Go legit. Register as self-employed, submit your accounts and pay your taxes. Self-employed people rent apartments too, and you don't need to tell them what exactly your business is. Say you're some kind of therapist or consultant.

Why yes, I *do* live in the Annex!

I'm a male escort, and you know how we let security slide. So, I have no buddy system... Of course, it's still dangerous for us, but perhaps at least ever so slightly less dangerous, unless you count the risk of HIV.

I happen to be a student as well, and if that's so toxic I could omit it altogether unless directly asked. Although I look about 17 I'm capable of dressing nicely and speaking well, but as you say that may be irrelevant to high-rise living (all the cool neighbourhoods near Yonge St are made of bigger buildings ).

I'm not against the idea of registering as self-employed, although it seems to me that if this teenaged-looking punk kid, who's also a student, claims to be some vague form of physical therapist without any details nor formal qualifications in therapy, any landlord is going to know right away what that's all about. Even if he were okay with it, he'd be likely to think my career wouldn't last and that payments would stop after two months.

In addition, I do have some scholarships. Would it work to say "oh, in addition to my day job, I live with the several thousand dollars that I've won [without specifying the amount, although there are thousands]"? Is it also feasible to say "my dad visits me and gives me $300 every month"? Something like that could actually be completely true but leave no paper trail!

So... I wonder if scholarships + parent story + reference from current landlord + day job combined might work, although I may be very naive indeed! If I were a landlord I'd probably want documentation.

And finally (you must be tired of reading this!), I'm intrigued by this fake employment letter. How did you go about doing that and how did you get away with it?

I'm not against the idea of registering as self-employed, although it seems to me that if this teenaged-looking punk kid, who's also a student, claims to be some vague form of physical therapist without any details nor formal qualifications in therapy, any landlord is going to know right away what that's all about. Even if he were okay with it, he'd be likely to think my career wouldn't last and that payments would stop after two months.

You can think of something plausible. Consultants don't necessarily need qualifications and no-one knows what they actually do. Web designer would also work.

You might be able to get parents or someone else respectable to guarantee your rent for you. It's quite common here with properties that are rented to students but I don't know how easily you could sort it out with a landlord that doesn't normally do that.

Hi Annexian,

Have you thought about saving up a bit before taking on something as expensive as a private rental that seems financially difficult for you right now? I'm just wondering in case it's a bit of large leap for you just yet without any money saved up - can you really not wait a little longer, get registered, get accountant etc. be self-employed for a little while longer that may make obtaining a lease a little easier.

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