How can I tell if my apartment is on the up and up? And is this an okay neighborhood?

Question

I'm about to send in an application for an apartment on my and my roommates behalf. The roommate is out of town and hasn't seen the place, so I feel very responsible for anything that goes wrong.
The application asks for typical info, but it also asks for my bank account numbers- this seems off to me (I've read that some places like to wire your deposit back to you, but it still seems weird). It also asks for a deposit and first month's rent in the form of a cashier's check, money order or certified check, which will make the agreement binding pending approval. Is this safe? Those are basically cash-in-hand forms, so it makes me nervous having no recourse.
Lastly, for any DC natives, the place is betwee 14th and 15th NW just north of W ST NW, right by Meridian Hill Park. Any big caveats to the neighborhood? I know its "transitional" but its transitioning in the right direction as far as I can tell.

Nevermind- I walked by the apartment this morning and asked some of the neighbors about the building. Apparently its the bad apple of the block (drug deals and a brothel on the first floor, supposedly). The rest of the neighborhood is great though, so I'm going to keep looking- thanks for the advice (and I will be asking for tenant references from now on).

Answer 1

I would NEVER put my bank details on a rental application form. They have absolutely NO need for that information, either now or if you sign a lease. This alone would give me serious reason to question ever renting from this landlord.

As to the requested advance deposit with the application, that is WAY excessive. An advance payment of $25 - $50 would be acceptable to cover the cost of the credit check and background check. (And in many jurisdictions, anything more than that is illegal, though I can't speak for DC.)

Neither of these issues endears me to that landlord. I'd personally look elsewhere.

Sorry, can't speak to the neighborhood.

Answer 2

Make sure you ALWAYS get a recipt for any money you give, even cheques.

If it's a reputable company letting you should be ok sending your bank details. Or you could say you prefer to get a cheque back (if it's for the deposit) if you are not comfortable with them having your details. Maybe they want your bank details so they can do a credit check on you, but the need to inform you of this first.

Maybe you could send it in without the bank details and see if they ask for them. dont really know, ring them.

money order isnt good, but cheques are safe enough, make sure they are written out to a person, not to cash. All places require a deposit. If they dont approve you cancel the cheque immediately, however, if they cashed it you could sue them i guess.

Recipts recipts recipts! Cover yourself.

happy house living!
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Answer 3

First thing do not ever ever ever give that info on an application. There is no reason they should ever need this and that seems kind of shady. I would ask them why they need that. You can tell them you do not feel comfortable giving them that info and they should be ok with that. If not then look some where else. As for your area you can go online to your local police department and get info on the crime rate in your area. That way you can see just how good the place your looking at is. If its got alot of crime around it then stay away! Good luck to you.

Answer 4

the reason they are asking your bank information is to make sure you have 6 months reserve in your bank account. all tenants must be able to prove that they are financially stable. you are probably renting from a luxury building which is common. they like to know what your employment history is as well to back up that you can afford the rent. don't listen to these idiots on here. I work in property management and it is standard in a luxury complex to ask for bank in fop, esp since your rent is probably very high. The need to know that you make 50 times the month rent and that you have a steady bank account for the past 6 months. Also you need to pay security and 1st months deposit in cashiers check bc they don't want to accept a check and have it bounce on them and have u living in their apartment when u gave them 2 bounced checks. Its for good reasoning. If you feel uncomfortable than photocopy the checks front and back before giving them so they can be easily traced if something were to happen to them. This is all standard so stop listening to these idiots.

Answer 5

Ask people who live nearby what they think!