However, to sign a lease for an apartment that you are contractually obligated to honor and will have rights about, you will need to have reached the age of majority for your state. This dictates that you must be at least 18 years old or above, and 19 years old if you live in Alabama or Nebraska.
Can you rent an apartment if you are under 18?
Renting an apartment to someone under the age of 18 can be problematic for both tenant and landlord. Few minors have a credit history, or have lived with anyone other than relatives or guardians. While minors can sign contracts, the other party of the contract can't force the minor to comply with its terms.
How difficult is it for a 19-year-old to afford an apartment?
Originally Answered: How difficult is it for a 19 year old to financially have his own apartment? Age has nothing to do with your ability to pay for housing. Your income has everything to do with it. I am 19 years old trying to build my low credit, but I do not make enough money annually. Are there any credit cards that could help?
Can a 17-year-old rent a house?
The issue here is that, at 17, a person, at least in the U.S., is not considered an adult and cannot legally sign contracts and be held responsible for signing them. You may be able to find someone who has a single room or is renting a place over their garage who will rent to a 17 year old. They may not check ID or may not care.
How old do you have to be to sign an apartment lease?
However, to sign a lease for an apartment that you are contractually obligated to honor and will have rights about, you will need to have reached the age of majority for your state. This dictates that you must be at least 18 years old or above, and 19 years old if you live in Alabama or Nebraska.
Can you get an apartment at 18 in Alabama?
It is 19 in Alabama and Nebraska and 21 in Mississippi and Puerto Rico. Poole said that his bill does not change the age for alcohol and tobacco. Representative Craig Ford (D-Gadsden) spoke in favor of the bill. Currently an 18 year old can not buy a vehicle, rent an apartment, or sign a contract until they turn 19.
What age should I get my first apartment?
In California, the legal age to enter into a contract – including a lease to rent an apartment – is 18 years old, however, there are exceptions for emancipated minors and individuals who are married or in the military.
How can I move into an apartment at 20?
7 Tips for Getting an Apartment Without CreditRent from an individual owner. ... Offer to move in right away. ... Prove income or savings balance. ... Pay a few months' rent upfront as a security deposit. ... Provide reference letters. ... Offer to start out month-to-month. ... If all else fails, get a co-signer.
Can you get an apartment at 18 in Georgia?
Occupant(s) will not be financially responsible for the lease, must complete an application, and pay the application fee or, Person(s) under the age of 18, need not complete an application and will not be financially responsible for the lease.
How can I get a apartment at 18 with no credit?
So, even if you lack a credit history, here are 7 ways you can still get the apartment you want.Get a Co-Signer. ... Provide References and Recommendations. ... Get a Roommate with Good Credit. ... Show Proof of Income. ... Explain Your Financial Situation. ... Offer to Move in Immediately or on a Shorter Lease. ... Pay a Larger Security Deposit.
How do I get my first apartment?
How to Get Your First ApartmentDetermine How Much You Can Afford to Pay.Find the Area Where You Want to Live.Decide Whether You Want a Roommate.Gather Solid References.Start by Looking at 5 Properties.Clarify the Cost of Utilities.Take Your Time to Make a Decision.Submit the Application.More items...
Is it hard to get your first apartment?
First-time apartment renters are oftentimes young and with little to no credit and little or no work history. That's okay; good credit takes time to accumulate. While it can sting when you're asked by a leasing agent to get a co-signer, it's not as big a deal as it may seem.
How can I move out at 18?
How to Move Out at 18 and Afford it [with a Checklist]At some point, every teenager starts thinking about moving out on their own. ... Discuss with your family and friends. ... Develop a plan. ... Build an income skill. ... Build your credit. ... Find out living expenses. ... Build a 6-month emergency fund. ... Travel and moving costs.More items...
What I Wish I Knew Before Getting my first apartment?
17 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Moving Into My First ApartmentCreating a Cleaning Schedule Is Key. ... Don't Bring Your Best Cooking Equipment. ... Your Roommates Don't Care If That's Your Favorite Mug. ... Yes, You Can Overcrowd Your Freezer. ... Claim a Shelf in the Fridge ASAP. ... Dirty Dishes Are a Thing—So Get Over It.More items...
Can you get an apartment at 19 in Georgia?
How Old Do You Need to Be to Rent an Apartment? Only adults are legally allowed to sign rental contracts. Since most states set the age of adulthood at 18, this means that you can't rent until you're an adult, and landlords are legally allowed to refuse to rent to you if you're under 18.
What age can I rent an apartment?
To rent a property you need to sign a type of contract called a lease. It's usually difficult to have a contract that someone under the age of 18 can sign because usually the young person wouldn't be held accountable if something went wrong.
Can a minor rent an apartment?
Anyone can sign a lease, including a minor. The issue is whether the person can be held accountable to follow the requirements of the lease, such as paying rent. A lease is a contract. A minor is generally not bound by their contracts.
Can a 16 year old rent an apartment?
The age of majority is considered 18 in most states and increased in Alabama, Nebraska, and Mississippi. For those who are underage, other means allow persons aged 16 – 17 to get an apartment, such as emancipation, marriage, military service, as well as co-signing.
What age should you live on your own?
He said, “Once a man is 25, he should move out of his parents' house. Maturity is important to live alone but from 25 years to 29, a child should leave the parent's house. This will allow them a level of independence required to make tangible decisions about life. It can be when they are 25, 27 or 29.
What I Wish I Knew Before Getting my first apartment?
17 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Moving Into My First ApartmentCreating a Cleaning Schedule Is Key. ... Don't Bring Your Best Cooking Equipment. ... Your Roommates Don't Care If That's Your Favorite Mug. ... Yes, You Can Overcrowd Your Freezer. ... Claim a Shelf in the Fridge ASAP. ... Dirty Dishes Are a Thing—So Get Over It.More items...
Should I get my own apartment?
Think About the Cost and What You Can Afford The most important thing to consider before deciding to rent an apartment on your own is your budget. A benefit to roommates is that you end up splitting the cost of the rent and the utility bills; when you live on your own, you are solely responsible for it all.
2 attorney answers
You're at the perfect age to make great decisions or horrible ones that will screw up your life for decades to come. BE CAREFUL! If you want to live with your Airman, some people might say you ought to consider his marriage-proposal as a condition of doing that.
Matthew James Casebolt
You're at the perfect age to make great decisions or horrible ones that will screw up your life for decades to come. BE CAREFUL! If you want to live with your Airman, some people might say you ought to consider his marriage-proposal as a condition of doing that.
Why can't a landlord refuse to rent to someone under 18?
The law does not address age discrimination implicitly. The landlord could refuse to rent to someone under 18 because she does not have an established credit history.
What is age discrimination in housing?
Age Discrimination. The Fair Housing Act prohibits landlords from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Amendments to the Act, added in 1988, further prohibit discriminating based on familial status or disability. This means a landlord can't refuse to rent to someone with children.
Can a minor rent a room?
Many renters will be reluctant to rent to a minor, even an emancipated minor. You may have been lucky renting a garage apartment, or a room in the home of a private individual. Be prepared to provide references from your employer, teachers and other responsible adults.
Can a minor sign a rental agreement?
Since minors can't make legally binding contracts, landlords usually require the applicant to find an adult, usually his parent or guardian, to co-sign the rental agreement. The cosigner is financially responsible if the minor fails to pay the rent or causes damage to the property.
Can a minor be emancipated?
A minor can go to court and ask to have himself declared emancipated. An emancipated minor is legally considered an adult and may enter into contracts as an adult. In this case, a landlord could rent to a minor without having a parent cosign the rental agreement.
Do renters have to pay rent?
No matter their age, all renters must demonstrate that they're able to pay the required rent. Your prospective landlord may ask to see pay stubs, ask about your financial circumstances or run a credit check. You will probably have to pay your first and last month's rent, as well as a deposit, just as any other renter would be required to do.
Who is responsible for paying rent for the entire term of a lease?
Parents and other adults who want to help a minor rent an apartment should be aware of the risks of co-signing a lease. Co-signers are responsible for paying rent for the entire term of the lease, as well as for the cost of repairing any damages.
What age can I rent an apartment?
The age of majority is considered 18 in most states and increased in Alabama, Nebraska, and Mississippi. For those who are underage, other means allow persons aged 16 – 17 to get an apartment, such as emancipation, marriage, military service, as well as co-signing. For those trying to rent an apartment at 16 – 17, the process will be more intricate.
How old do you have to be to get a rental?
While there are resources available for young renters, such as housing authorities, nonprofit organizations, and government bodies in varying states and areas, most housing programs are restricted to those aged 18 or above.
Why do adult landlords have to honor contracts?
This primarily happens because the adult has the legal freedom to enter into binding contracts and leases with the obligation to honor it, plus the addition of rights for the tenant, as well as the fact that many of the deterrents for landlords may be dealt with through this process.
How old do you have to be to sign an apartment lease?
This dictates that you must be at least 18 years old or above, and 19 years old if you live in Alabama or Nebraska.
How old do you have to be to sign a lease?
Most states in the US dictate the age of the majority as 18 years old in terms of the freedom to sign a lease.
What is the age of majority?
The age of majority describes the point where an individual converts into an adult in the eyes of the law, hence otherwise known as the “legal age of adulthood.”
Can a 17 year old rent an apartment?
That being said, some landlords may allow a 17-year-old to rent an apartment with the inclusion of parental consent, which is common for situations whereby the minor is perhaps moving away for college.
Can You Rent an Apartment at 16?
As mentioned previously, most people want to move out of their parent’s homes when they’ve matured. This is often age 19 or older, sometimes into one’s mid-twenties.
The Rules Regarding the Signing of Contracts by Minors
While contracts signed by minors are not binding, there is a way to subvert this problem. If the landlord is willing to rent out an apartment to a minor, the landlord will need to ask for an adult’s signature.
The Age of Majority
The age of majority is considered the age people are able to make legally binding decisions. This age in most stages is 18. In some states, such as Mississippi, Nebraska, and Alabama, this age used to be lower but it has since been raised.
The Emancipation of a Minor
Becoming an emancipated minor can be difficult if you don’t have the required information. The rules for a minor to become emancipated also differ according to the state. However, the most common requirements to become emancipated include the proof of being able to live independently from one’s parents or guardians as well as the proof of income.
The Ways to Become Emancipated
There are various ways a minor can become emancipated. The most direct way is by obtaining permission from a legal court. Minors may also become emancipated by joining the military or getting married.
Renting an Apartment as a Minor
Can you rent an apartment at 16? By reading this article, you’ve found that the answer is “yes,” though it requires a bit of effort. You’ve learned how minors can rent an apartment through the support of a parent or guardian or through emancipation.
