With the credit crisis hitting the US with full force and a record number of foreclosures damaging people’s long term credit health, more and more people are now searching for places to live with poor or even terrible credit. Luckily, having terrible credit doesn’t mean that you are doomed to never rent again. Here are some options available to apartment hunters who have poor credit ratings.

First, not every apartment application you fill out will run your credit. If you’re afraid to rent from a corporate run apartment complex or building, you can always look to rent from individuals. Renting out of a home is very common in large cities with big suburban populations. It may seem a bit odd to live in the same private home as other people, but it sure beats not being able to find a place at all.

Subletting is another option available to most people who wish to bypass the typical credit check that comes with corporate renting. Often times when you sublet, you only sign a contract or lease with the person you are subletting from, not from the building managers who run the building you live in. Rules vary from state to state, so make sure you aren’t breaking any laws by subletting in your area.

Finally, you can always ask if the building or apartment complex you want to apply to runs credit or not. These days, fewer and fewer places actually bother with running credit since so many people come up short on a regular basis.

One of the rituals of apartment hunting that we all go through is we take a look at an apartment or two that is a bit out of our reach financially just so we can see what a really nice place is like in hopes that we can live there once we start earning more money, but what if even the most basic apartment is simply out of reach on your own? Here are a few tips for folks who wish to live on their own but may not be able to afford it.

Tens of thousands of adults from coast to coast have roommates, and there are entire online communities where you can meet people with similar interests to match up with so that you can find someone who you will get along with. The idea of living with a complete stranger is a bit odd to some people, however, as long as there is honest communication on both sides and both parties involved are mature about handing any problems that arise, having a roommate is no big deal.

Some cities offer apartment complexes that are rent controlled. Ask any resident of Manhattan about rent control and they will gladly tell you it is the only way they are able to live in the city. Call the local housing office in your city for a list of rent controlled apartments that you might qualify to live in. They can be the difference between living at home with your parents and living on your own.

When you arrive for the first time on the doorstep of what could possibly be your home for the next year, the office manager at the apartment complex is going to do everything he or she can to sell you this property. They will gush about the units, crow about the amenities and rave about the location. It is up to you to ask questions and look for things that might reveal that this place isn’t all its cracked up to be. Here are a few key things to look for when you are touring your next apartment complex or building.

Maintenance is absolutely the most important part of your new apartment complex. Ensuring that things get fixed in a timely manner is very much connected to the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of the place you live, so if you’re driving around or walking to an empty suite and you notice garbage on the ground, burnt out light bulbs and a general feeling that the place is unkempt, you probably want to keep looking.

The same goes for when you get inside your unit. Don’t just look for how clean the empty suite is, but also at the quality of the paint, carpet, the state of the fixtures and everything else. If something seems out of place, ask and then you can judge the quality of the answers. Remember, once you sign a lease, you belong to that apartment and that apartment complex. This is your only chance to ask tough questions.