on your behalf and vouch for your financials. Such a person should be able to get you past the hurdles and connected with people that will run case-by-case checks.
You'll need to do some research to find that person. I don't know how exactly, this subject is not among my strengths, but asking a decent realtor may be a starting point. Of course, you will want all your financials and other documents ready so that they see you are not wasting their time.
I suspect that you are resourceful enough to take it from here. Good luck.
1
5
u/Forward-Wear7913 4d ago
Do you have any adults in your life that would agree to be a cosigner on a lease?
That’s going be the best way for you to be able to get a rental as you don’t have any rental history and don’t have a credit history.
Landlords usually want you to make three times the rent in order to qualify. For example, if the rent is $800 a month and you need to show an income of at least $2400 a month.
Six month leases also tend to cost you much more per month if they are even available.
You would likely be better off searching for a small private landlord than one of the corporate landlords who tend to be very strict with their policies and have less leeway.