How to rent an apartment or buy a house in English?
信用检查 — Explaining No Credit History
向房东解释没有美国信用记录的情况并提出替代方案 This scene includes 12 dialogue turns across 2 conversation paths, helping you practice with 房东.
Dialogue Preview · 对话预览
Explaining No Credit History · 解释没有信用记录
basicSo as part of the application, we run a standard credit check. I'll need your Social Security number and consent to pull your credit report. Is that okay?
作为申请的一部分，我们会做标准的信用检查。我需要你的社保号码和授权来调取你的信用报告。可以吗？
Sure, I'm fine with that. But I should let you know upfront — I moved to the US about six months ago, so I don't have much of a credit history here yet.
没问题。但我想先跟你说明一下——我大约六个月前搬到美国，所以在这里还没有太多信用记录。
💡 在中国，没有类似美国这样的个人信用分数体系（虽然有征信报告）。美国的 FICO 信用分范围 300-850，租房一般要求 620-700。新移民初始可能没有任何分数（称为 “thin file” 或 “no file”），这比低分还难处理。
Hmm, that could be an issue. We typically require a credit score of at least 650. What would show up if I ran a check?
嗯，这可能有点问题。我们通常要求信用分至少650。如果我查的话会显示什么？
Honestly, probably not much. I have a secured credit card that I've been using for a few months, but that's about it. I understand the concern — back in my home country I had excellent credit, but unfortunately that doesn't transfer over.
说实话，可能显示不了什么。我有一张担保信用卡用了几个月，但就这些了。我理解你的顾虑——在我的国家我信用非常好，但很遗憾这边不认。
I appreciate you being upfront about it. Let me think about what we can do. Have you been at your current job for a while?
我很感谢你坦诚相告。让我想想我们能怎么办。你在现在的工作做了多久了？
Yes, I started my job here right when I moved. I'm a software engineer at a tech company, and I have a stable salary. I can provide pay stubs and an employment letter if that helps.
是的，搬来就开始工作了。我是一家科技公司的软件工程师，有稳定的薪水。如果有帮助的话我可以提供工资单和雇佣信。
Negotiating Alternatives · 协商替代方案
intermediateLook, I like you and you seem responsible, but my insurance company gets nervous when tenants don't have a solid credit history. Here's what I usually do in these situations — would you be open to putting down a larger security deposit?
说实话，我觉得你不错，看起来很靠谱，但我的保险公司对没有信用记录的租客会比较紧张。这种情况我通常会这么处理——你愿意多交一些押金吗？
Absolutely, I was actually going to suggest that. How much extra are we talking about? I was thinking maybe an additional month's rent on top of the standard deposit.
当然愿意，我其实也想提这个。多交多少？我想的是在标准押金基础上再加一个月的房租。
That would work. So instead of one month's deposit, we'd do two months. And if you can also get me three months of bank statements and that employment letter, I think we're in good shape.
那就可以。所以押金从一个月变成两个月。如果你还能给我三个月的银行流水和那封雇佣信，我觉得就没问题了。
That sounds very reasonable. Would you also consider a reference letter from my previous landlord overseas? I rented for five years and never missed a payment.
这听起来很合理。你还会考虑接受我海外前房东的推荐信吗？我租了五年，从没拖过房租。
💡 美国非常重视 “rental history”（租房历史），前房东的推荐信很有分量。中国租房很少有这种做法。新移民可以请国内的前房东写一封英文推荐信，虽然美国房东不一定能核实，但体现了你的诚意和责任心。
Sure, that can't hurt. The more documentation, the better. I'll also need a photo ID and your SSN or ITIN for the background check. Once I have everything, the approval usually takes about two to three business days.
当然，多多益善。材料越多越好。另外我还需要你的证件照片和 SSN 或 ITIN 来做背景调查。材料齐了以后，审批通常需要两到三个工作日。
💡 ITIN（Individual Taxpayer Identification Number）是给没有 SSN 资格的人的纳税号。有些新移民在等 SSN 期间可以先用 ITIN。背景调查除了信用，还会查犯罪记录和驱逐历史（eviction history）。
Perfect. I'll put everything together this week. One more question — is the deposit refundable when I move out, assuming no damage?
太好了。我这周就把材料准备好。还有一个问题——搬走的时候如果没有损坏，押金可以退吗？
Key Phrases · 关键短语
credit check
信用检查
Social Security number
社保号码（SSN）
pull your credit report
调取信用报告
credit score of at least 650
至少650的信用分
ran a check
做检查/查一下
secured credit card
担保信用卡
doesn't transfer over
不能转移过来
being upfront
坦诚相告
putting down a larger security deposit
多交押金
open to
愿意/接受
bank statements
银行流水/银行对账单
we're in good shape
我们就没问题了
Cultural Notes · 文化注释
- •在中国，没有类似美国这样的个人信用分数体系（虽然有征信报告）。美国的 FICO 信用分范围 300-850，租房一般要求 620-700。新移民初始可能没有任何分数（称为 “thin file” 或 “no file”），这比低分还难处理。
- •美国非常重视 “rental history”（租房历史），前房东的推荐信很有分量。中国租房很少有这种做法。新移民可以请国内的前房东写一封英文推荐信，虽然美国房东不一定能核实，但体现了你的诚意和责任心。
- •ITIN（Individual Taxpayer Identification Number）是给没有 SSN 资格的人的纳税号。有些新移民在等 SSN 期间可以先用 ITIN。背景调查除了信用，还会查犯罪记录和驱逐历史（eviction history）。
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FAQ · 常见问题
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