 TITLE: What Is a Guarantor for an Apartment and Do I Need One? CONTENT: When You May Need a Guarantor\n-----------------------------\nThere are several reasons you may need a guarantor to get your rental application approved. Common red flags that may lead a landlord to require a guarantor include:\n*   **Credit issues:** If you have little or no credit history, bad credit or a bankruptcy on your credit report, the property manager or landlord may have reservations about your ability to make timely rent payments.\n*   **No rental history:** Many landlords or property managers require first-time tenants to have a guarantor. Once you've built up your rental history, you can possibly lease elsewhere without a personal guarantor.\n*   **Unstable employment history:** Frequent gaps in your employment history could equate to income problems in the near future. Or, if you are a college student without a full-time job, the landlord may want a guarantee that your rent will be paid, even if you have student loans or savings to cover rental costs.\n*   **Minimal income:** Many landlords require the household income to be at least three times the monthly rent to ensure the tenant can afford rent payments and other living expenses. Landlords or property managers will request proof of income and may confirm this information with your current employer.\nThis list is not all-inclusive, and you will be notified if you need a guarantor once your landlord or property manager reviews your application. You can also ask the leasing agent about general qualification criteria for renters before you apply for an apartment to know if you should start looking for a guarantor.\nIf you plan to live alone and can't get approved for an apartment on your own, you may be left with no choice but to find a guarantor. But if you don't mind having a roommate to help save money, you may not need a personal guarantor if they meet the qualification criteria for the unit. END