You asked: "What credit score do I need?"

Your name: Unknown
Subject: Credit Score
Message: What credit score is required to rent in Manhattan?  Brooklyn?

Hi unknown,

If only there were such a specific magical number I could tell you. Different companies that run your credit report will come up with different answers on you. First pay for your individual credit reports from equifax, transunion and experian. They should have slightly varying scores on you because different things get reported to different companies, but hopefully relatively in the same range. You will need a score depending on the company in the "good" and above range. If you are in the "fair" range you will have to do some work to find landlords that are more lenient.

Landlords are landlords and they are all going to want to see solid credit, regardless of Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens.  If you have questionable credit because of something small that you can't get expunged from your credit report then I do suggest looking at the smaller companies because landlords are people too and they will listen. But you will need a very solid application, in terms of income and money in the bank. They could ask for a few months extra upfront because of your situation, it is standard.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WITH FAIR CREDIT AND A SOLID APPLICATION AND YOU WANT TO USE THE BIGGER MGMT COMPANIES FOR A PLACE, PLEASE CHECK OUT INSURENT.COM. THEY WILL ACT AS YOUR CO-GUARANTOR/CO-SIGNER AND YOU WON'T HAVE TO COME UP WITH MORE MONEY UPFRONT.

I am a huge fan of Insurent.com as you see from my site and it is because it such an amazing and unique opportunity that has come about for all you new NYC people.  Last year Insurent did not exist and they are working with the huge companies like Rose Associates, Stonehenge, Glenwood, Manhattan Skyline and others so you can rent there regardless of certain income requirements and credit requirements.

For more on credit issues click here.