A credit check is a standard part of an apartment contract application. A credit report will show any liens, evictions, wage garnishments and delinquencies. Get a copy of your credit report in advance to dispute any issues before you apply. It's estimated that 30-50% of all credit reports contain serious errors that many people have no idea exist. The three main credit reporting agencies, from which you can obtain reports, are:

• TransUnion Your 2014 Credit Score May Have Changed. See Your FREE Credit Score - $0 from MyFreeScoreNow. Sign up Now!
• Experian Get your Credit Scores + 7-day Trial of 3-Bureau Credit Monitoring for $1 with Enrollment in CreditReport!
• Equifax
• Shopping in Tallahassee, FL

Few people have spotless credit histories. Don't worry, many apartments will still lease to you. Making sure that you are current with all payments at the time of application and pay off as many small balances as you can before beginning your apartment hunting. Otherwise, a larger deposit or a co-signer may satisfy your potential landlord.