Sort of a Rant

Trusting our intuition often saves us
from disaster. 

-Anne Wilson Schaef-

Last night we went to look at another apartment.  It was late, and I really didn't want to go.  Now, I wish I hadn't gone.  They fact is, I fell in love with the place.  It is four rooms, not too far from the water, on a different side Brooklyn. It's a great neighborhood, a block from the train station, and near all shopping.  There's plenty of windows, four walk in closets, and it is only $50 more a month than what I already pay.  I definitely want it...so why am I feeling so bad?...

....because I just don't think I'm going to get it.  I know I should be thinking positive, but I my intuition is telling me that we don't 'measure up' to what they are looking for, so to speak. I've always lived in private homes, never in a building, so I had no idea what to expect.  In private homes, they just ask the basic questions, and, of course, want to speak to your present landlord, but that's about it.  I was shocked when I was handed the application for this building.  They want to know:

...Where I work.  How long.  Salary.
...They want to talk to my employer.
...My bank account...and its number?  Don't feel comfortable with that one.
...My credit cards and how much is owed.  
...Savings accounts.  401 k's, and stuff like that.  How far I went in school.  ...What degree or certificates I have. 
...They want to see my present utility bills.
...They want a copy of my social security and drivers license or state I.D. ...They want to come and check out my present apartment.
...And on top of all that, they are going to do a credit check...and all this is going to cost me is a non-refundable $100.  

The more I thought about, the angrier it made me.  Granted, I haven't been turned down, and there is that slight chance we might get it.  15 years of never been late paying your rent has to count for something.   But I was thinking about all the others, all those people out there looking for a place to live, those people who may not have a diploma or a GED, but they do have a decent job.  I understand that the building owner wants to make sure he has decent, rent-paying tenants, but I do think this goes a little bit above board and is actually quite discriminatory to people who may actually turn out to be great tenants. There is far too much homelessness in this city.  I spoke with several of my co-workers who live in buildings, and this seems to be the norm.  Could these new stringent rules for rentals contribute to the homeless situation?  I have to wonder how many people are out there who tried for housing, but were turned down because they did not meet up with the standards.

I'm so leery of this because hubby is unemployment, and my intuition is telling me that, although I make enough to cover the rent, the word unemployment is a dirty word to them...that and the fact that I really have no savings. I don't have $100 to just throw away.  This move is taking everything I have.   Funny thing, when I went to bed last night, closed my eyes and tried to visualize the apartment all hooked up, I couldn't see it.  Try as I might I could not see the herb garden in the windows, etc.  I take that as an omen that it isn't meant to be. 

Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own, instead of someone else's. 

-Billy Wilder-