Landlords need your advice
Apr 1st, 2008, 03:46 PM
#1
Landlords need your advice
Another question from DD moving to the US in May from NZ. They are looking at rental properties available in Ohio on the internet, and everyone requires a good credit rating from the prospective tenant, which is understandable.
Her question is what would be acceptable to prove their good credit rating they had in NZ, would a letter from their landlord here be okay. Any other suggestions. They have credit cards, and had hire purchase with never any problems.
Her question is what would be acceptable to prove their good credit rating they had in NZ, would a letter from their landlord here be okay. Any other suggestions. They have credit cards, and had hire purchase with never any problems.
Apr 1st, 2008, 04:58 PM
#2
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I'm out of the biz now, but I was a landlady for 13 years so here's what I looked for:
Rental History--We always called for referneces so have a phone # or email address ready in case it's required. In this case a letter would be helpful, but the property owner might still want to speak with the landlord personally.
Employment and income: We required pay stubs to prove income. Bank statements are helpful too.
Credit History--This is a tuffy because I don't know if a person's credit rating translates across borders. For DH and me, credit was the lowest on the totem pole because we were more concerned with income and rental history.
If possible, get a credit report from a reporting agency in NZ so they can present that to the landlord.
Rental History--We always called for referneces so have a phone # or email address ready in case it's required. In this case a letter would be helpful, but the property owner might still want to speak with the landlord personally.
Employment and income: We required pay stubs to prove income. Bank statements are helpful too.
Credit History--This is a tuffy because I don't know if a person's credit rating translates across borders. For DH and me, credit was the lowest on the totem pole because we were more concerned with income and rental history.
If possible, get a credit report from a reporting agency in NZ so they can present that to the landlord.
Apr 1st, 2008, 05:09 PM
#3
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I work in the business - for international clients we look at new employment ( hiring letter if applicable), past landlord references, possibly a bank statment, and if need be, we take a security deposit of one month in addition to first and last month.
Apr 2nd, 2008, 04:43 AM
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Self-employed musicians?
Do they have a visa that allows them to work in the US?
I think they will find it difficult to impossible to find decent living quarters without an employment contract and a work visa UNLESS they can pay three months rent in full -- first, last, and a security deposit -- in advance. Even then, it would be difficult to rent in an apartment building without liquid assets in a US bank account.
They may find less difficulty if they are classical musicians than if they are rock or folk musicians, since NO landlord is particularly thrilled by having amplified music on the premises.
If they want to be based in a university town, they could no doubt find a share in a house or an apartment or a series of sublets, but finding a DESIREABLE rental without employment will be difficult.
.
Do they have a visa that allows them to work in the US?
I think they will find it difficult to impossible to find decent living quarters without an employment contract and a work visa UNLESS they can pay three months rent in full -- first, last, and a security deposit -- in advance. Even then, it would be difficult to rent in an apartment building without liquid assets in a US bank account.
They may find less difficulty if they are classical musicians than if they are rock or folk musicians, since NO landlord is particularly thrilled by having amplified music on the premises.
If they want to be based in a university town, they could no doubt find a share in a house or an apartment or a series of sublets, but finding a DESIREABLE rental without employment will be difficult.
.
Apr 2nd, 2008, 10:55 AM
#7
Yes they are in the process of getting visa's, working through a company who specialises in visa's for musicians, designers, artists etc. There is a specific type of visa you can apply for. They are paying a large amount of money for this company's expertise so hopefully it will be approved okay.
They are jazz musicians and don't actually play loud amplified music, if you're interested go to www.thevipers.co.nz.
They have enough money to pay first and last month's rent and a security deposit.
They have been full-time musicians in NZ for the last 7 years, which has been supplemented by Josh teaching guitar at conservatorium of music in Wellington. These guys are dedicated musicians, practise 5-6 hours a day and are serious about making a career from music. Very difficult I know but they want to give it a good shot.
They are wanting to rent in Columbus Ohio initially.
They are jazz musicians and don't actually play loud amplified music, if you're interested go to www.thevipers.co.nz.
They have enough money to pay first and last month's rent and a security deposit.
They have been full-time musicians in NZ for the last 7 years, which has been supplemented by Josh teaching guitar at conservatorium of music in Wellington. These guys are dedicated musicians, practise 5-6 hours a day and are serious about making a career from music. Very difficult I know but they want to give it a good shot.
They are wanting to rent in Columbus Ohio initially.
Apr 2nd, 2008, 11:13 AM
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With this additional information, I think they are quite likely to find a good rental in Columbus, since the university is a vast presence, and there are neighborhoods near it that specialize in rentals to students, junior faculty, etc. They might find it more difficult to rent in one of the suburbs, but then the suburbs wouldn't be a very interesting area for jazz musicians anyway!
The neighborhood that is both near the university and artsy is Short North, and I think they would like it a lot. There are also reasonably priced houses in the area east of there, neighborhoods built between roughly 1910 and 1970.
The neighborhood that is both near the university and artsy is Short North, and I think they would like it a lot. There are also reasonably priced houses in the area east of there, neighborhoods built between roughly 1910 and 1970.
Apr 2nd, 2008, 01:41 PM
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Hello nelsonian, I am in California so I am not familar with what Ohio landlords require. But having had rentals for decades if I had a prospective tenant from another county a bank statement would give me an idea as to their financial stability. As far as contacting "former landlords" in another country I really would not know if that person was a "former landlord" or just a friend giving the prospective tenant a good recommendation. But a letter from a former landlord would not hurt anything. And if the prospective tenant was able to show a credit report from their home country that of course would be another plus.
In California the law states a landlord can collect the equivielent of two months rent for a security/cleaning deposit for an unfurnished rental and three months for a furnished rental. I have no idea what the law is in Ohio regarding security/cleaning deposits.
Personally if the prospective tenant, one from another country, seemed to be finanically stable I would collect the maximum security/cleaning deposit.
I do not know how many "immigrants" Ohio landlords are use to in Ohio. Here in California we get so many it is not unusual.
I sure wish your daughter and her husband the very best. And hopefully you will be able to come here after they are settled..I sure hope so!
In California the law states a landlord can collect the equivielent of two months rent for a security/cleaning deposit for an unfurnished rental and three months for a furnished rental. I have no idea what the law is in Ohio regarding security/cleaning deposits.
Personally if the prospective tenant, one from another country, seemed to be finanically stable I would collect the maximum security/cleaning deposit.
I do not know how many "immigrants" Ohio landlords are use to in Ohio. Here in California we get so many it is not unusual.
I sure wish your daughter and her husband the very best. And hopefully you will be able to come here after they are settled..I sure hope so!
Jun 21st, 2008, 05:20 PM
#11
An update. DD and SIL have found a 3 bedroom rental property in E Hudson St Clintonville. Got it for $ 1050.00 per month. It was the first place they really looked at could possibly have done better but too late now.
They had to show a letter from their previous landlord, a copy of their credit rating and paid the first and last months rent as a deposit. They say the area is close to the music action.
They have some gigs booked at the Vonn Jazz Lounge and are playing at the Comfest on Saturday. They are loving it so far.
They had to show a letter from their previous landlord, a copy of their credit rating and paid the first and last months rent as a deposit. They say the area is close to the music action.
They have some gigs booked at the Vonn Jazz Lounge and are playing at the Comfest on Saturday. They are loving it so far.
Jun 21st, 2008, 09:15 PM
#13
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Hi nelsonian, it is good to hear they are settled in and are living in an area where they are able to get some gigs and that they are happy and well. I hope they will be able to travel and see some of the US and that you will be able to visit them at some point.
Jun 22nd, 2008, 04:48 AM
#14
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Coming from outside the country and no ability to check references will be difficult.
We had someone from the UK try to buy an apartment in out co-op and this is what we asked for:
The last 3 year's income tax filing forms
Bank statements for both checking and savings accounts
A complete list of other assets - stocks, bonds, mutual funds etc
Proof of employment (if not started yet a letter from the employer showing the salary and job start date)
Written references from financial institutions and previous landlords - including complete payment history
(He didn;t qualify since he could show a letter with current income but not sufficient other assets to pay a year's expenses - in case he lost his job. But a rental landlord won;t ask for that much.)
Now, a rental property is different - but they WILL have to prove the ability to pay. If they don;t have jobs yet the landlord will probably ask for additional rent in advance - as well as the usual first and last month;s rent and security deposit.
We had someone from the UK try to buy an apartment in out co-op and this is what we asked for:
The last 3 year's income tax filing forms
Bank statements for both checking and savings accounts
A complete list of other assets - stocks, bonds, mutual funds etc
Proof of employment (if not started yet a letter from the employer showing the salary and job start date)
Written references from financial institutions and previous landlords - including complete payment history
(He didn;t qualify since he could show a letter with current income but not sufficient other assets to pay a year's expenses - in case he lost his job. But a rental landlord won;t ask for that much.)
Now, a rental property is different - but they WILL have to prove the ability to pay. If they don;t have jobs yet the landlord will probably ask for additional rent in advance - as well as the usual first and last month;s rent and security deposit.
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