Can a Person From Out of State Cosign an Apartment?

Leasing an apartment can be a time-intensive proposition, particularly in situations where landlords require a variety of supporting information to ensure that you, the future tenant, do not pose a legitimate financial risk. Following employment verification, credit checks and reference evaluations, a landlord may still require that the tenant find a co-signer to support their application. Generally, this person has a more reputable financial history and acts to support an otherwise weak leasing application. In the event that the co-signer is located out of state, the landlord may choose not to allow them to attach their name to the application.

As mentioned previously, the role of the co-signer is to act as a second funding source in the event that the primary applicant is unable to meet the terms of their leasing obligation. Applicants who meet or exceed the financial standards established by the landlord will not be required to find a co-signer. Those who do not, however, will most likely be forced to use co-signer or withdraw their application.

The individual who chooses to co-sign on the leasing application assumes a variety of risks and responsibilities. In the event that the primary applicant is unable to meet the terms of the loan, it will become the duty of the co-signer to pay the rest of these financial obligations. Failure to do so could negatively impact the credit score of the co-signer, even though they never actually lived in the property in question. Simply put, all of the duties assigned to the original application will be transferred to the co-signer if the original tenant is unable to fulfill them.

Because of the fact that the co-signer will carry the burden of the lease, many landlords require that these individuals reside in the same state as the primary applicant. Debt collection could be significantly more complex in situations where the co-signer is not located in the same state as the primary applicant. These logistical factors will commonly persuade landlords to implement an in-state requirement for these individuals.

That being said, this is not always the case. Given the fact that this requirement is discretionary, specific policies referring to co-signers and their current place of residence is entirely left to the landlord.

As a loan co-signer and landlord alike, the best way to avoid a potentially negative situation is to remain in close contact with one another. For example, a loan co-signer may ask that the landlord contact them in the event that the tenant is late on rent or fails to pay entirely. Tactics such as these will help minimize the overall risk of the primary tenant forfeiting their contractual requirement and passing them on to the co-signer.

Although a co-signer may feel some form of obligation to support a close associated with their application, it is important to remember that this should be the most objective decision possible. Acting as a co-signer carries serious financial obligations and potential consequences. If the original applicant has not displayed the degree of financial responsibility needed to inspire the necessary confidence, co-signing is not advised.