The Challenge
The average US landlord requires: proof of income (3x the monthly rent), US credit score, SSN, previous landlord references, and a security deposit (1-2 months). Foreigners arriving without any of these face an obstacle course.
Main Platforms
- Zillow — biggest site; rentals + purchases
- Apartments.com — dedicated apartment search
- StreetEasy — NYC specific, best in class
- Trulia — similar to Zillow
- Craigslist — still used, scam-prone but fast
- Facebook Marketplace — direct landlord listings
- Airbnb (30+ days) — short-term while searching
- Furnished Finder — originally for travel nurses, now broader
Required Documents
- Passport or ID
- Proof of employment or income
- Bank statements (3-6 months)
- References from previous landlords
- US credit report or equivalent
- SSN or ITIN (often requested, not always legally required)
The Credit Problem
The US credit system (FICO score) takes 3-6 months to build and is needed to rent most apartments. New arrivals have no score, which landlords treat like a red flag. Options:
- Use Nova Credit — translates your home country's credit history to the US equivalent. Accepted by many landlords.
- Offer 3-6 months rent upfront — most landlords accept this
- Find a US co-signer / guarantor — family, friends, employer
- Use a guarantor service — Insurent or The Guarantors (pay 75-110% of a month's rent as a fee)
Workarounds
- Sublet — take over someone else's lease for 1-6 months
- Corporate housing — furnished, short-term, no credit needed. Expensive.
- Co-living — Common, Outsite, SpareRoom — turnkey, community-focused
- Room rental — cheaper, faster approval from individual owners
- Relocation services — Anyplace, Nomad Pass — short-term furnished
Short-Term Options
Most new arrivals start with an Airbnb or corporate apartment for 1-2 months while searching for permanent housing. Budget $2,500-5,000 for this first month depending on city.
Lease Basics
- Security deposit: 1-2 months (limits vary by state)
- First month's rent: Due at signing
- Broker fee: 10-15% of annual rent in NYC only; rare elsewhere
- Lease length: Usually 12 months; 6-month and month-to-month exist
- Utilities: Sometimes included, often not
- Pet fees: $200-500 deposit + $25-75/month
- Renters insurance: Often required, $15-25/month
By City
- NYC — hardest. Broker fees, 40x income rule, StreetEasy. Start with a sublet.
- LA — easier but spread out. Need a car to search. Zillow works.
- SF — expensive and competitive but straightforward process
- Chicago — easier and cheaper than coastal cities
- Miami — fast-paced, lots of short-term rentals
- Austin — fastest-moving market, call immediately after listing