Deposit to hold apartment that's not yet available (fee, housing, condo)

[brancha]

I am on a wait-list for a low-income rental property, and I've been told I'm next in line for an apartment. I'm disabled, on a fixed-income and have an excellent rental/credit history.

The property manager has asked for a bank check for $1,400. This is nonrefundable and would "eventually become the security deposit." The problem is that no unit is currently available, and the manager cannot provide an actual date when an apartment will be available. I'm therefore being asked to surrender more than $1,000 for an apartment that will "eventually come through," but there's no time frame. I'm obviously concerned about this. Shouldn't there be language in the agreement that gives the landlord a deadline to provide housing?

[jackmichigan]

I certainly wouldn't give up $1,400 under those circumstances. What if something better comes along?

[njkate]

Low income and they want $1400
Not sure I would do that if it's non refundable and he can't give you a date of when apt would be available.

I would think he wouldn't even ask until he received a 30 day notice from someone that they were vacating

[Hemlock140]

If you are in a hot rental market, landlords will do whatever they can to take more of your money, and if you don't play their game, plenty of others will.

A friend recently had to move when his rental condo in Seattle was being sold. He was surprised by a similar situation, and also, that he had to pay for the credit check in advance, and couldn't get a copy of the lease until they gave him the keys. He actually talked to an attorney who said "you must not have rented an apartment lately, this is all normal now and legal." He went on to say that people from other states/countries are sending in large checks without even seeing the apartment.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Low income and you are next in line. Decide whether or not you want the apartment. If you want it, you are going to have to pay the deposit. If you don't want it, I'm sure they have along wait list of people who will be happy to hear that you dropped off the list so they can move up one place.

Be sure to get a receipt for the money that says exactly what it is for. Make sure it says that the holding fee converts to the deposit when you move in; you will want to have that in writing.