Tips to rent an apartment in Utah without credit or rental history

Rental newbies: Find apartments for rent with no credit check or landlords that are OK with newer tenants.

One of the most exciting times in life is becoming an adult and finding your own place to live. You likely won’t have a credit or rental history yet, but that’s OK. There are ways to find rentals with more lenient credit rules and landlords who work with those just entering the rental world. KSL Homes offers some practical tips to make your housing search as a newcomer a little smoother. 

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Understand rental requirements

You aren’t going to magically know what landlords expect just because you’re ready to find your own place. Here are some pointers:

• Landlords typically pull a credit check, ask for rental history and proof of income.
• Each landlord and property management company has different requirements. 
• Don’t expect the same thing at each place you apply, and don’t be surprised if one place rejects applications while another accepts them.

Larger property management companies probably have different credit rules than private landlords.

Alternative documentation for apartments for rent in Utah

Some landlords may be OK with other forms of identification and verification. Show your reliability with:

• Proof of employment, recent pay stubs or bank statements that vouch for a steady income
• References from employers, family, friends or other responsible contacts who can give a nod to your reliability

Use a co-signer 

You know the song lyric, “I get by with a little help from my friends?” Having a cosigner is a great way to get your foot in the rental door. Ask a family member or friend who has an established credit or rental history if they would be willing to cosign your lease. 

Cosigners take on financial responsibility if you are unable to pay your rent, so be mindful that this is a huge commitment for them. Make sure you, and your cosigner, are on the same page and understand the responsibilities before signing anything.

Offer a larger security deposit

More money up front can help a landlord feel at ease. Some landlords will accept a larger security deposit to reduce their risk of renting to someone with less established credit or rental history. If you have the funds, show your willingness to make a commitment with more money up front. This can help you come across as a responsible tenant.

Build history in short-term rentals or sublets 

Month-to-month or single room rentals can make things easier, especially if you don’t yet have a lot of apartment furniture to move.

• Look for options such as Airbnb or VRBO. They are less likely to have any credit or rental history requirement and allow short-term rental agreements. 
• Rent a shared room, or join a lease with a friend who already has an established rental history.
• Pay your rent on time to establish a good rental reputation with landlords — even if that landlord is your best friend.

Share an apartment with some buddies who have already rented a place.

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Be honest when browsing apartments for rent in Utah

This is especially true if you’re looking for a private landlord, but honesty goes a long way. Be transparent. Your lack of rental or credit history may not be a big deal to private landlords at all. They may just want personal references anyways. Explain your situation. Did you just graduate college? Is this the first place you’ve ever lived outside of your parent’s place? Show that you’re eager to be a responsible tenant.

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Understand the risks

Know that being a newbie to the rental world can feel tricky at times. You may have to pay higher security deposits. You may have limited options, such as finding private landlords or renting from people you know. You may get rejected more often than if you had more credit and rental history. But these risks only happen for a short period of time, usually only until after you’ve rented your first place.

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Rental assistance

In Utah, it’s easy to look for the helpers. If you need it, rental assistance is available. Try Utah Community Action, where you can find rent and deposit assistance. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to find income-based rental assistance in Utah.

Ready to find your first place? Use filters on KSL Homes to find landlords willing to work with you.