I am looking to rent a house in the 77044 area of Houston

Hi Michelle!

The best piece of advise I can provie is to please work with a realtor to get a complete application filled out, including detailed explanations (ahead of time) for a less than desirable credit score --- this would be everything you just listed in this question! :) If your realtor knows your situation, he/she can explain this to the landlord's agent.

While most landlords factor in the whole picture, which is the reason you should be up front about everything, most landlords will require a third party credit and background check . When the credit score comes back it will detail the reasons for the credit score. If there is nothing related to previous rentals or late bill payments, your previous landlords give a good recommendation on renting to you and you make 3X+ the rent a month in income, then the drop in credit score due to past medical bills and lack of overall credit is not going to be an automatic decline of application. If the application is accepted, the landlord may ask for an extra deposit to offset the "risk" of accepting a credit score lower than what they have as their acceptance criteria (and that's normal). Again, just be completely transparent about any hardships you have come across. It is better to explain this ahead of time, before the landlord has to ask questions about it. I have helped several families who had experienced hard times secure leases b/c everything was laid out on the table!

Happy to help!

Darby Grimmett / KW / darby@darbygrimmett.com / 936-827-9217

Hi Michelle,

Happy New Year! Great scenario to present for a bunch of experts!! I can tell you that in all likelihood it may be a challenge to find both a home you like and a landlord who will make this easy, but it most definitely can be done with the circumstances you've presented! I would venture to say that MOST landlords look at the big picture if/when they are checking a tenant's history. In many instances a clean and clear rental history is what is most important to a landlord. It makes them feel that they're investment is protected and that they will likely see their money every month (which is usually most important to them)! It would definitely do you justice to have a REALTOR on your side in this situation to prepare everything properly so that you don't waste you're time on multiple applications and money on multiple application fees! I have successfully assisted many of my clients into rental homes when they had less than desirable situations and I believe I have become very good at understanding how to assist in this sort of situation!

Your use of a REALTOR comes at no cost to you, since traditionally in our Great State of Texas, REALTORS are paid by sellers/property owners! I'd love to assist you in this process, if you are in search of a reliable professional! You may feel free to reach out to me directly today! Feel free to see what my clients have to say about me and my service by following the link below!

Cody Mier
Intero Real Estate Services
(832) 373-9755
cody@interohouston.com

Hi Michelle,
Yes many landlords I work with (and I am a landlord my self) would look at the whole picture and might want to meet you to discuss your situation.
The best thing you can do is work with a realtor who would be able to support your application and negociate for you. Keep in mind that you will not pay your realtor. The landlord is responsible for paying your realtor's fee after the contract is signed.
Let me know if you would like me or one of my team members to represent you. Francois 713-397-8857

Hi Michelle,there is a chance they will ask for extra deposit, but that's normal. Ninety-nine percent of Landlords will require background and credit. When they run a background and credit check on a potential tenant, they look for people who have a certain credit rating roughly equal to a 600 FICO score. They also look at social media, county records and bank statements, among other things, to check for consistency. To landlords, the histories of accounts generally aren’t as important as their current statuses. If you don’t have credit, find a family member or friend with good credit who’s willing to co-sign a lease for you. By co-signing, he or she is promising to pay the rent if you don’t. That’s a much less risky deal for the property manager or landlord. After a certain number of on-time payments, your landlord or property manager may agree to take your co-signer off the lease. I sold in 77044, and I can guide you through the process. Feel free to contact me. I'll be glad to help.
Regards,
Annie Barker
RE/MAX Associates Northeast
281-796-3960,281-348-3079
www.har.com/ANNIEBARKER

Hi Michelle,
Hope you had a good Holiday!
Yes there are landlords that will overlook credit with your great rental history. Don't get bummed out over some that won't because every home(owner) is a different situation, stay positive because yes there is a owner that will love having you as a tenant with your excellent rental history. If your still needing assistance with finding a rental contact me at your earliest convenience.
Stacy Burgin

Hello Michelle!

I know several landlords who would love a tenant like you! My approach is to complete a full rental application packet and submit it to the house that you want. I also include a note about you and your circumstances. It always works! I would love to help you. Just give me a call, text or email! I look forward to working with you!

Ancernetta Williams
www.myhoustondigs.com
Ansaobidi@yahoo.com
832-628-0452

Hi Michelle, there are many rentals with individual owners/landlords who may be willing to look at the whole picture. However, they may require a larger security deposit and/or higher monthly rent to offset their "risk" of renting to someone with a low credit score. Rentals that are managed by property management companies are less likely to give approval to your application. Working with a REALTOR® who represents you is your best bet to finding a new home. Are you looking in the Summerwood area or farther south within the 77044 zip code? I would be happy to assist you. Give me a call or send me an email at Cloud Realty if you would like to discuss your options.
All the best,
Andrea Cloud-Wagner
Cloud Realty
281-359-9999
andreacloud@cloudrealtytx.com