Questions about renting an appartment

[zilla]

So i've been looking around for appartments and have gotten a few application forms and I was in a state of shock when I read some of the questions!

I've never been asked these types of questions when applying to rent a unit: my financial institution, type of bank account, type of credit card, outstanding debt, do i lease or own my car, monthly payments, Driver's Liscence #

I searched the government of alberta's tenancy laws but it doesn't state anything about what landlords can/can't ask on an application form.

Is this kind of stuff common for renting apartments in Calgary? IMHO they don't need to know any of this info. I can understand them doing a credit check, but that's all (don't they need your SIN to do a credit check or can they do it with a Driver's Liscence number too?)

[Tuna]

Re: Questions about renting an appartment

So i've been looking around for appartments and have gotten a few application forms and I was in a state of shock when I read some of the questions!

I've never been asked these types of questions when applying to rent a unit: my financial institution, type of bank account, type of credit card, outstanding debt, do i lease or own my car, monthly payments, Driver's Liscence #

I searched the government of alberta's tenancy laws but it doesn't state anything about what landlords can/can't ask on an application form.

Is this kind of stuff common for renting apartments in Calgary? IMHO they don't need to know any of this info. I can understand them doing a credit check, but that's all (don't they need your SIN to do a credit check or can they do it with a Driver's Liscence number too?)

I've seen that before in Calgary, I think it's left over forms from when calgary had less than 1% vacancy rate so basically landlords could ask whatever they wanted and people would give it. It was pretty rediculous for a while here. Sorry I can't help with what they can and can't ask, I think it's really stupid personally especailly for all the slums they tried to pawn off as "upscale" near some of the downtown areas (I lived in Kensington for 2 years).

[zilla]

Re: Questions about renting an appartment

Thanks for the heads up. i'll get in touch with the government office responsible for housing and see exactly what landlords can and cannot ask.

[Flanders]

Re: Questions about renting an appartment

what neck of the woods are you looking in?

[zilla]

Re: Questions about renting an appartment

the main areas are inner city, SW and NW. The one that was asking all the questions was in Spruce Cliff.

[NeonGTI]

Re: Questions about renting an appartment

For my properties I have the management company do credit checks, past renting references, job history, the whole thing.

Vacancy is tight enough right now that I can be choosy about who I let in.

[Kor]

Re: Questions about renting an appartment

For my properties I have the management company do credit checks, past renting references, job history, the whole thing.

Vacancy is tight enough right now that I can be choosy about who I let in.

They can definitely do a credit check I think, if its a lease/rent scenario since they are incurring risk by choosing you as a tennant?

[NeonGTI]

Re: Questions about renting an appartment

If you are getting a lease you are signing a contract for a fixed period of time in to the future, in essence you are obtaining credit against future occupation of the property and as such I, as a leasor, can do a full check to assure your credibility. This includes pulling a bureau report, calling references (provided by you and with your consent), and contact past or present landlords and employers.

You can bet your patootey that in a low vacancy market I am going to ensure you are a quality tenant. In the event that a tenant is less than top quality I, the property owner, will be screwed with the cost of collecting from you, repairing your damages, and if the damage is severe enough losing at least a months rental while effecting the repairs.

They can definitely do a credit check I think, if its a lease/rent scenario since they are incurring risk by choosing you as a tennant?

[zilla]

Re: Questions about renting an appartment

If you are getting a lease you are signing a contract for a fixed period of time in to the future, in essence you are obtaining credit against future occupation of the property and as such I, as a leasor, can do a full check to assure your credibility. This includes pulling a bureau report, calling references (provided by you and with your consent), and contact past or present landlords and employers.

You can bet your patootey that in a low vacancy market I am going to ensure you are a quality tenant. In the event that a tenant is less than top quality I, the property owner, will be screwed with the cost of collecting from you, repairing your damages, and if the damage is severe enough losing at least a months rental while effecting the repairs.

I'm not saying i resent the credit checks.. in fact I expect it. But some of those questions press the line of invasion of privacy and go into the "none of your f'in business" territory.

[Tuna]

Re: Questions about renting an appartment

I'm not saying i resent the credit checks.. in fact I expect it. But some of those questions press the line of invasion of privacy and go into the "none of your f'in business" territory.

Yea, credit checks are fine but how much debt you have or what bank you use is none of their damn business. Reason # 32 why I hated renting. Like I said, I think a lot of this stuff stems back to when they could basically ask you to strip naked and run around the block for the place if they wanted to (it's not like that anymore, there's LOTS of rental property now, you can probably tell THEM to run around the block now)

[NeonGTI]

Re: Questions about renting an appartment

Oh indeed. I am sure that some folks try to slip stuff in that are either on or over the guidelines set forth in the Landlord / Tenant Agreement.

p.s. google the LTA and 'Calgary' for a guide to tenants rights in almost every situation.

I'm not saying i resent the credit checks.. in fact I expect it. But some of those questions press the line of invasion of privacy and go into the "none of your f'in business" territory.