Rent question... suspicious landlord. Please help.?

Hi,

2 days ago I saw a townhouse for rent in Edmonton. The place seems to be ok, and has 3 rooms. I only need 1 room, but the rent is still about the same with my current apartment.

I called the guy yesterday and he told me, someone already got it. But today he called me and said the person was a soldier so he had to leave town. That doesn't make much sense. But whatever...

I filled a form and was gonna give it to the main office, since this is a take over not new lease. But as soon as she saw the house number in the form, she said, that guy has bill issues, and said I can't move till he resolves them. So I was like, if she remembers someone that good by just seeing the number, the guy must be a troublemaker.

I saw the house and he has a wife and 3 kids, but the house seems pretty untidy, clothes, etc everywhere.

The woman in the office told me, the house might be damaged so check for that. He also asked me to pay him $1100 for the deposit as this is what he paid

whereas the normal deposit is $800, so he said, he paid $300 for a pet... dog. And told this all this to me on the phone after I saw the house. I remember him telling me that $800 is required as shown on the form. And then why he forgot to mention his deposit is $1100?

So I didn't hand in my application to the office to think about it.

The pros/cons of the new house are these:

1. Closer to work, 5 mins to walk (my current place: 20-25 mins to walk)
2. Closer to the main road so easy access to some shops and a superstore

Cons:

1. Smaller chunks of space since it has 3 rooms, whereas my current place is like 1 large living room connected with kitchen (and 1 bedroom), so a more open space.
2. Further to the mall


There is also snow around the house (since it's townhouse), but he said I don't need to clean it.

Right now I am paying $1k for the rent, and this house will be about the same.

Do you think I should rent that place? What kind of investigations I should make?

I would not take it. Your are right, there is something going on. Especially since the woman knew right of the bat who he was. It may be more of a headache int he long run. Buyer beware. Landlords are required by law to do certain things for their tenants so you are protected in that sense. (you would have to check the laws in your jurisdiction) The house may be damaged, another warning sign that SOMETHING went on in there. I would look around some more before committing. The last thing you want to do is be stuck in a contract involving somewhere you are supposed to feel comfortable and safe in!
Good luck!

It sounds suspcious...I'd wait until something else opens up

the woman in the main office has all ready been up front with you .i would go and talk to her some more.other wise keep a way from it . good luck

Move on to another location, if you don't feel comfortable about the situation (obviously by posting on this site) than you should find another place.

You do realize that you are refunding his entire deposit and you will be on the hook of any damages? You have no way of knowing what the condition of the place is like when this couple moved in, do you want that to be your responsibility. Do yourself a favor and move on, there has got to be something else available around that area.

Who is "the guy"? Is he the current renter or the owner? Who is "she"? Is she a property manager? In any case, I wouldn't give anyone any money if they don't even know when the place will be available and if "he" whoever that is, has issues, you certainly don't want to give him your money. What if the deal doesn't go through? You'd have to sue to get your own money back, and since he has "issues" you'll probably never see it again even if you win.