[nassir]

I faced a relatively similar situation when trying to rent in the East Bay. My wife and I both have 720+ credit scores as were looking to rent in the $2500 range. After going through applications at 3 places and getting rejected, I realized something was off. Our credit scores had been run multiple times and we had paid application processing fees at multiple places yet we were getting rejected. Perhaps the applicant pool is so strong that my 7X multiple on rent income and great scores won't cut it - but I find it hard to believe. Perhaps the blessing of a strong tech economy comes with the curse of arrogant and fraudulant potential landlords. Can't wait to get out of this city

[x0x0]

I help manage an apartment building.

There's always the chance there's something wrong on your reports. You should get your own credit reports directly from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion; this will cost you $30-ish in CA. Make sure the reports include FICO scores, and don't settle for any non-fico nonsense (eg CreditKarma or any such competitors). For future applications, you may be able to re-use those reports for a month. It never hurts to ask.

As for us, our algorithm (at least in part to avoid illegal discrimination) is simple: we drop anyone with bad credit (maybe a small medical collection is ok, but nothing else), then sort by income descending.

The other possibility is you're giving off a difficult tenant vibe. It's hard to explain in words, but after a while, I think you get a sense of who's going to be a pita. So things like asking about apartment rules (eg no smoking, how many pets, etc) is fine; asking for exceptions to those rules can go either way. It really depends how you ask.

[Broken_Hippo]

Didn't they pass a law some years back allowing folks to get their credit report (from the major companies) once a year? In addition, isn't it law that they send a letter after taking negative action based on the credit report - because people are entitled to it then as well?

If this is the case, that fee won't be there.

[x0x0]

Free credit reports don't include FICO scores, and come with various other drawbacks, such as a lengthened time for the CRAs to respond to disputes.

The CRAs don't send a letter after negative action, the company who chose to grant or not grant credit does. You are entitled to a free report; however, it can be a pain to get when the company from whom you requested credit is small.

[Broken_Hippo]

Ah, ok. Well, in that case, it is only a half-good law and not really helpful. Thanks for filling in the details for me.

[nassir]

In my opinion, bad credit does not always imply the person is irresponsible or incapable of paying their debt. Landlord subjectivity is hurting some genuinely good people who would make responsible tenants.

[tedmiston]

> After going through applications at 3 places and getting rejected, I realized something was off.

So did you investigate what that something is? (Unclear to me)

[nassir]

That something could be:- - Too many good applicants with better credentials (I doubt this part) - Landlords pocketing fees from as many applicants as possible. - The tenant is now a commodity, unlike 7 years ago.. There are no regulations protecting potential tenants - Something like a single standard application that could be used across potential rental properties would be helpful - Subjectivity of the landlord. I sense landlords figure that there are certain types that will stay in the property longer and will keep the property in order. People with kids are seen as a red flag sometimes, and single people miht not stay in one place too long. And I can guarantee there are some unspoken racial considerations in there.

Anyways, I do suggest people get a credit monitoring app like credit karma and negotiate with a landlord to use that if possible.

[floatrock]

he's saying "lots of people are probably running this scam" as an explanation his shitty experience with the shittiness that is the bay area housing market.

[tedmiston]

Ah, okay. After reading the author's Medium post, I wasn't as convinced the rest of HN that he's actually being scammed. Put another way, he has not convinced me that the issue doesn't lie in something unique to his situation or his credit report. Most of the "red flags" mentioned, as others have pointed out here, are not abnormal in (legitimate) apartment rental application processes, my own included.

[baddox]

Which town in the East Bay, if you don't mind me asking?

[nassir]

Fremont