Rented with bad credit through a private landlord vs a big company, night and day difference

I compared two paths to get housing with a 540 score. The big corporate apartment complex in Phoenix wanted 2 months deposit plus a co-signer and still said no. A private landlord off Craigslist let me explain my situation, showed him my pay stubs and a letter from my credit counselor, and he gave me a 12 month lease with just a $500 deposit. Same credit, totally different outcome. The corporate gatekeepers run everything through algorithms and won't budge. Private owners can use their own judgment. Has anyone else had better luck going private instead of through the big property management companies?

2 comments

2 Comments

josephbailey6d ago

I mean, big companies follow the rules, that's why they're safer to deal with long term.

josephbailey6d ago

Kinda risky renting from random people, they can change rules on you anytime.