Be alert its income tax season and apartment slumlords are on the hunt

Urgent alert urgent alert
Its income tax season and apartment complexes and slumlords are on the hunt for vulnerable people looking for housing options. They are like sharks in the water.
So here are safety tips to keep you safe

If the application fee is more than $100 to apply for apartment ask more questions. They will give you any reason to deny you just to get the application fee, Denial will say its your credit score, lack of employment time, no rental history or your income is not enough. You do not get the application fee back. In some cases the properties will take many applications before approving anyone. Also because it cost money to get a unit ready, in some cases they are only preparing 1 or 2 apartments units at a time and will take 20 applications monthly before they approve anyone. In most cases the apartment complexes can only manage so many residents and they dont have enough maintenance staff so they are really just collecting application fees. If you are denied ask for a letter stating your denial.
In some cases all the apartment or property manager have to do is call the court system and ask about your name or address you listed on your application to find out if you have any eviction notices. It is public record and a person does not have to pay a fee, to inquire and anyone can do it. Even if you leave your residence it still shows up on court records as an eviction, once you are filed on and receive a case number. It cost money to run credit checks but calling the court is free.
Ask for denial letter to show proof if they even ran a credit check.

If you apply for a house to rent and you are approved instantly before you pay any money consult with legal aid 7705282565.

If you are approved and you have to pay the first month rent and security deposit, before you pay take a tour of the property and speak to neighbors. Check with police department on crime report. Check with the county or city to find out if the property have code enforcement reports. If you see boarded up windows, dirty pools, litter on grounds, leave immediately.

If you apply for an apartment and you can prove you make 3 x the rent but the apartment complex is falling down, the management company is looking at you and saying in their mind that if you really made 3x the rent you would not be on their property. Apartment managers dont make 3x the rent and they are renting rooms or staying with family members. So basically they will approve you just to get your money and will file eviction on you once you are late. Cobb County has a high rate of evictions especially black families.

If you are in need of assistance to find housing check with this agency
https://frontlinehousing.org/

If you are in need of security deposit check with this agency
https://www.communityrestorati...
Please note these agencies have firm requirements and you must be willing to be apart of workshops and financial classes to receive the assistance

We Thrive on Riverside Renters Association will host community zoom meeting on February 23rd at 7pm and will feature lease wisely who will do a presentation on how to read and interpret your leases. please email Monica DeLancy at monicadelancy@hotmail.com for the zoom link.

So in closing if you are looking for an apartment or house to rent and you go to a neighborhood that has a lot of issues and they approve you quickly and ask for about $3000 to move in and that's all you have, and you must do it because you need a place to live, I understand
please note rent comes up very quickly every month so plan accordingly. Dont wait until you cant pay to start complaining about maintenance issues, dont wait until you cant pay to start calling code enforcement. Be proactive and dont be afraid to speak up. Ask a lawyer to review documents 7705282565
And if you are already housed do your best to keep your apartment. If you need a 3 bedroom and trying to cram in a 2 bedroom dont do it, go ahead and get a larger apartment to accommodate your family size. Small apartments will wear and tear quickly with large families.

Unified residents must work together to provide safe and decent housing even in challenging neighborhoods, our children is depending on us.