I need help with my rent so I don’t get an eviction in Charleston SC

I need help with my rent so i don’t get an eviction.
I live Charleston SC i will be starting a new job in two weeks. Can you PLEASE HELP ME i don’t want to lose this job. i have be looking for long time for a job And now i have one.

Carolyn
Charleston SC
843-276-XXXX

Dear Carolyn,

You may need to talk with your landlord to explain your situation. I know that this can be an intimidating process, but your landlord may be open to an alternate arrangement that allows you a bit of flexibility on this month’s rent.

What landlords do not want is excuses or false promises. It is true that your landlord will be disappointed. There may be a late fee. They may be upset. It is possible that your landlord is also struggling to pay all of the bills, which could put them in a bind as well.

Still, if they evict you, then there would likely be turnover in your apartment which could cause an interruption in rent collection anyways. Getting all of your rent 2-4 weeks late is preferred to losing rent permanently due to an eviction.

If you choose to share your situation with your landlord, then make sure that you bring proof of your new job for them to see. An offer letter from your new employer can give them reassurance that you are not just trying to delay the inevitable.

Since you will be restoring your income, then a low cost rental loan could be an option for you. You just have to make sure that your interest rate is reasonable. Credit unions and community banks tend to charge around 10-18% APR. Consumer finance companies in Charleston tend to charge closer to 30%. There are worse lenders available too, so you must stay away from those predatory loan companies (title loans, payday loans) that are so popular and legal in South Carolina.

As a Charleston resident, you would qualify for membership with South Carolina Federal Credit Union. Since the institution is nonprofit, you can expect to pay lower loan rates for unsecured personal loans and lines of credit, both of which can be used for rental loan purposes.

CPM Federal Credit Union also offers low rates on unsecured personal loan products.  You must be a resident in certain areas of Charleston County or other approved areas in order to be eligible to join.

There are some area loan companies that may advertise that they help out in these types of situations, but they are generally a bad idea. They specialize in lending to desperate residents and charge a hefty fee that is much higher than a reputable credit union or community bank.

Other than rental loans, there are relief organizations that could also help, although you must understand that they generally limit services to very low income households. For example, Tricounty Family Ministries provides the Families in Transition Program to help tenants get through short-term economic hardship by helping them with safe housing.  Just call 843-747-1788 to speak with a case manager to find out about qualifications and benefits.

The Salvation Army provides emergency shelter, but it is generally limited to situations where an emergency has occurred. Charleston County Human Services on the other hand has an expanded budget that allows for rent payments to be covered in some situations where an eviction is imminent. You would need to bring an eviction notice to your appointment. Call 843-724-6760 to schedule your appointment. Veterans may call 843-723-9477 to receive rental assistance through Crisis Ministries.

As you can see, there are many resources, but your situation will dictate which ones you will qualify for as well as what your preferred options will be.