Problems Renting Apartment in Cali

Hi Everyone,

I'm here in the Bay Area on a TN visa, working as an attorney, with my husband (who has a TD). We've been here for almost a year and would like to move to an apartment/ house closer to work (we didn't realise that 12 miles could take 1.5 hours to commute each way), but we've been having a lot of problems because people don't want to rent to us because, as they say, we're not "American citizens." It seems that the landlords/ property managers etc. accumulate several applications for each house/ apartment vacancy and choose the applicants they prefer. Unfortunately, the few who have been direct with us have expressed concern and hesitance that we are Canadian (or, at least not American). This fact is readily apparent given that my husband has a TD visa and thus cannot get a SSN. We also only have one year of 'rental history' in the U.S. or at all, given that in Alberta we have owned our homes for the past decade.

Are we doomed to stay in the same little apartment that we're in, or does anyone have any ideas about how to overcome such fears of landlords in a market where they seem to be able to be extremely particular over renters?

Thanks and take care,

Lisa

In the Nashville area, more landlords, particularly corporately-owned developments, require hard proof of immigration status before they'll consider your application. They are trying to crack down on renting to 'illegal' immigrants, but we get caught in the bias, too. When I first started working in the U.S., I had my bank back home fax down a letter of reference to the apartment complex as I too had no rental history, here or in Ontario (had always owned).

Have you tried looking for rentals on Craigslist? I've had good luck with renting from private homeowners.

That's a good idea to get a reference from the bank 'back home.' We've actually experienced the opposite problem in that the larger, mega-apartment complex/ corporate places haven't had concerns with us (this is how we rented last year) and have found that the landlords/ owners on Craigslist (which is where we're finding the kinds of places we'd like re. area, amenities etc.) are the people who have expressed reluctance to rent to non-citizens. So, for us, if we wanted to stay in a suburban apartment complex, as we are now, it would probably be ok - but to move closer to work, or into a more private dwelling, we've been running into all sorts of problems. Perhaps it will be another year of brutal commuting and tiny apartment living.yikes!

My sister had this problem, she got an interest-only mortgage. The hassle is that the rates are quite high and there's the hassle of buying a house. Not sure if it's still a realistic option given the mortgage mess and the state of the housing market.

Yes, we've thought at this point that buying might actually be easier, but that will take a while yet as at this point, we still don't qualify for an American credit card/ cell phone etc. (the road to establishing credit here is apparently quite a long one these days). I think that we will probably have to stay here, I'll have to suffer the commute for a while longer, and hope that some day we will just find someone will not be as terrified of renting to a foreigner as I clearly cannot 'compete' for apartments/ houses with citizens. I'm trying very hard not to get frustrated, but I am starting to truly miss being accepted by society/ banks/ companies etc. as a legitimate resident.

I understand your angst there. Even with clear legal proof that you are here legally, everything can be a hassle, from setting up utilities to getting a cell phone or finding a place. From working in the southeast and in the horticultural industry, I've found that workers here 'illegally' fair far better and with less hassle - and it is frustrating.

Something you may want to check into with the company you are renting from. Some of these larger property management companies have relocation plans that allow you to move from complex to complex within their property locations. Maybe that would help. Another avenue to try may be you HR department, perhaps they can assist in securing more suitable acomodations, it certainly wouldn't hurt to ask. Another place I've seen rentals posted are in the local coffee shops in upscale and up and coming areas. In our area, East Nashville is quickly developing into a 'hip' place to live, with cool shops, nightlife, and coffee shops to explore. If you find an area like that where you would like to live, you may find listings for area properties there. A good real estate agent may also be able to point you to rentals in the area as well.

I had a similar problem when I moved down to Texas, but my employer agree to co-sign my lease for the first year. After that, I was able to do it on my own. Is that a possibility for you?

I clearly cannot 'compete' for apartments/ houses with citizens.

It might be unlawful to discriminate on this basis under the provisions of the Civil Rights Act 1964 (as amended) and California has their own Act which is even tougher, because I think it extends to renting property. Hint that you heard about filing a civil rights claim if they refuse tenancy.

Also it shouldn't be terribly difficult to establish US credit, most banks offer secured credit cards (i.e. your credit limit is what you have in your bank account) and you can transfer certain things like Amex to the US.

Even with clear legal proof that you are here legally, everything can be a hassle, from setting up utilities to getting a cell phone or finding a place.

The worst change I'm aware of in the last few years is that Florida now only extends the homestead exemption to citizens and LPRs, which means if you live in Florida on a non-immigrant visa, you're subject to the full whack of property tax. And because of the way the ceiling on rate increases works, that means also that your property tax rate will go up much faster than an LPR or citizen.