10/07/2020
Public Service Announcement to renters
When you inquire about a rental, the events should go something like this:
1. Inquire. Say you are interested, ask any questions about the building or unit.
2. Most times the owner/manager will want to speak to you and/or will send you a preliminary tenant screening, which has general questions as in:
A) Name
B) Current Address
C) Reason for leaving current address
D) Monthly income with no details (to calculate if you cannot afford rent listed)
E) Ever been evicted?
F) Have or have had delinquent utilities?
G) Pets?
F) How many occupants? (So property owner can see if you are within fire code)
The reason we do this, is because we don't want to waste your time or ours. If you can't afford the rental, or you've had a recent eviction, those could be deal breakers for a property owner. Why should we tour a property with you when you don't qualify?
A property owner will NEVER ask for your personal information before you've even toured a unit. Such as: social security number, driver's license number, bank account numbers, etc.
This comes at the time of application.
3. So you tour the unit and like it.
You pay a fee for applying (it costs money to do background, reference, and credit checks), fill out application, property owner processes application.
4. You are approved or denied.
5. If approved, you move forward by giving a security deposit, first month's rent, and signing a lease, (usually all in the same day) which is a legal contract between you and the property owner. You get keys and move in.
A lot of the time this is all done in person.
Sometimes, virtually, over the computer.
Please be wary of scams. No landlord is going to be pushing you forward quickly, because we must make sure every detail is covered.
If you are being pushed forward quickly, there is probably something wrong.
Do not give money to someone without checking legitimacy of their business.
Never give personal information, until you are prepared to apply for a lease.
Do this in person if at all possible.
Please be careful.