My New Landlord ?

[LynnLC]

Hi all- as some of you might know I recently got a new apartment. I had given him $1000 deposit while he checked my references etc. He called the other day to say "consider it yours". Fine. Today he called ( he had a bit of a macho attitude) & said someone else had wanted to rent it & wanted to double check I really wanted it because his "reputation is on the line" if I back out!? What? We had planned to meet at 2pm tomorrow to sign the lease and give him the additional $2300.( this is for a July 1st move in so actually its an early rent payment) This guy is starting to scare me a bit, he seems very pushy. Now I am feeling down about the whole thing. What do you think?

[Michelle68]

That does sound a bit odd, Lynn. Has he ever pulled that kind of attitude on you before or is this out of the blue?

--Michelle

[LynnLC]

Hi Michelle- He isn't the most friendly guy in the world but no... I feel almost pressured now- I know that sounds crazy- maybe my nerves are taking over but does he need to call every other day ? He already has my deposit& checked all my credit & refs. ????

[kittykatstrong]

Creepy, I would read the lease closely before you signed it.

Katy

[LynnLC]

Plus wanting the rent early. I can see the deposit but really other than that I don't have to pay the rent until I move in. Any one else have to pay their rent 2 weeks before moving in? I will scour the lease tomorrow- maybe I should tell him I will give him a portion then pay the rest the day I move in. I don't like the fact he has my money for 2 weeks before he needs it.

[3-boys-4-me]

I don't know your situation so if I ask questions that you've already posted the answers to please forgive me.
Do you know this guy somehow personally?
Why did you put down a deposit before signing a lease? I have never heard of doing things that way. When we rented, and found a house we liked, we always put down the deposit and first months rent the sameday we signed the lease. If we chose not to move in for 2 weeks, well then that was our lose. Don't mean to sound harsh. I just don't think him asking you to pay for 2 weeks rent, even when you won't be living there, is unreasonable. I mean, he still has to pay the mortgage payment. KWIM?
I agree with the poster above, read the lease tomorrow VERY closely.
I wish you much luck with your new landlord. I know they can be, at times, a real pain in the rump.
Take care.

[FrugalMomof3]

I say read through the lease with a fine tooth comb and I agree, I have never heard of putting down a deposit before signing a lease but if anything I hope you received a receipt. Also, make sure you get receipts AT ALL TIMES even for the deposit, and all subsequent rent payments. JMHO.

[LynnLC]

I don't know him personally- if I did -I'd get free rent!!! Just kidding! He asked for the deposit because I was away for a few days & in order for him to hold it I needed to put $ down. The rest I am paying tomorrow is for July 1

[Its_Donna]

JMHO...Go with your gut...if it feels bad..not right...then do not do it.

[baxjul]

Sounds kind of fishy to me.

[LynnLC]

I will take control of the situation tomorrow. It will be my way or the highway for him. This is a pic of him

[Amanda W]

I hope it goes well tomorrow. Keep us updated!

[i.m.cheap]

I don't think it is unusual for a property manager to expect a deposit before you move in. It "holds" the apartment for you. We just moved this week. We paid our $200 deposit on April 24 (the tenant had given her notice, and was moving out the end of May). The townhouse we rented is in a very desirable complex, and has a waiting list. We paid the deposit when we made our credit application. Once the application was approved, we signed the lease with a move in date of June 8 (they needed a week to paint, clean the carpets, etc.) We did not pay the rent until June 8, when we also got the key.

I am sure glad we don't have high rents like you do in Boston. I love our townhouse, it is larger than the rental house we moved out of, and only six years old. The complex is beautifully landscaped, and the schools here are the best in the area. Our rent is $670 a month, and water and trash are included.

[Darlene]

Sounds like he's been burnt in the past & he's just covering his butt. If you read the contract and find things to your liking I'd go for it. I'd much rather a landlord that cares who he is renting to but maybe I'm missing something. I'd just talk to him & point blank ask him what's up.
Personally, I couldn't be a landlord. They do get security etc. but it sure seems like a problem waiting to happen every time you turn around.

Good luck! Talk to tenants of his to get other opinions. He wants good tenants, you want a good home & landlord....hope you all find a happy spot. Wishing you good home vibes!

[Cricket1]

I think it sounds okay. He just wants to make sure you really want it before he turns someone else away.