(Closed) Should renting an apartment be this difficult?!?!

posted 4 years ago in Home
Post # 16
Member
2673 posts
Sugar bee
  • Wedding: September 2014

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Peachbeee :  I just thought of one more thing- have you ever had an issue with pre-employment background checks or any other type of background check? I have an acquaintance who has the same name (semi-common first & last names) AND DOB as a registered sex offender…every single time he has had a pre-employment background check it has caused him to be flagged. It usually takes him a few weeks to get it sorted out. 

 

Post # 17
Member
2673 posts
Sugar bee
  • Wedding: September 2014

Hmmm…I would research the individual you’ve been dealing with and make sure they check out. It’s also possible that they don’t want to pay a commission to a realtor and that’s why they’re dragging their heels. 

Post # 18
Member
234 posts
Helper bee

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Horseradish :  We live in Houston,Texas…I’m not sure what the laws are but that is pretty crazy and unconstitutional :/ I thought about that the first time there was a snag with the application so I supplied them my passport and SS card.

Post # 19
Member
2849 posts
Sugar bee

You’ve already gotten great responses and suggestions, but I was so alarmed by this I had to reply too. This place sounds SUPER super shady, and what they’re asking of you is just bizarre. I would absolutely not proceed with this place. Totally not normal! Something unsavory is going on here, whether they’re discriminating against you or whatever else it may be. If you’re having problems like this just applying, imagine the problems once you move in….Good luck girl. You will find a way better place!

Post # 20
Member
215 posts
Helper bee

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Peachbeee :  Funny, I used to work at the XOM campus but got a new (and better) inside the loop.  There is no way these requirements make any sense – most XOM employees at the campus are US citizens, so there isn’t some weird issue there.  Also, they should be begging you to sign on – there is an apartment glut about to come on the market in Houston.  I guarantee you that there are way better places to live here!

Post # 21
Member
234 posts
Helper bee

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WestCoastV :  that’s something interesting to think about! I did have one perspective job I almost got, but after I filled out the he W2 and agreed to background checks I never heard back from them…that was only one instance though and my name is kind of unique. But still that’s def something I need to look into. Never even thought of that!

Post # 22
Member
911 posts
Busy bee
  • Wedding: December 2016

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Peachbeee :  You’re likely not being scammed or discriminated against. I work in multifamily  (apartments) for a living and did leasing for years.

Applications are screened through a third party system. Your data is private and not shared with anyone outside the apartment community office and this verification team.

However, sometimes things get stuck. The most common time you see this is with a very common name. Like John Smith. They have a hard time verifying which John Smith it is. It gets hung up in the automated system and kicks back to a human to look over.

So they ask for your ID and SS card. 

This is uncommon but it does happen and there is no reason to be alarmed. If you feel uncomfortable and are not attached to the community, you can apply elsewhere but you likely forfeit your app fee and maybe deposit and run into the probability that another community uses the same screening company.

Additionally, by not including your husband on your application you could be committing renters fraud as all residents over 18 have to be on the lease and meet apartment criteria. 

 

Edit for clarity based on TAA: the above statement re. Renters fraud is assuming that you do not qualify alone. If he is on the lease as a resident but you qualify, disregard. 🙂

Post # 23
Member
911 posts
Busy bee
  • Wedding: December 2016

Also: as an applicant you are entitled to view the screening analysis so please don’t hesitate to reach out for a full copy of what they are seeing that is raising alarm bells!!

Post # 24
Member
950 posts
Busy bee
  • Wedding: June 2012

Weird. I’m a landlord and have never asked for that many identifications! All that would seem like a total PITA to me. 

And I’m white, hubby Asian, so no discrimination here!

Post # 25
Member
234 posts
Helper bee

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unfettering :  Thank you for this information and your input. Both my husband and I are on the lease, the leasing agent told us that since my credit score is higher they will go with mine. My husband’s income is higher so they said they will go with his. My name is also unique and not very common. After submitting my passport, SS card, and Drivers License, as well as a credit history report from Experian printed and paid for ourselves, they STILL said that’s not enough information and need further ID’s with my SS printed on them. It’s nice to know not to be alarmed but is going this far necessary? If it’s any help at all, the background credit check company they use is First Advantage.

Post # 26
Member
911 posts
Busy bee
  • Wedding: December 2016

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Peachbeee :  I think you may be leasing with my management company. Will you private message me?  I don’t want to give out too many personal details. I may be able to assist.

Post # 28
Member
1252 posts
Bumble bee

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Peachbeee :  

Honestly that seems off.

Here in Canada it might be different. The first place my hubby and I rented was just our record of employment they wanted and our drivers L. And it took a matter of 2 days for them to get back to us.

Seems really weird.

Post # 29
Member
1135 posts
Bumble bee
  • Wedding: October 2016

I don’t care who it is or how nice the place is- I just would not feel comfrotable giving out that much information!!! sealed

Post # 30
Member
106 posts
Blushing bee
  • Wedding: November 2010

One thing I just thought of– have you seen your credit report lately?  Is it possible that there is something on there that they are trying to validate- could somone have already stolen your identity?  I would pull all 3 reports and go over those too.

Good Luck!

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