How to get an apartment out of state without a job

Key takeaways

• A pay stub isn’t the only proof that works: bank statements, a credit report, other income, or a signed offer letter can all stand in for one.
• Paying several months of rent upfront, or placing it in escrow, goes a long way toward easing a landlord’s concerns.
• A cosigner or guarantor lets a landlord approve someone else’s income and credit instead of yours.
• An individual landlord or a roommate situation tends to bend the rules more than a property management company will.
• Being in the new city in person, apartment hunting and job hunting at the same time, usually beats waiting until you have an offer in hand.

Maybe you want to be closer to your family. Maybe you’ve graduated from school and know that a new city has the greatest potential for you to find a job in your chosen field. Or maybe you’re just ready for a change. There are many good reasons to move to a different city in a different state. But there’s one problem: how can you get an apartment out of state without a job?

That’s something you’ll need to tackle, especially if you’re looking for a great place to live! So, what steps can you take to ensure your greatest chance of landing your dream apartment, even if you don’t have secured employment?

The answer: quite a few. Keep reading for strategies you can deploy and preparations you can make ahead of your big move!

The following are strategies for how to get an apartment without a job, out-of-state move or not.

Research and save before you move

When making a potential move to a city you’ve never lived in before, get online and stay there for a minimum of several weeks (if possible). Research everything you can think of. What neighborhoods are the best for young professionals? Which ones are good for young families? Which are quieter and more affordable, or which are close to nightlife? Anything you learn beforehand, like weighing your housing options against your commute or budget, can be used to your advantage.

If you have friends living in the area, ask them all your questions. Get to understand the area like the back of your hand, as you’re going to want the most optimal living situation possible for your specific situation—especially considering that your move is going to be a cash burn until you can secure employment.

Tip: Start saving now. While you should always be saving when you can, in the course of your move research, make overhead an important factor in your final decision. If you do not have a job and are looking to move to a certain area, having a strong financial foundation will provide you with both flexibility and a safety net.

Make upfront deposits

Securing optimal housing in most areas is difficult enough under regular circumstances. Your potential landlord is likely going to want to run a credit check and review your last pay stub. Landlords use that paystub to confirm your income covers about three times the rent. No paystub means finding another way to prove the same thing. Allay some of their fears when you’re applying for apartments by paying rent upfront. If you explain your situation to your landlord, they might be willing to bend on standard background checks if, say, you were to offer 4 months of rent in advance. Some landlords will let you place that advance in an escrow account instead of handing it over as a lump sum, which can make the arrangement feel safer for both sides.

While this isn’t the “traditional” route, you’re playing into what every property manager and owner covets most: a guarantee. If you pay them upfront, they know they’re not losing money for a third of the year and that it’s likely you’re flush or driven enough to sort yourself out. This is an easy way to get an apartment out of state without a job.

Provide proof of good credit

For many landlords, good credit history is a golden ticket to rent an apartment, though a growing number skip the credit check altogether. If you’ve never missed a payment, have a fantastic reputation with previous landlords, and are also willing to pay a bit more upfront, it’s a safe bet that they’ll be willing to hear you out.

• Bank Statements: Print a few months of statements that show a healthy balance. It’s the fastest way to prove you can cover rent without a paycheck coming in.
• The Free Credit Report: Each person is allowed a free credit check every year from the 3 major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This means you can request a report so that you have it on hand when your landlord requests it.
• Speedy Responses: Remain extremely prompt throughout the application process, which will reinforce your reliability when renting an apartment.

If you have additional sources of income such as alimony, child support, legal awards, tax refunds, retirement or investment accounts, or property collateral, be prepared to show those to your potential landlord as well. A signed offer letter works too if you’re moving for a job that hasn’t started yet. It will all go towards building your profile as a trustworthy, honest, and reliable tenant.

Pro-Tip: Prepare as many of your documents that might be found on an application ahead of time. Make several printed copies, place them in folders, and take a walk around your potential locations ahead of time. Drop in, be ready to talk, and always be ready to fill out an application on the spot if necessary. Your potential landlord will appreciate your preparedness and urgency.

Since you’re out of state, if you can’t visit the property, stay as active on email and your phone—without pestering—as possible.

Consider a guarantor or co-signer

This is especially common for fresh post-graduates. You may have a short credit history from the tiny line you had in college, but probably no real credit to speak of.

No potential landlord will be overly keen to let a young college graduate without a job or established credit history into their apartment building. They will, however, be keen to let your parents or established family members into the fold. If you are in a position to ask your family to co-sign your lease, this can go a long way in appeasing concerns from conservative landlords.

If this is not possible, see if you can secure letters of recommendation from your current landlord that establish you as a good resident. You paid on time, never had any trouble, etc. Every bit helps when trying to give your application an edge, especially in competitive cities. A cosigner is often the quickest way to get an apartment without a job, since the landlord is really approving your parents’ income, not yours.

Look into different types of rentals

While neither a management company nor an individual will be enthusiastic to accept a tenant with no proof of current income, there’s still hope. When researching your living situation out of state, looking at less traditional options can be your way in.

• Hone in on rentals by an owner. Apply and talk to them ahead of time (if possible). Explain your situation, job history, and the steps you’re taking to secure employment in that state or city. While it’s unlikely, it’s not unheard of that someone may come around after a sincere bending of the ear.
• Look for people in search of a roommate. Sharing an apartment is always a cheaper option. Check out local Facebook groups of people in search of a tenant for that extra room in their home or apartment.
• Consider a furnished apartment. Options like those offered by Blueground let you settle in without signing a full lease right away.

How Blueground can help you get an apartment out of state without a job

With the flexibility of a temporary furnished apartment, you’ll have an easier time landing a permanent apartment because you’ll be there to walk the premises, meet the property manager(s), and get to know them in person.

With Blueground, you’ll have all the opportunities that come from:

• A stress-free transition
• The chance to meet the property and landlord in person before you sign
• A comfortable living environment stocked with homecare essentials, including comfy furniture, cleaning supplies, high-speed WiFi, and award-winning mattresses—plus linens and on-site laundry

Lastly, as many renters know, good decisions aren’t usually made in a hurry. The “hidden gems” of the real estate market arise on a whim; the opportunity is present for but a second, and you need to act fast. If you don’t need to have a place locked in prior to you actually arriving in the new city, then you’ll have more flexibility in the choice you make, ultimately finding the best housing solution possible.

Every Blueground home is vetted and professionally managed, so you’re not gambling on a stranger’s spare room sight unseen. Booking one takes a few steps: search live listings, book online with an instant contract, schedule your digital check-in, and move in already set up, welcome gift included. It’s the same standard in about 100 cities, with 24/7 support through the Guest App once you’re in. Moving to a different city, let alone a different state, is one of the most challenging things you can do. Make it easier on yourself with Blueground. Ready to make a big move? Find your apartment →

FAQs

Will landlords accept unemployment benefits or severance pay as proof of income? 

Many will, especially if the deposits are regular and there’s a clear end date attached to them. It’s not universal, though; some landlords only count W-2 income, so it’s worth asking directly before you apply instead of assuming it counts.

How long does it typically take to get approved without a job? 

Longer than a standard application, since landlords often need extra time to verify alternate income or a cosigner. Build in a few extra days of buffer, especially if you’re applying from out of state and can’t follow up in person.

Should I mention I don’t have a job yet, or wait until a landlord asks? 

Bring it up early. Landlords tend to trust applicants who are upfront about their situation more than ones who let it surface during a background check, and it gives you room to offer a solution, like an upfront deposit or a cosigner, before they’ve already decided no.

What happens if I get turned down for an apartment because I’m unemployed? 

Ask exactly why. It’s often one fixable issue, like a missing document or a low rent-to-income ratio, rather than a blanket no. A short-term furnished rental can also buy you time to reapply with a stronger application instead of scrambling for the next available lease.

How far in advance should I start looking if I don’t have a job lined up? 

Earlier than you would with an offer letter in hand. Gathering alternate proof of income or lining up a cosigner takes time that a typical renter doesn’t need to spend, so give yourself extra runway before your move-in date.