Friends Housing Co-Op

A B _{on Google}

Mar 30th, 2020

SKETCHY & DECEPTIVE. AVOID. There were many red flags that we ignored out of desperation. They post ads on Facebook, Zumper, and other websites. They target those who earn less, claiming they’re trying to help “make the community more affordable.” They tempt with prices that are too-good-to-be-true. There’s only one contact person who has unusual office hours; let’s call him “Ed.” Ed pushes you to pay the application fee upfront, and he acts like it’s weird and inconvenient if you ask to see the apartment first. He also uses manipulative tactics, such as scarcity and urgency, to instill fear that there is a limited supply, time is running out, and that there are other applicants you’re competing against. Btw, an interview is required.
On my first call, Ed said 2 people just applied and that I better get my application in ASAP. I insisted on seeing the apartment first, and I finally got an appointment after several exchanges. During the tour, he still urged me to apply ASAP, while using promising language to lead me on. He then changed his story and said 1 person just applied and that I better hurry up since there’s already 1 person ahead of me. THEN days later, he said that no one had applied yet, but I better hurry and apply to be first. All of this was contradictory, but I didn’t call him on his bluff out of fear that I might ruin this false opportunity.
After the first contact, I noticed they removed all listings from their website and social media. Ed claimed the apts were still available, but didn’t explain why they removed everything. When I finally decided to pay for the application, there was conflict with trying to actually obtain it. Nothing was on their website as claimed, but Ed eventually gave me a different external link. During the application, I received multiple contacts from Ed asking me repeat questions, with an ulterior motive urging me to pay ASAP. Other housing groups usually don’t hound customers like this since it’s a first-come-first-serve industry. Out of desperation, I regrettably brushed this off too and paid the fee. Considering his group claims to help make things affordable for the community, the application fee was a bit steeper than other apartment applications. I was told it would cover the background and credit checks, but I later found out it didn’t.
The interview was scheduled late in the month, close to the move date. When I asked if it could be sooner, Ed once again acted as if that were a weird and inconvenient question. Fearful of ruining a false opportunity, I reluctantly obliged.
My spouse and I arrived at the interview early, but the gate was locked and no one was answering. A lady eventually came out to get us 10 minutes late, claiming they were waiting for us. I brushed that off too. Inside, all of the interviewers were either related or best friends - nepotism. Some of them tried silently speaking or holding notes to each other across the room hoping we wouldn’t notice, but my spouse caught them. They used promising language and hopeful statements to lead us on, such as, “I look forward to having you as my neighbor!” But the overall vibe was very culty. At the end, they asked us for IDs and other info, claiming that we didn’t submit them. We already submitted them with the application which was mandatory to get the interview in the first place. There was no way they could ‘ve already completed a background and credit check without that info. Our credit monitoring program also indicated nothing had been checked during that time frame. They eventually bid us farewell with more hopeful statements.
Immediately the following morning, Ed contacted me with a short, cold rejection. It was just one sentence, no explanation. It was the end of the month with little time to scramble, and they didn’t care that they screwed us. We had other places lined up, but we had to put them on hold while waiting for Friends Housing, our top choice. Luckily we arranged something else last minute. If it sounds too good to be true, it is! LESSON LEARNED. Please don’t fall for this sham!