Anyone use move.com to rent an apartment? (Pasadena, Alhambra: lease, landlord)

[marcyc]

I'm moving from NYC to LA in a few months. I found an apartment on Craigslist that I want to check out. I emailed the owner for more information and she replied saying that she is using move.com to facilitate the process because she moved out of the apt 2 weeks ago and relocated to London because of her job.

Basically, she explained that the way move.com works is that she has to submit my name and address to them. They will then contact me with more information. She is requiring the first 2 months rent plus half a month's rent for security. However, with move.com, according to her, you have to pay this money to them BEFORE viewing the apartment. They will then send me the keys and the lease. I have 10 days from receipt of the keys to see the place. If I like the apartment, great. I just have to sign the lease and keep the keys. If not, I have to return the keys and lease to move.com and ask them to refund my money.

This sounds weird to me. I have to pay the money before even seeing the place? Plus. I don't even know how long it will take to get my money back and that's money I can use towards another apartment.

I emailed move.com about this and plan to call them Monday morning to confirm. But I wanted to post on here to see if anyone has used them before. If yes, how was it? Are they legit?

Thanks in advance!

[Green Irish Eyes]

An overseas owner/landlord who wants you to pay in advance is a classic Craigslist scam. Not sure what the connection to move.com is, but you should simply walk away now and be glad you didn't give them any of your hard-earned money.

[pianoman09]

I don't know what your budget is or what part of town you're moving in, but Archstone Residential has a great process for doing a move in process online. Nice apts too. Small, and kinda expensive, but what else do you expect in LA? lol...just throwing it out there in case you're interested. They have apts all over LA. Google them.

[marcyc]

Thanks for the info! My budget is $1000 and under. I would preferably like a 1-bedroom. I'm looking for something in the following areas: Pasadena, South Pasadena (yes, I know I am dreaming LOL), Arcadia, Sierra Madre, Monrovia or Alhambra.