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Stripping and Rent
I want to get a new apartment for about 1,000 a month and I think if I work (strip) for 5-6 nights a week I will be ok with the rent money, my question is, When i go in to rent and they ask me where is my income coming from will they let me have the apt as a exotic dancer? What do the rest of ya'll say (if thats your only job) and do they accept?
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Re: Stripping and Rent
it depends on the apartment/ landlord's decision. many more professional apt communities will ask for paystubs... some will require at least a note from your club (most will vouche for you), and others are cool with under the table workers and understand its a way of life, but to find these you typically have to go with a private landlord or an apt community that seems to cater to college kids.
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Re: Stripping and Rent
ive been turned away from some places for being a dancer, however when i show bank statements and a note from my manager abot how long i have been working there, things seem to go over ok
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Re: Stripping and Rent
Some landlords ask for an extra months rent upfront as security if you cant come up with evidence (or dont want to) of where you work. They seem to be happy with that.
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Re: Stripping and Rent
I say it's probably best to prepare your paperwork in advance -- get notes, bank statements or tax paperwork, etc, and if you list your profession as "independent contractor" and note that your income is from tips which provide a consistent amount of over $___ per month, you should probably be all right.
My partners and I got the current place by being very up-front. Partner A works in a part-time job that pays well; Partner B is a freelance writer, and I'm a student who at the time was living off donations from my parents. I listed the amount I got monthly and stated that it was from my parents, and Partner B offered his tax paperwork as proof of income. It all pretty much hung together well enough for them to let us have the place. Sometimes people will want you to make an extra deposit if your income is not constant.
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Re: Stripping and Rent
When I filled out my apartment application, I put entertainer down for my job and I put the club I danced at. They called my club to verify that I worked there, but I worked at a small club and they didn't mind. My landlord didn't have any problems with my job. But, I heard some landlords aren't very open minded and don't want to rent to dancers. They think we will be having loud parties at all hours of the night, LOL. I would talk to the landlord first and get a feel for what he or she is like. :)
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Re: Stripping and Rent
say you're self-employed- no paycheck stubs there. if you have good references use them! you could offer to have a parent or other family member be the guarantor for you. this means that if you are unable to pay rent, the landlord can go after them. i would work out a separate agreement (signed, in writing & notarized) w this family member so they feel they have some sort of legal protection.
this was kinda tricky but when i was trying to get a place (shared, not my own, but super cheap!) i used my counselor from the program i was in (for homeless kids) as a reference. and no, she didnt say what was really going on.
i am assuming this is your first apt. here's some advice: make sure EVERYTHING is in writing. if they tell you utilities included, but it's not on the lease, make them put it there. also, before you move in, make a list of any defects or damages and take pictures of the entire place. have both you and the landlord sign stating that both of you are aware of the conditions of the place upon moving in.
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Re: Stripping and Rent
some landlords may be so desparate to find a renter, he or she may not even ask or be too concerned what the person does for a living.. a friend of mine who also is a dancer got this really nice condo, and the guy basically got her soc.., a few places she had lived before and some references and she was in... it just depends on who your dealing with....
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Re: Stripping and Rent
I don't have any info on the landlord situation...
But, I did want to say that you should make sure that if you, for some reason, COULD NOT work 5-6 nights a week, that you could afford the apartment and the bills that come along with living there. What is included in the rent? Some places, you are responsible for the heat/cooling, gas, phone, electric, and so on. Others, you will just be responsible for the electric and phone. So, find out what your responsibilities are. Also, ask the landlord what the "average" monthly utility bills are. They should be able to give you an estimate...or you can ask one of the tenants.
I've made the mistake of being able to "afford" the rent, but having to crunch so much on everything else that it was so stressful living at the apartment. It's better to go with a place that is 1/2 the price (if it's in a good neighborhood) but smaller and know that you can easily afford the bills. Have a rent that you can easily afford, with bills that will be paid on time and food in your fridge along with being able to put a good chunck of money away each month. Since you work at a job that is not "predictable" in earnings, it is very important that you work up to having at LEAST 6 months worth of living expenses saved up (that includes your rent, utilities, food, plus whatever other monthly bills you have). That way, if you have a bad week/month, or if you get sick/etc...you have some cushion and won't be stressed out for money.
Also, try working 5-6 nights a week from now until you move. Can you do this consistently? Or are you going to need to do 5-6 nights one week and adjust the next week, and so on? Don't ever make financial plans based upon what you THINK you can do. ;)
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Re: Stripping and Rent
Saving up some money first as Venus described is important, in this business there is no fallback if something happens and you can't work for a while. It's really important to be prepared for such times as they WILL happen!
As for renting an apartment, it's different up here in Canada, especially Quebec. Landlords aren't allowed to ask for anything more than the first month's rent when signing a lease (no security deposits or last months rent to pay up) so they can be very weary of renting to someone without a regular job. I've never had any problems finding an apartment though :D Money talks very well, lol!
They weren't allowed to ask for it but I offered it because I didn't work a regular job, I knew it would be near impossible to rent otherwise. I simply said I was a dancer and that I made good money, unfortunately there wasn't anything they could do to verify it so I offered them 2 full months prepaid rent on top of the first month. Should I ever be late on my rent they had the money in hand to cover it and if I was never late I could use them up later in my lease which would come in handy.
Make sure everything is in writing and good luck,
Pixie
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Re: Stripping and Rent
Cash does wonders. Walk in with 3g and tell them you can pay first, last, and security deposit up front.
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Re: Stripping and Rent
^ And, make sure that you get a receipt showing exactly how much you gave the landlord and what it was for (first and last months + security) or whatever. It would also help if it's recorded on the lease.
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Re: Stripping and Rent
^^^^ All of Venus's advice was great.. You really need to be able to afford A LOT more than rent, remeber all the bills, food and a way of life. Save up A LOT before you move in, I did this and when my club got raided and went under, I was still able to afford a few more months rent before I found a new club that would pay. Be prepared if you are taking on something that is far more expensive than what you are living in now.
Good luck!