Hi all,
Really looking for some advice from fellow Brits who have made the move to NYC and who have some idea of how the rental market works (seems to be so tough compared to the UK).
I'm joining my American fiance in the city in early January to network, job hunt, and find a studio or one bedroom apartment to start setting up our life together there. The problem with this plan is we're in our mid-twenties, and have spent most of our 'working years' in further education (both have BAs and MAs in the arts from good universities) and then travelling the world together. Doing these things allowed us to be in the same countries as each other and make sure we were ready for the big marriage step - which we're taking in the summer if all goes well with my currently-processing fiancee visa. However, our nomadic lifestyle apparently hasn't left us in the best position for renting in New York.
When I look at websites and see the following paperwork requirements listed for potential tenants in NYC, our position seems pretty hopeless:
"When you’ve found the right apartment, you don’t have time to lose. Have the following in hand: the first two pages of your tax returns from the previous two years; a completed financial statement detailing your assets, liabilities, and income; references from previous landlords and possibly your employer; and certified checks in increments of $500. In New York City's nutty real estate market, dream apartments have been snatched away before!"
Apparently the landlords also like to do a credit check - but neither of us have ever had credit cards...
We're in the fortunate position of having a good cushion of money we earnt in Australia (could afford to pay rent and bills in NYC for a year together without working). We're also presentable, pleasant people! Is it entirely naive to hope that a landlord would waive some of these paperwork requirements if we can show bank statements with the money we have at our disposal, and come across as decent, conscientious people who will look after their apartment? Has anyone rented in NYC? Any advice is much-appreciated!
Kate
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