January 2025 by D Jones
I was really interested in renting from here, then I wasn't. I was previewing the application and noticed how much information they require just to apply. It is unethical, and they should reconsider how much and what they are asking people to provide. If you have to get all of these documents and verifications just for someone to prove they can afford to live there, then maybe you should get out of the business. I could see if celebrities lived there and/or apartments were 10k a month, but neither are true. Places in Beverly Hills and Miami ask for way less things. And let's be real, this is Paterson. Have they looked around this SMALL town...
The following is what they want that I consider very extra, unnecessary, and intrusive:
1) Birth certificate AND Social security card
2) 4 to 6 pay stubs
3) A court order or case number of your trial if you are receiving child support payments (this is crazy)
4) Tax returns
5) W-2 or 1099
6) Bank statements from ALL of your accounts for each person at least 18 years of age
Why on earth would an apartment need all of this? With the threat of data breaches and employees that are reckless with information, why would anyone want an entity to have access to all of this information about them. It's an APARTMENT, not a home loan, which doesn't even need all of this information. I have been renting for decades, and it's usually just 2 to 4 pay stubs OR bank statements, a social security card, OR a birth certificate, credit check, and a background check. THAT'S IT.
All these requirements were an immediate turn-off, and they are 100% imposed by the CHOICE of the owning entity.
UPDATE based on business reply
I think it is great that discounts are offered based upon income. However, there's a difference between eligibility verification and intrusion. To be eligible, someone needs to show you their birth certificate and social security card? To be eligible, someone needs to give you their bank account statements from every person living there on top of W-2s and pay stubs? To be eligible, someone needs to give you their case number so that your employees know each and every detail of their custody/domestic case? You are a business entity, not a state organization. And if you are offering POSSIBLE discounts on rent, then people who want to apply here that aren't or won't be eligible for such programs shouldn't have to go through the same application. There should be a screening or option for potential residents to select if they would like to apply for THAT specific type of program, but you have as to where everyone does through the same application process regardless. I already know I wouldn't qualify, so why should I have to do everything that is required for someone who is seeking rental assistance. But regardless of if someone is seeking assistance, this is A LOT to ask of someone.
