You may have had financial troubles, but bad credit doesn't have to keep you from finding rental accommodations.

The best way to establish good credit and repair bad credit is to pay off debts and get a receipt or a letter from the landlord to confirm your rent payments. When applying for accommodations, bring this confirmation as proof. Being honest and up front with prospective landlords could make them favour your rental application, regardless of past credit difficulties. Knowing that you pay your rent on time is becoming more important to landlords than credit in other areas. Use a recent landlord as personal reference, if required.

Help When Money Is Tight

There are many different programs available across the country to support and provide subsidized housing to qualified applicants. These programs vary from one municipality to another, so the best starting point is to contact your local municipal offices. Look in the blue pages of your local phone book for the phone number of your municipality.

Other Sources of Help

You may find help from community organizations, friends or family. Sometimes an understanding employer or landlord will be the best solution for a temporary setback.

Community and religious organizations may provide help if you cannot make rent payments. Charity organizations can usually provide assistance in other areas, from food and clothing to secondhand goods and daycare, which may ease some of the financial pressure when making rent payments.

To find these organizations, ask friends and others you know in the local community. Even if you do not belong to a particular faith, often their community services are available to those in need. Charities such as the United Way can be located through the Yellow Pages telephone book and other resources can be found by calling local community and social services in the Blue Pages of your telephone book.

Some of these assistance programs also have specific requirements and waiting lists and the amount of assistance may be limited.

Depending on the relationship you have with your landlord, you could negotiate a partial rent payment in exchange for providing services, such as yard maintenance or painting. Such agreements work best for a short-term or one-time-only situation. Chronically missing part of your rent payment will not leave a good impression with your landlord and may lead to your landlord taking legal action against you.

Approaching family or friends for assistance is another possibility, even if you feel uncomfortable doing so. Also, consider discussing an advance in next month's pay with your employer.