Apartment question--please help!

My friend and his wife are trying to rent an apt. They have a 2 year old child. They don't have that much money and he works at night and student teaches.

Their apt lease is up and they are looking at other places... they found a place that is really nice, close to both sets of parents (babysitting!) and their jobs, but the apt office said that since their income isn't very high, they want FOUR months security instead of the regular two.

Have you ever heard of this? The apt is really PERFECT and on the cheaper side, they can actually afford it. Other apts they saw that were 2 bedroom were 3 or 400 more a month!

Would you take the apartment? They can scrape together the money, it's kind of the principle of the thing. They also have to be out of their apt Jan 27, so they don't have much time to waste!

Thanks for your opinions!

Re: Apartment question--please help!

I have heard of first & last month's rent for security, but not 4 months. That's a lot but if they love the apartment, maybe they can negotiate getting some money back after 3 and 6 months of timely rent paying?

Re: Apartment question--please help!

my complex does this.... you have to make x amount of money to live here...if you dont... you gotta make up for it in a dep...

Re: Apartment question--please help!

Marissa, thanks! I am glad to hear that other places did this... I have never rented before, I went from living with Mom and Dad to buying a coop... so I have no idea...and this seemed a little shady to me...

I will tell him about the negotiating part--that is a really good idea, Christine!

Thanks so much!!

Marissa--Ryan is so adorable!!

Re: Apartment question--please help!

I've never heard of that much - that's harsh - but if they really like it and it's cheaper than others - I'd probably go for it and scrape up every penny I could. Plus - what a nice surprise it will be when they get that amount back when they leave!

Re: Apartment question--please help!

Here's another question--have you ever lost your security deposit? What reasons would they keep the money, and is there any way to get that money back or contest the decision?

Another friend of mine, every time she moves, doesn't pay the last two months rent as her own "security" that she'll get the security deposit back. Could they get in trouble if they do that?

Re: Apartment question--please help!

This is my first time renting so Im not sure how it works...

A friend of mine lived in this complex (moved into her house 2 months b4 we moved in) she had $80 deducted from her security deposit...so they could clean the rugs...

Her rugs were immaculate...so when she called and said this is ridiculous...they said they do it to everyone...the rugs have to be washed b4 the next person moves in...

To me...this is ridiculous... its there responsibility to get the apt. ready for the next guy..on there dime!!!! (unless of course you stained it all up) I guess Ill handle this when the time comes....


Thanks...he is pretty damn cute huh???!!!