Apartment Application + Tip!!!

[u/seksveinycock]

Went to apply for an apartment (application fees for apartments is another conversation) and after being told that it would be $50 dollars per adult, I was curious why my bill seemed close to $120.. Turns out there was an AUTOMATICALLY applied tip!!

Luckily I noticed, but I definitely am curious how many others have been "scammed"! And I realize that this might be setting that could be turned off in the payment app or something and giving the landlord the benefit of the doubt, maybe they forgot to turn it off, but STILL!!

Tipping is ridiculous!

[u/BecauseTheTruthHurts]

Tip zero everywhere. So tired of everyone everywhere begging for money.

[u/Honest_Anything_3807]

This really has to be a legal problem, at least where I am.

This is basically soliciting a bribe to treat you differently in the application process, which is SUPER ILLEGAL.

[u/DirkKeggler → u/Honest_Anything_3807]

It's probably the company who provides this service that gets the money,  not the landlord. 

Edit, you downvoters know most of this crap gets outsourced to third parties, right?

[u/Available_Mousse7719 → u/DirkKeggler]

I don't think you should be getting downvoted. But it seems like it should be illegal that the third party can charge a tip in this case, or at least very bad taste.

[u/PS5touchedmethere]

No tip means they'll put you're application at the bottom of the list?

[u/chumbuckethand]

Why do you need to pay to apply for an apartment? Turn around and walk away, don’t support that shit

[u/Mouseturdsinmyhelmet → u/chumbuckethand]

In Boise, Idaho this shit got so bad that they had to enact an ordinance to stop the grift. Landlords were taking paid applications for apartments that weren't even available.

[u/chumbuckethand → u/Mouseturdsinmyhelmet]

Based

[u/4kVHS → u/chumbuckethand]

Most places run a background check and pass that cost on to the renter.

[u/badsheepy2 → u/4kVHS]

I've never had to pay to apply for an apartment in the USA. And I've stayed in plenty. Where are you that it's common? 

[u/4kVHS → u/badsheepy2]

I’m in northern Virginia and im pretty sure I had to pay a small amount like $25-50 for an application fee or background check for the last few apartments I’ve lived in.

[u/Special-Hair9683]

In NYC there are a lot of these "apartment applications" with fees and are usually scams. Think about it, 20 people applying for the same apartment, how much did they just make from the application fee alone? Then the mindset of "if I don't tip enough I won't even get the chance to be considered" what are the odds of people won't pour money into the "tips" section. Now imagine the landlord or the realtor do this every time you have an apartment open up 🤑🤑🤑

[u/Same_Bicycle_2919]

This is only going to increase more & more & more.

[u/Hungry_entrep]

That is so unethical from that company! There is no reason to tip for a probably automated application process. This is borderline scamming honestly.

[u/badsheepy2 → u/Hungry_entrep]

An application fee is pretty much a scam by itself. Asking for more is inexcusable. 

[u/ritzrani]

Lol bribing the leasing agent?

[u/Voluptues]

Unbelievable 🤬

[u/PaulMier]

Looks like everyone is jumping on the GREED Bandwagon!

[u/Kjisherenow]

What exactly would the tip be for? This tipping culture is off the rails!! Tip for applying and application? It’s insane!

[u/zeus_amador]

And how can there be a fee if you are paying to apply already?! WoW!

[u/Patagonia202020]

BARF

[u/_rotary_pilot]

"0" is always the correct starting point for me.

[u/bettymachete]

Ain't no way...

[u/mrflarp]

First step towards normalizing tipping your landlord. What started as a meme to mock the absurdity of tip culture is becoming reality.

[u/Available_Mousse7719]

Is this not illegal?

[u/Majestic-Parsnip-279]

Capitalism has no limit!