So I'm Not Moving to the Inner Richmond
Yesterday I went to see an apartment in the Inner Richmond. For those of you not familiar with the area, the apartment is literally across the street from Golden Gate Park. I met the Asian landlord named Jack who told me he came to this country over 25 years ago and lived in an apartment in the Mission that had roaches, and he stayed because the rent was so low. Now his daughter is starting Berkeley in the fall, and he is a mailman and owns a slew of apartments with his wife.
When I first emailed Jack about the apartment he wrote back that I sounded like the perfect tenant. Sitting on my bed reading his email, I said out loud, "I *AM* the perfect tenant!" We arranged to meet at 3pm so Jack could show me the apartment. I was worried about switching buses and getting lost (Inner Richmond is not my side of the city).
The bus to get there goes straight through Golden Gate Park. I showed up early, so killed time by wandering around a few blocks. It was all very flat and residential, though I later found out I was in walking distance of Geary and Clement.
Jack and I talked for about a half hour. I could tell he liked me. The apartment was fine. I could live there. In our talks, Jack mentioned he was seeing a number of people, so I filled out the application while I was there. Jack said he needed a check for a portion of the security deposit, so I wrote a check for $500. The application needs to be accompanied by $25 for the credit check, so I gave Jack $25. Jack told me he needed proof of income so I told him I would ask my boss (a.k.a. my friend, who offered to let me use her as a faux employer on my resume) to e-mail him confirming my income.
On the way out, Jack all but hugged me. Tonight I got a very nice e-mail from Jack saying in part:
When I first emailed Jack about the apartment he wrote back that I sounded like the perfect tenant. Sitting on my bed reading his email, I said out loud, "I *AM* the perfect tenant!" We arranged to meet at 3pm so Jack could show me the apartment. I was worried about switching buses and getting lost (Inner Richmond is not my side of the city).
The bus to get there goes straight through Golden Gate Park. I showed up early, so killed time by wandering around a few blocks. It was all very flat and residential, though I later found out I was in walking distance of Geary and Clement.
Jack and I talked for about a half hour. I could tell he liked me. The apartment was fine. I could live there. In our talks, Jack mentioned he was seeing a number of people, so I filled out the application while I was there. Jack said he needed a check for a portion of the security deposit, so I wrote a check for $500. The application needs to be accompanied by $25 for the credit check, so I gave Jack $25. Jack told me he needed proof of income so I told him I would ask my boss (a.k.a. my friend, who offered to let me use her as a faux employer on my resume) to e-mail him confirming my income.
On the way out, Jack all but hugged me. Tonight I got a very nice e-mail from Jack saying in part:
Fortunately, I was able to cancel your screening process. Therefore, I will be able to give you back the $25 fee along with your deposit check. Please advise if 10 Great Sight Lane is the address that you would like me to mail to. Additionally, what is the apartment number?
I am terribly sorry for the inconveniences this may have caused you. I wish you the best finding a place that you like. Thank you.
I wrote back giving my full address and thanking Jack for his time and for being able to give me back the $25, saying it was nice to meet him, etc.
His response?
I wrote back giving my full address and thanking Jack for his time and for being able to give me back the $25, saying it was nice to meet him, etc.
His response?
It was my pleasure meeting you.
I will put in mail first thing in the morning with your deposit check, plus a check payable to you in the amount of $25 (for cash is not allowed in mailing). Rest assured that all documents pertaining your personal information has been destroyed through shredding. Thank you for your understanding.
Even though I am sad, I am not really surprised to not get the apartment. Once he ran my credit I wouldn't have gotten it anyway. Who would rent an apartment to someone who doesn't have a job, has shit credit, and is moving after living in their current home for three weeks? It kind of seems stupid to even bother looking for a place to move at all under these circumstances, but I don't know what else to do.
I just wanted to share this because I thought it was sweet and funny - Jack won't mail cash because he knows, due to his mailman career, that it's not allowed.
Even though I am sad, I am not really surprised to not get the apartment. Once he ran my credit I wouldn't have gotten it anyway. Who would rent an apartment to someone who doesn't have a job, has shit credit, and is moving after living in their current home for three weeks? It kind of seems stupid to even bother looking for a place to move at all under these circumstances, but I don't know what else to do.
I just wanted to share this because I thought it was sweet and funny - Jack won't mail cash because he knows, due to his mailman career, that it's not allowed.
Labels: City Livin, I'm Hurt, On the Homefront, Playing in SF
posted by Green at 5/26/2009 10:07:00 PM
6 Comments:
Could Jack just adopt you?
At first, I mis-read the title and thought you were moving across the bay to the city of Richmond.
Charming the pants off someone who owns a slew of apartments does not sound like a bad thing. I would email him back and tell him to keep you in mind if something else comes up.
Sometimes when you are dealing with a person rather than a management company, you will have better luck getting him to overlook credit problems.
It might not hurt to point out that you've never missed a rent payment.
I was in your shoes at one time,
it helps to get a letter of recommendation from your landlord or past a landlord about your prompt payment history.
I got an apartment by going to a small complex off the grid, told him I cleaned houses for cash under the table and was receiving unemployment benefits until i got a better job. my frind was my fake reference for this job.
you gotta do what you gotta do to survive sometimes.
I think you should keep trying.
Apartment mgrs rent to students who have no job all the time.
Bummer that Jack couldn't help you out, but I agree that it couldn't hurt to ask him to keep you in mind for his other places.
This whole process has been insane and I'm sorry your roommate sucks. Karma.... it works. She'll get hers.
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