 Fortune tellers can take a look at you and (so they suppose) can tell everything about you. Well, in real life, when it comes to finding the right apartment in NJ, landlords rely less on the way you look and more on the look of your credit report.
Your apartment interview might go really well. You may hit it off immediately. And then they ask you how your credit is and you say its fine… well, there might be a very good reason why you never get the call back from that dream apartment complex. OR, they may say that you’ve got the place . . .but you need a co-signer. . . or they just tell you they’ve found somebody else. If you haven’t seen your credit report, don’t be surprised. Trust us when we say, a landlord or NJ leasing manager would rather have you tell them about and explain a minor problem on your credit report, then have them find out for themselves. Most people will not give you the benefit of the doubt if they’ve already asked you about your credit and you didn’t tell them about any issues upfront. Most people assume you know what on your credit report. So before you go NJ apartment hunting, button up your neatly ironed shirt and pants, and drive down to the NJ leasing office to go meet your new landlord or property manager, take some time to keep reading this post. Credit Report Basics If you want to find an apartment in NJ, you really need to know how your credit looks. In all honesty, it’s important to view your credit report at least once a year to make sure that the information is correct and free of fraudulent activity. Viewing the information makes sure you can address any fraudulent activity or just make sure that what is written up on you is an accurate depiction of your financial healthiness. You may be very surprised at how much detail you can find in your credit report and what a credit report will tell other people about you. A credit report includes four basic types of information: |
|
· Payment history– A list of the accounts you have with different creditors, showing how much credit they extended to you, your bank balances, and whether or not you have paid on time.
· Inquiries– A record of the lenders, creditors, apartment owners that have requested your credit history.
· Public Record Information- Events that are a matter of public record, such as bankruptcies, foreclosures, or tax liens.
Requesting a report
Now, thanks to some consumer friendly legislation, the NJ Fair Credit Reporting Act, it’s easy to obtain your credit information.
Free annual credit reports are available in New Jersey. Each additional report is usually less than $10, but they are free if you’ve been denied credit, employment or housing in the past 60 days. To learn more about annual credit reports, visit www.annualcreditreport.com.
Monitoring your credit for accuracy is an easy step to take in protecting yourself from fraud, identity theft, and arming yourself before you start applying for a new place to live. To request a copy of your credit report, use the information below to contact each credit bureau.
Report Fraud Dispute Credit Report Address
Equifax (800) 525-6285 (800) 685-1111 P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374
Experian (888) 397-3742 (888) 397-3742 P.O. Box 2002 Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion (800) 680-7289 (800) 916-8800 P.O. Box 1000 Chester, PA 19022
(Note: the report is free, but to get the score will cost a few bucks)
If you want to learn more about your credit, what it means to you, and how to adjust your reports, go to www.myFICO.com
How to Request your Credit Report: Additional Numbers to Try
Call the three major credit bureaus listed below and enter the information as prompted
Equifax: 1800-685-1111
Experian: 1800-311-4769
TransUnion: 1800-888-4213
