Advice please for UK citizen relocating and renting (Fort Worth: apartment, rental)

[Tigerlily64]

I work for a US company in the UK but am being relocated by them to Fort Worth early February for a minimum of 3 years. I will be on an L1a visa supported by my company.

I am starting to look at rental properties and note the application processes seem to vary quite widely but typically involve credit checking and payment of application fee(s). Due to my status in the US I will have no credit history for a while but can provide letter of employment and confirmation of salary, I could also provide exemplary references from the property I currently rent in the UK (covering past 3+ years). I am UK Government security cleared which means that I have been thoroughly vetted for anything that might remotely constitute a security risk etc and having just gone through all the checks that are required to obtain an L1a visa for the USA, would realtors and potential landlords find this all acceptable in lieu of the normal checks they do with US residents?

Secondly, in the UK application fees are only payable once you actually apply to rent a property and not just to view potential places. If I understand some of the postings I have seen, realtors in US seem to want fees paid up front whether or not you then go see a property and decide itnis not the one for you? This could get very costly if I wanted to view multiple properties before choosing one?!

I appreciate that this thread may be will get moved to the renting forum but I posted in the Fort Worth one as I am hoping a local realtor will respond!

Many thanks in advance.

[jeevcy]

Originally Posted by Tigerlily64

Due to my status in the US I will have no credit history for a while but can provide letter of employment and confirmation of salary, I could also provide exemplary references from the property I currently rent in the UK (covering past 3+ years). I am UK Government security cleared which means that I have been thoroughly vetted for anything that might remotely constitute a security risk etc and having just gone through all the checks that are required to obtain an L1a visa for the USA, would realtors and potential landlords find this all acceptable in lieu of the normal checks they do with US residents?

you may have to pay additional security deposit if you do not have credit and rental history

Originally Posted by Tigerlily64

Secondly, in the UK application fees are only payable once you actually apply to rent a property and not just to view potential places. If I understand some of the postings I have seen, realtors in US seem to want fees paid up front whether or not you then go see a property and decide itnis not the one for you? This could get very costly if I wanted to view multiple properties before choosing one?!

I appreciate that this thread may be will get moved to the renting forum but I posted in the Fort Worth one as I am hoping a local realtor will respond!

never heard having to pay prior to viewing the apartment. once you view and decide it is for you, you would need to pay the applicable fees

[expatChicagoan]

As Jeevcy indicated, the application fee is once you decide that you want to apply to rent the apartment; you won't pay that to view an apartment. The fee is basically for them to run the necessary credit check (or other verifications).

I imagine that if you can get a letter from your employer confirming your employment status, you should be able to find a place with no credit history.

Good luck with your search, and welcome to Fort Worth!

[loves2read]

You are going to love living in FT Worth--hope your move goes well!

[Tigerlily64]

Thanks all, I hope so - not long to go now, arrive 9th Feb - scary but exciting and hopefully all the people I meet will be as helpful and friendly as the ones I have "met" on this forum!!