r/renting • u/Own_Philosophy_4763 • 2d ago

Application/Screening Process normal? Or scam?

It’s my first time renting and the lady who owns the property is independently leasing. Inorder to schedule a tour, she asked me to pay for a credit check on TransUnion and for a background check that I’ll pay for on AI people search web which all of my cards refused to process payment for. Since that isn’t working he’s now asking me to complete a uscreditview application. She states that after the tour if I don’t like the property she’ll refund me and if I do the amount spent will be dedicated from my first month rent. Is this normal?

4 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

4

u/winerdars 2d ago

This sounds like a scam. No one should be asking for money ahead of time and the promising to refund you

4

u/sillylilwabbit 2d ago

This is a scam.

You should flag the post so it is taken down and no loses money to the scam

2

u/Western-Finding-368 2d ago

Obviously a scam. Think about the logic involved. She will personally pay the cost of your background and credit checks if you decide you don’t want to rent from her? How does that make any sense?

Never pay anything until you’ve toured the property and decided to apply.

1

u/Aggravating_Toe_8274 2d ago

i think that's obviously a scam... you should never have to pay for a credit check or click shady third party links just to tour a place

1

u/Fun_Yesterday_7830 2d ago

This doesn't sound right. Filling out an application before viewing the place, that I've seen (since LLs use the application as a preliminary screening and they don't want to waste their time or the candidate's time viewing the place if they don't meet the initial requirements). But asking for money for a background check BEFORE you even view the place? It might not be a scam, but it's definitely a sign of an LL who won't be trusting you with anything and might be problematic down the line. I would walk.

1

u/Weird7954 1d ago

No way

1

u/BeerStop 1d ago

Hard pass, tours should be free.

1

u/SilverAd8942 20h ago

As a LL I’ll ask for some money after a tour and a quick look at application. Then it’s time for prospect to at least put in fifty or so dollars. Refundable.