text: You have three options.\n1) Rent from an individual who will not run a credit/background check.  Of course if they own more than one unit (i.e. apartments instead of a house) you risk having neighbors who have done gods-only-know-what because 99% of the time the criminal background check is done with the credit check.\n2) Go to public housing, but I thought you said no dumps....\n3) Admit up front what the issues are and keep looking until you find a property manager who is willing to work with you.  You may be required to put down an additional deposit, but it won't be as bad as other options.  If you chose to do this option, MAKE SURE you talk to the property manager, not an assistant or a leasing agent as they are not authorized (generally speaking) to make those kinds of decisions.\n\nMy family was in a similar situation a few months ago but thankfully we found a community that had just emptied due to renovations and was trying to lease up again fast.  The manager was willing to work with us because she needed the occupancy.