Went apartment hunting today...

[moosmom]

Catty1,

I asked her if it would make a difference if my rent was paid for the entire year and she said no, that wouldn't prevent me from leaving and allowing someone else to stay there.

I've already met her in person on Friday. I'm going up there this morning and talk to them. What's weird is when I told them my credit wasn't that good, she asked me if I had a co-signer, which I do. I don't know what could've possibly changed between Friday and now.

The only way to get hold of these people is to go there in person (45 minutes away), as they get TONS of phone calls and I always get the answering machine.

I'm trying to keep a positive outlook right now, as it's not as bad as it could be. My address could've wound up at 6EZP48 (my license plate #). So the other place is small. At least it's a roof over my cats and mine heads.

Oh Catmandu, be prepared for kitty pile up contests!!!

Thanks for being flip, Catty1. I love ya!!!

[jenluckenbach]

DRAT! DRAT! DRAT!!!!!!!! I was so hoping this would work for you. But the smaller appartment will work, I promise. Home is where the cats are even if it is the size of a shoe box.

Maybe with your 1st month's saving of $120 you can find a good used refridgerator for sale somewhere.

[ramanth]

Aw man!

While I realize a smaller apartment and fridge is not ideal, it is at least a roof over you and the kitties heads.

Perhaps in this case, actions speak louder than words. By being a good tenant and proof that it is YOU living in the apartment and you're not sub-letting or just plain letting someone else stay there, then perhaps they would be more willing to bump you up to the larger place.

I agree that talking face to face would be best in this situation. Hope everything works out!

[Catty1]

Ramnth - good point.

If you take the small one - no reason you can't upgrade to a larger apt once your "probation" is over. And you'll have a chance to put away a couple more bucks, maybe.

The tiny place is not forever.

HUGS!

Good luck at the office.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I know how hard it is to find afforadable pet-friendly rentals. Keep looking, I'm sure there is something else out there!!

Have you searched ads for sharing houses? Many of those allow pets. Also, this is just what I've found out in my experience, but private rentals (ie landlord) are a lot better at negotiating. Rental companies have stupid policies (like not allowing you to live there even if you pay all the rent in advance ) that many landlords are willing to negotiate.

When we moved to Denver our place was a pit, we moved out and lived in campgrounds until we found a suitable place. It actually only took us a week, but I found it by calling everywhere. I usually started the conversation by "do you allow pets?" If they said yes, I played us up, we are such good tenants blah blah blah and THEN I would see the place, usually by that time they liked us, THEN I would say how many pets we had (oh, by the way, we have 3 very well behaved dogs and 1 small cat).

I think if you keep looking you might be able to find something else, and even if you have to take the small efficiency, well at least you get to stay with your wonderful kitty cats.

Sorry for such a long winded response.

[Zippy]

That is great you found an apt.like everone said when you are living in the small apt.be the best tenent(sp?)you can be and they could bump you up on the list of the big apt.I know about trying to find apt that take pets it is a nightmare.

[Cataholic]

I got a phone call this morning from the woman at the rental office. I had a couple of questions about the application.

She told me in order to get me into the apartment I wanted, I had to have EXCELLENT credit (so much for THAT idea). When I told her I filed for bankruptcy 4 years ago, she said, "Well, they'd never rent to anyone with a bankruptcy on their credit." I asked her if it would make a difference if the rent was paid in full for a year. She said no because they have no guarantee that I wouldn't move out and allow someone else to live there. Geez!!!

So, I have to settle for the shoebox size apartment and dorm refrigerator. I told her the refrigerator was unacceptable and she said they can do an appliance subsidy where I bring in my own (yeah right). This is gonna be interesting. A very small apartment with me and 4 cats. The rent is $454/month (about $120 cheaper).

Hmmmm....I would think the ONLY thing that would make a LL feel secure is to obtain the whole contract amount, a year's payments, up front. Sorry, that lady makes no sense. They rent the place- you pay money. Why would it matter if you moved out? They have their rent. Unless it is a senior's only housing, of course, or some subsidized program, in which the rental amount is contingent upon YOUR allowable amount.

But, why would apartment X (the larger one) be no-go to a poor credit risk, but, apartment Y (the smaller one) be ok? Either you will pay your rent, or you won't, right?

I am the LAST person to scream discrimination. But, if you are in a subsidized situation, and you are being denied apartment X based on your credit rating, there is a problem.

They aren't doing you right, Donna

[kimlovescats]

Oh Donna, I'm sorry you didn't get the apartment that you really wanted! But this is a start for you, and once you get on your feet you can start looking for some place better! How long of a lease period did you have to sign for? I would take the shortest term if they offer them ... that way if you are miserable, you don't have to wait too long to move again!

Hugs,
Kim

[moosmom]

Well, both job relocations are in place. Both are in Manchester, across the street from each other. If I have to work a late night, I can crash at my daughter's apartment until the morning. That's until I get the place, so THAT'S out of the way. After talking with my brother, we both agreed that the smaller apartment, however small it is, would be better than not having anyplace to live. So, if I get approved for that one, I'll be living on Chapman Street. I'm sure I can make do with it. I'll have to get a refurbished apt size refridge though. That dorm fridge is just not gonna cut it. I'm TRYING to be optimistic here. Humor me, will ya??

[Catty1]

onna - just tell people your tastes run to "Early Salvation Army" and "Modern Goodwill"!

There is such a thing as an apartment size fridge...my sis had one and they are CUTE(okay, I don't get out much....

[moosmom]

Catty1,

That makes me feel a whole lot better. My friend asked me if I could get away with using the dorm refridge. If the freezer wasn't the size of a VCR, I might be able to, but no.

Early Salvation Army and Modern Goodwill. That's a good one!! I needed a good laugh today, girl.