The importance of having an excellent credit cannot be denied. Creditors are not the only ones who use them for approving applications. Employers and even landlords use credit reports in checking an individual's background. If you have plans of renting an apartment but with bad credit, what are the steps you can take to ensure that you're prospective landlord will approve you? In this article, we'll be providing some advice on how you can rent an apartment you've chosen despite bad credit. 1.Take a look at your credit report. The first important step for you to take is to personally check your credit report. What factors may have contributed to your low credit score? Is it really your poor payment habits or are there certain errors or false information in your report that pulled down your score? Many consumers are surprised to find that their credit reports are not as accurate as they thought they were. If you found any error contained in your report, send a letter of dispute to the credit reporting agency right away and request that these errors be immediately corrected. 2.Include a letter of explanation. What if the derogatory marks in your report are really accurate? For instance, what if you've really been through a foreclosure or bankruptcy? These details would be included in your report and a landlord may instantly have the impression that you are not worthy as a tenant. In this case, writing a note to explain the circumstances that may have led to the foreclosure of your property or bankruptcy will be a great help. If landlords can understand that the derogatory marks were a result of situations beyond your control, they will most likely be more considerate and allow you to rent their place. 3.Offer to submit a larger deposit. To make up for the risk of not having an excellent credit report, you may volunteer to submit a larger deposit than what the landlord normally requires from tenants. 4.Get the help of a co-signer. Having a co-signer with a high credit score is another option to get a landlord's approval. If you know a friend or a relative with excellent credit who is willing to vouch for you, then you can ask for help. Most landlords will accept tenants with bad credit if they have a co-signer who will guarantee for them. 5.Present valid references. You can also provide references or a list of people with good reputation in the community who will vouch for your credibility. Request your landlord to contact these people to do an accurate background check on you. 6.Be sincere and don't make up stories. Don't try to hide or cover up the real reason for your bad credit. Instead, be honest and let your landlord understand that you are doing your best to improve your credit history. If the landlord can see your sincerity and your willingness to improve your situation, he or she will more likely extend consideration. 7.Get a letter of recommendation from your previous landlord. If you're moving from one place to another, it is a good idea to ask your previous landlord to write a recommendation for you. This letter should contain how you've been a reliable tenant during your stay in their property.

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* Copyright 2009 New Horizon Business Services, Inc http://www.newhorizon.org, Inc has been providing consumers and business owners with financing since 1989. Join our mailing list for Free Tips on Rebuilding and Repairing Credit at http://www.newhorizon.org/Info/creditbk.htm. For list of bad credit cards, follow the link http://www.newhorizon.org/Info/unsecured.htm. Melanie Mathis is a co-author or Liz Roberts at http://newhorizon.org.