having a job when you rent--required?

1st, last, and security. $$ talks.

It depends on the landlord. Many will take just first, last and security but some want you to be able to show that you can pay the rent either by having a job or being independently wealthy. I had one landlord (when I first got here) that I finally had to show her a bank statement to satisfy her that I had money to pay rent. I guess she'd been stiffed one too many times!

That is true. So many tenants are taking to court for collection. I remember waiting in court for someone I was trying to collect from for a car accident. While waiting for the lady who didn't show up, I listened to landlords disputes so to speak. One landlord lost some monies to one lady as their receipt system was faulty. The next month when my case was recalled, I sat there again listening to cases. Same lady is there with another landlord, crying the same tale. The judge looked up and said to her, wait a minute, you were here a month ago with the same story. Something is wrong here. You are habitual. Pay the man!! Since then all my receipts spell out everything. Tenants always seem to get the upper hand, even when they are wrong.

Generally those landlords who have been burned may require more.

I know many landlords require either a job or evidence of money in the bank. Too many folks move to the islands thinking they'll get a gig bartending or waiting tables or etcetera and then wind up bailing back to the states or moving in with friends after a few months of bouncing around. Generally the higher the rent, the more a landlord will want, including longer lease terms too.

we take renters if the sign a one year lease and provide first, last and one month security on our smaller apartments

I will only rent the 1 bdrm. apt. in my home as an unfurnished unit with a 1 yr. lease and local references - I have had tenants who have stayed for years doing it this way - it sits empty right now for the last few months and despite the loss of revenue this causes, getting a stable tenant is far more important overall. I have always felt if you can move in tomorrow with your suitcase it is just as easy to move out whenever your situation changes, whether it is your job, relationship status, seasonal hiatus or other 'as the island turns' circumstances.
I still see some of my former tenants around STT now and then and am always glad to catch up on what is going on in our lives -- far better than seeing them in Court as Ronnie describes. It is a small island and there are plenty of good tenants and good landlords but STT has a component of transiency with new arrivals all the time - many of the apts. available are a single unit that is part of our owner occupied private residences and sharing our space and private lives with a tenant affects both of us and our quality of life.
Apts in a multi unit location, furnished and not owner occupied may ask for less personal info and rely more on the 1st, last and security $$ as a vested sign of responsibility.

Most landlords, I know, give preference to those tenants that already have jobs, in addition, to payment for first, last and security, unless they are specifically set up for shorter term, weekly or 1-2 month rentals. They, too, require advance payment and security deposits.

My wife's aunt rents old school. She isn't interested in leases, credit histories, references, job, first last and security or none of that stuff. She's all about show me the money. You show up with the first months rent, you pretty much will get the apartment.

Not the way to do business nor safeguard yours nor your tenants rights and issues.

Not the way to do business nor safeguard yours nor your tenants rights and issues.

Yes, but she has been doing business that way for the past 40 something years and see's no need to change it. The apartments I rented back in the 70's 3 total were all first month and security deposit, no lease. I'm not sure I would rent apartments today the same way she does since it's so easy to verify a persons character especially if I still owed money on the rental. I prefer month to month rather than leases, also I think she knows trying to rent a 3 bedroom 2 bath is getting more difficult due to people are looking for smaller places and cheaper rent and once you add up $1800.00 first month, $1800.00 last month and then say $500.00 security your asking someone in this economy with limited resources to kick out over $4000.00 to move in. Even though she isn't asking for all the stuff most landlords are requiring these days, her apartment has still been vacant since July.

When we first came to STX, we had income, but no jobs. We saw a for rent sign on the road, stopped and spoke to the property owner, had lunch with him and by the next day we had an apartment. This may not be the norm, may not be advisable, but can be done.

Also, if you have the means, offer three months rent in advance if you find an apartment and the landlord is a stickler about having a job.