Two posts in one!

[nonethefewer]

#1

I think I finally found a way to scan checks in and use Perl to more-or-less automatically resize them and also put them in the right folder.  Mwahahaha.

Except I'm nervous about testing it.  Alas.

--

#2

When you go to a property management place to talk about one of their apartment conclaves, what's expected of me?  There's an application fee -- do I bring that?  I assume so, as I'll be applying.  If both Josh and I are applying, should he come with, if possible?

Originally posted on Dreamwidth.  Number of comments so far:

Comments

[hitchhiker.livejournal.com]

dude. why are you not in a techier job?

#2

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

When you first visit, you generally fill out a small amount of paperwork but do not pay. Then you tour the available units (ideally all people who are to have input on the final decision do the tour). If you don't like any or aren't sure, you leave without paying anything at all. If you definitely want one on the first visit (or on a subsequent visit), you fill out more paperwork (including contact info for last few landlords), pay required fees, first month's rent, last month's rent, and deposit (so it may end up as much as 4x a month's rent, by check or credit card). If you have low income or poor credit you may need to also bring another person as guarantor to sign as well. If for some reason you are rejected, you should get everything or nearly everything back (except perhaps any application fee).

Re: #2

[vvvexation.livejournal.com]

Huh. In my experience you don't have to pay the rent and deposit until after they've accepted you--i.e. on a third visit.

Re: #2

[vvvexation.livejournal.com]

Also IME they do not take credit cards, and often will require you to pay the deposit and/or the first month's rent with a cashier's check or money order.

Re: #2

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

Generally I've left the deposit to secure the space (so no one else could apply for it), but they didn't cash the check until approved.

Re: #2

[vvvexation.livejournal.com]

Ah, right. I've been asked for a "holding deposit" before, but it usually wasn't the full amount of the security deposit.