Your first apartment as a new arrival in the U.S.

Arriving in a new country and looking for a place to live at the same time is a lot. This guide is for you if you arrived recently, with paroleparole (immigration)In immigration, parole is permission to enter or stay in the United States temporarily. Federal law, 8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5), lets the Secretary of Homeland Security grant it at their discretion, case by case, for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. The law says parole is not an admission to the country. When its purpose has been served, the person returns to the situation they were in and their case continues like that of any other applicant for admission. Under the regulation, parole ends automatically if the person leaves the country or the authorized time expires.See the full definitionClose, an asylum application, TPSTPS (Temporary Protected Status)Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a status created by a federal law, 8 U.S.C. 1254a. The government may designate a country, or part of one, when there is armed conflict, an environmental disaster or other extraordinary and temporary conditions that keep people from returning safely. The designation is published in the Federal Register and lasts a limited period that can be extended or ended. While a person has TPS, the law says they may not be removed and are authorized to work. Being from a designated country is not enough: the law sets other requirements.See the full definitionClose or another situation, and are looking for your first apartment. It explains what a landlord checks, which documents you may be asked for and which ones you can offer, what the law protects and where to get help without paying anyone.

To ask for a free copy of the report used to turn you down

60 days²

To file a discrimination complaint with HUD

1 year¹²

To file a discrimination lawsuit in court

2 years¹³

Why renting is harder when you just arrived

To decide whether to rent to you, many landlords buy a tenant screeningtenant screening reportA tenant screening report is a report many landlords use to decide whether to rent to you and how much to charge for the security deposit. Specialty companies prepare it, and it can include your credit report, your rental history including eviction cases and lawsuits, employment verification, criminal history and a score or recommendation. It is not the same as a credit report. If a landlord denies you, or asks for a larger deposit or higher rent, because of the report, federal law requires the landlord to tell you, name the company and explain your right to a free copy and to dispute errors.See the full definitionClose report. According to the CFPB, that report can include your credit, your rental history (with evictions and lawsuits), verification of your job and your criminal history. The landlord uses it to decide whether to rent to you and how much to charge for the deposit.¹

When you just arrived, that report comes back almost empty. It is not a bad report: it is a report with no history. The problem is that the landlord has nothing to compare you with. That is why it helps to arrive with proof of what you do have: your income, your savings and people who know you.

If you already have a Social Security number or an ITIN, you can start building credit now. Our guide to credit from zero explains the first steps, such as a secured card or a credit-builder loan.

The documents you may be asked for

Each landlord decides what to ask for. Most ask for ID, proof of income and a number to check your credit. This is what official sources say about the numbers asked for most:

• The Social Security number. Under the Social Security regulation, it is given to citizens, permanent residents, people with other legal authority to work and, only for nonwork reasons, some people who need it for a federal benefit.³ If you do not have one yet, do not make one up or use someone else’s.
• The work permitEmployment Authorization Document (EAD)The Employment Authorization Document (EAD, Form I-766) is a photo document issued by the federal government to show that a person is authorized to work in the United States. Federal regulations say some people may work because of their status and others must apply for permission; in those cases USCIS decides and, if approved, the document is valid for a specific period. The EAD is one of the documents an employer may accept on Form I-9. When it expires, the employer must reverify that you can work. It is not the same as a permanent resident card.See the full definitionClose (EAD). According to USCIS, certain noncitizens can request an Employment Authorization Document with Form I-765.⁴ For example, people with TPS can get one during the designation period.⁵ If you have an EAD, it is proof you can work, and many landlords accept it together with your passport. What applies to you depends on your case: ask a lawyer or an accredited representative.
• The ITIN. According to the IRS, it is a federal tax number for people who cannot get a Social Security number. An ITIN does not authorize you to work, does not give you immigration status and is not ID outside of taxes.⁶ Some landlords accept it to check credit; ask first.

Our guide What documents to share with lenders and landlords explains what to give and what not to, and how to protect your data. And the one on renting without a Social Security number or credit goes into detail on the alternatives.

What you may be asked for and what you can offer

The landlord decides

What landlords usually ask for

• A photo ID
• A number to check your credit
• Proof of income or employment
• Rental history and references from past landlords

Ask whether they accept it

What you can offer if you have no history

• Your passport and your work permit, if you have one
• A job letter, pay stubs or a job offer
• Statements that show your savings
• Reference letters from an employer, a sponsor or an organization that helps you

Bring copies, not originals, and do not hand over immigration papers you were not asked for.

If you are asked for a cosigner or a bigger deposit

When you have no history, the landlord may ask for a cosignerco-signerA co-signer is a person who signs another person's loan or credit account to back it up, and by doing so becomes responsible for the debt. If the borrower does not pay, the creditor can collect up to the full debt from the co-signer, plus late fees or collection costs, without first trying to collect from the borrower, and the default may become part of the co-signer's credit record. A federal FTC rule calls for the co-signer to get a written notice explaining these risks before signing. On a mortgage, according to Fannie Mae, a co-signer signs the note and shares liability for the debt with the borrower but has no ownership interest in the home on the title.See the full definitionClose, meaning another person who signs and pays if you do not. It may also ask for a bigger deposit. Before you ask someone to sign for you, read our guide on the risks of cosigning: it explains what that person is risking.

There is an important rule. According to the FTC, if the landlord makes a negative decision because of something in your background report, that is an adverse action. Requiring a cosigner, asking for a bigger security deposit or charging more rent all count. In that case you are entitled to an adverse action noticeadverse action noticeAn adverse action notice is the notice you get when a company denies you credit or takes another action against you on your application or account. Under federal law, the lender must give you the main reasons or tell you how to ask for them. If the decision was based on a credit report or another consumer report, the company must also give you the score that was used, the name and contact information of the company that supplied the report, and explain your right to a free copy of that report and to dispute errors. The reporting company did not make the decision and cannot tell you why it was made.See the full definitionClose with the name, address and phone number of the report company. The company must give you a free copy if you ask within 60 days, and if you find a mistake, it must investigate your dispute within 30 days.²

The CFPB says the same: if you were denied housing because of a report, the landlord must tell you, give you the company’s details and explain your right to dispute it.¹ Always ask for the notice in writing. Our security deposit guide explains how much can be charged in your state and how to get it back.

Example with real numbers

An application with no U.S. history

An example in words, not a real case, of how the application can be put together.

U.S. credit

None yet

U.S. rental history

None yet

What she offers

Passport, work permit, job letter and savings statements

What the landlord asks for

A cosigner because of what came up in the report

What she asks for in return

The adverse action notice in writing and the free copy of the report

What she decides

Get the report, check it for mistakes and find someone she trusts who understands the risk of signing

The rules in the example come from the FTC.² Use the calculator to see how much rent your income can cover before you fill out applications.

Run it with your numbersHow much rent can I afford?

Your rights: no one can turn you down for your national origin

The Fair Housing ActFair Housing ActThe Fair Housing Act is the federal law that makes it illegal to refuse to sell or rent a dwelling, or to discriminate in its terms, because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status (having children), national origin or disability. It applies to landlords, real estate agents and managers, and also to banks and lenders when their practices make housing or credit unavailable for those reasons. National origin covers your language and the country you come from, regardless of immigration status. If you believe you were discriminated against, you can file a complaint with HUD at no cost; many states add protections.See the full definitionClose makes it unlawful for a landlord, because of your national originnational originNational origin is one of the characteristics the Fair Housing Act protects. According to the Department of Justice, national origin discrimination can be based on the country where you were born or where your ancestors came from. The law prohibits refusing to sell or rent you a home, setting different terms or publishing ads that state a preference based on your national origin. According to the CFPB, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act also prohibits lenders from discriminating against you because of your national origin when you apply for credit, such as a mortgage.See the full definitionClose, to refuse to rent or negotiate with you, set different conditions for you, publish ads that exclude people from certain countries or tell you a place is not available when it is.⁷ According to HUD, the law applies to nearly all housing, including private housing, public housing and housing that receives federal funding.⁹

The Department of Justice explains that national origin discrimination can be based on the country where you were born or on where your ancestors came from, and that the Department has taken action against private landlords who discriminated against new immigrants.⁸

What about language? In its enforcement guidance on limited English proficiency, HUD says language, by itself, is not a protected trait and that the law does not categorically require translation services. HUD prioritizes cases where language was used as a pretext or a means to discriminate on purpose because of national origin. And it makes clear this does not change your right to sue in court within two years.¹⁰ In practice: if a landlord says “we don’t rent to people from your country” or uses your accent as an excuse to turn you down, write down what happened, with dates and names.

Your immigration status is a separate matter. Some states and cities protect it in addition to federal law. Our guide Your immigration status and your landlord explains what a landlord may ask and what to do if you are threatened.

How and when to report

According to HUD, you can report housing discrimination online, by calling 1-800-669-9777 or by mail to the regional office. There are time limits, and HUD asks you to report as soon as possible.¹¹ By law, you have up to one year after what happened to file a complaint with HUD¹², and up to 2 years to file a lawsuit in federal or state court.¹³ Our guide Housing discrimination: how to file a complaint walks through the process.

From the search to the keys

1. 1. Work out what you can pay

   Before you search

   Add up your income and your expenses, so you do not pay application fees for places you cannot afford.

   Try it with your numbersHow much rent can I afford?

2. 2. Gather your documents

   Before you visit

   ID, work permit if you have one, proof of income, savings and references.¹

3. 3. Visit the place in person

   Always

   Do not pay anything for a place you have not seen; get a copy of the contract before the deposit.¹⁴

4. 4. Apply and ask what they check

   When you apply

   Ask which company does the report and which documents they accept if you have no Social Security number.¹

5. 5. If you are turned down or asked for more

   In the next 60 days

   Ask for the notice in writing and the free copy of the report; dispute any mistakes.²

6. 6. Read the lease before you sign

   Before the keys

   Check the rent, the deposit, how long it lasts and who makes repairs.

Scams that target people who just arrived

People who just arrived are in a hurry, do not know local prices and sometimes cannot see the place first. Scammers know this. According to the FTC, the fake owner may tell you the only way to hold the place is a wire transfer through Western Union or MoneyGram, and usually says they are out of the country. Wiring money, sending gift cards or paying with cryptocurrency is the same as sending cash: you almost never get it back. If anyone pressures you to decide quickly, walk away. Get a copy of the contract before you send any deposit, and report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.¹⁴ Our guide How to avoid rental scams shows more warning signs.

Another trap is the person who offers to “fix” your papers for money. USCIS warns that some unauthorized practitioners claim they can file TPS forms and charge for it.⁵ EOIR says notarios, document preparers, immigration consultants and travel agents are not allowed to practice law or give you legal advice.¹⁵ Our guide Notario is not a lawyer explains why.

If this is you

You have no U.S. credit or rental history

Offer proof of income, savings statements and references; the report comes back empty, not bad.¹

You have an ITIN but no Social Security number

An ITIN is for taxes and does not authorize work; ask whether the landlord accepts it to check credit.⁶

You are asked for a cosigner

If it is because of your report, you must get an adverse action notice, and you can ask for the free copy within 60 days.²

You are turned down for your country or your accent

The law bans discrimination by national origin; write it all down and report it to HUD within one year.¹²

You are asked to wire money without seeing the place

That is the scam sign the FTC describes: do not pay, and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.¹⁴

Where to get free help

You do not have to figure this out alone, or pay anyone for “connections.”

• For your immigration case. Go to a lawyer or an accredited representative. EOIR publishes the official rosters of recognized organizations and accredited representatives, also by state.¹⁶
• For a problem with your landlord or an eviction. LSC has a free legal aid finder: you enter your address or city.¹⁷ Our free legal aid guide explains who qualifies.
• If you have nowhere to sleep. Dial 211. Our guide to emergency shelter and rapid rehousing explains how to reach help in your area.
• To understand your lease. Our guide Your lease explained goes through each part before you sign.

Mistakes that cost you

• Mistake: Paying several application fees without asking what they check.

  Instead: Ask first which company does the report and which documents they accept if you have no Social Security number.¹

• Mistake: Using someone else's Social Security number.

  Instead: Numbers are issued based on your situation; if you do not have one, ask about other ways to review your application.³

• Mistake: Accepting a cosigner requirement without asking for the notice.

  Instead: If it is because of your report, ask for the adverse action notice and the free copy of the report.²

• Mistake: Wiring money to hold a place you have not seen.

  Instead: Visit it, get the contract before the deposit and report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.¹⁴

• Mistake: Paying a notario or a consultant to handle your papers.

  Instead: Only a lawyer or an accredited representative can give you legal advice.¹⁵

• Mistake: Letting time pass after unfair treatment.

  Instead: You have 1 year to complain to HUD; write down dates and names from day one.¹²

What to do this week

1. Gather copies of your ID, your work permit if you have one, your proof of income and your bank statements.¹
2. Ask two or three people who know you for reference letters.
3. Before paying an application fee, ask what they check and what they accept if you have no Social Security number.¹
4. If you are turned down or asked for a bigger deposit because of your report, ask for the notice in writing and the free copy within 60 days.²
5. If you think you were discriminated against because of your national origin, call HUD at 1-800-669-9777.¹¹
6. For your immigration case, find an accredited representative on EOIR’s official roster.¹⁶