If you share an apartment, then whoever has good credit will rent it, and expect to be paid the share of the person who has bad credit. Before you fill out an application, ask the landlord if they do a credit check.Should look into 2nd chance leasing. Embrace subletting in California! Know your rights, follow guidelines, and have a solid sublease agreement. California law requires tenants to seek explicit, written permission from their landlords to sublet if it is not already allowed in the lease. Write a letter to your landlord explaining how you got to have bad credit. Subletting a rental is permitted in California if the landlord doesn't expressly prohibit it in the lease agreement. California law requires tenants to seek explicit, written permission from their landlords to sublet if it is not already allowed in the lease. You've finally settled into apartment living.