Renting without credit history (new to USA on H1-B) (Seattle: apartment, rentals)

[nnnrgh]

Hey!

I'll be moving to Seattle in the fall on a new, first time H1-B visa. I'm confused as to the process of boot-strapping myself in the states. Specifically: I've read that the apartment rental market is pretty rough these days in Seattle. Most rentals require background and/or credit checks for the prospective tenants.

Since I'm on a first time H1-B, with no credit or rental history in the US, what are my chances of getting a decent apartment somewhere close to work considering that there will probably be other candidates with better history?

Any insight would be more than appreciated!

Thanks,
-i

[RVD90277]

Since you are on an H1-B, you have a job so you can show the apartment your job offer. If it is from one of the major companies here (Amazon, MSFT, Boeing, etc.) you should have no problem.

Even if it's not from one of the major companies around here, it's usually ok since you can show employment. I suppose that sometimes they might ask for a larger deposit.

[Mousetron]

The apartment buildings that my husband and I looked at have an established procedure for people with no history in the US. The ones we talked to just wanted to see the letter of offer and took an extra month's rent as a deposit. So we had to pay the standard first and last month plus the no-credit-history deposit for 3 months of rent in total.

The market seems to have tightened up a bit from when we were looking a year ago but I don't think you'd have any problems.

[nnnrgh]

Thanks for reassuring me folks! Looking forward to making a new home in Seattle later this year!