Even in hard economic times, people need places to live and landlords have to make money. While many landlords now require a credit check as part of the rental process, you don't necessarily need to have an unblemished credit report to land an apartment you will love to live in. A positive record of on-time payments and healthy history are used as indicators of your ability to pay your rent; even if your rental history is flawless but your credit problems lie in an old credit card, some owners may not see that as a good enough guarantee. After talking to landlords (and landladies) and researching the apartment market, here are some smart tips if you are a tenant with less-than-perfect credit.

Apartments and Credit Checks

Your best option is to search for an apartment whose rental requirements do not involve a credit check. If you want a luxury apartment or condominium, you can expect a credit check, so look into family-owned apartment building managers who may not inquire about your credit report. Using a real-estate agent who knows your needs may also be a way to avoid having your credit history unearthed. Searching on Craigslist, in your local newspaper, and through word-of-mouth in your neighborhood are the easiest ways to find a renter who will bypass a credit check.

Bad Credit and Co-signers

Another option is to get a co-signer with better credit to sign the lease with you. Be careful in making this decision; since your co-signer is legally liable in the event that you do not pay your rent, you could ruin their credit and your relationship with the person. If you are positive that you will be able to pay your rent and are committed to keeping your co-signer's faith and finances intact, be extremely cautious and put their credit needs before your own.