Ask HN: Apartment in SF w/o a Job

#1

Post by Azuldolphin » Thu, Dec 02, 2010, 2:24 AM UTC

My cofounder and I (YC W11 rejects) are moving to San Francisco in January to work full time on our start-up. We're leaving our jobs with enough savings to reasonably get by for a year.

Does anyone hav advice regarding finding an apartment without an income? Will having enough cash reserves to pay for 6 months up front be enough? Or will we have to find a guarantor? Or ... would it make sense to show our most recent pay stubs implying that we still have jobs, comfortable in the knowledge that we can afford to pay anyway?

I'm assuming this must be a pretty common situation in silicon valley, so there are probably precedents set...

Re: Ask HN: Apartment in SF w/o a Job

#2

Post by jeffmould » Thu, Dec 02, 2010, 2:41 AM UTC

I have been in a similar situation before. I offered to pay 3 months rent ahead, along with the security deposit. The landlord countered back and we agreed to sign a six month lease with the entire six months paid in advance. Once I made it through the first six months he was agreeable to let me extend for one year. But by this time I had a job so there was little to worry about. In talking with him though he would have let me extend either way since I had been up front with him and showed I was capable of making payments. I also had a good rental history and good credit so that helped significantly I believe. I have had friends though that had to get a cosigner (parent) to sign along with them.

Just be upfront with the landlord and explain the situation clearly. In my case I went in showing bank statements and my ability to pay for a year upfront if needed. It definitely helped his comfort level. One thing I also found is you will have an easier time with an individual landlord rather than some corporate management company.

Re: Ask HN: Apartment in SF w/o a Job

#3

Post by lian » Thu, Dec 02, 2010, 3:16 AM UTC

You can find places in SF with short leases if you look hard enough, ranging from even 1-3 months. When moving into such a situation about a month ago, all it took was having my credit report, lease agreement and a verbal pledge that I would have no trouble paying the rent for at least the term of the lease. I agree that you should seek out an individual landlord, be up front, and have sufficient documentation to prove your commitment.