Is This Normal In the Renting World?

[valentino]

I am considering renting a condo through a private owner (but it's managed by a property management company). It's a GREAT price and I actually went to go view it and it was just like the pictures I saw online...but they want 1st month's rent upon receipt of the application. I've NEVER had to give a deposit equivalent to a full month's rent BEFORE actually being approved, and before my application was even reviewed (where I live now, I remember I had to give a $100 deposit to reserve the home until the move in date, but I believe that was AFTER I'd been approved...but even if it wasn't, I think it was refundable and it wound up going toward my deposit once I decided to move in). Has anyone EVER heard of anyone asking for the application, credit/background check fee and a FULL MONTH'S worth of rent prior to even being approved for the rental space? If I write a check out, they could just cash it whether or not I got approved b/c I already wrote it out to them...I don't know, it just doesn't set well with me. Also, I checked out the property management company, and their email address is at aol.com--that's not TOO bad, as I HAVE seen some businesses who use free email accounts, and just because a company has it's own email domain (is that what it's called?) doesn't mean it's legit, either...anyone can make a website these days. When I looked up the address of the company it looks as if it is located in an apartment in a complex...that just seems odd to me. I know it could be a small start up or something (the community I'm at now uses one of the townhomes as its office space, and they are legit)--I probably really wouldn't even been so paranoid IF they weren't asking for a full month's rent up front w/ the application. Has anyone else ever experienced this before? I don't want to get scammed, but I do need to move next month. HELP!

Thanks in advance! :)

[darvell]

If there's any advice I can give, it's to make that lease for as small amount of time as possible. This Real estate market probably won't change in a while dude. Experience from leasing a warehouse space (Commercial Real estate)

[trucker]

I think you're wise to be concerned. Maybe they're trying to expedite matters, but if they deposit that check and then turn you down, it could be a hassle to get the money back. I've never heard of 1st month's rent in advance of approval either, and wouldn't be inclined to give it to them.

[armin]

If you don't like the terms, don't apply.

[edmondo93]

As a business owner, you can use a service desk software manage your customers info. You can check: http://www.service-management-software.org/