Your past-due student loans can make it harder to rent an apartment. These 5 tips can help

The best thing a past-due student loan borrower looking for new housing can do is move to resolve the delinquency or default, said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, a nonprofit that helps borrowers navigate repayment.

Borrowers can often get out of a delinquency status by making a payment on their student debt or enrolling in a forbearance, Mayotte said. There are also economic hardship and unemployment deferments available for those who qualify, both of which keep your loan payments paused and out of the red. Those who are further behind can contact the government’s Default Resolution Group and sign up for a loan rehabilitation or loan consolidation.