Anyone ever rented from Charles Birdoff management?

I'm about to sign a new lease on a place rented by Charles Birdoff and Co.

Anyone have any experience working with this management group?

Also, does requiring first, last, and security up front sound legit?

I had a landlord once who asked that of me (I stupidly gave it to her) and she actually admitted afterward that she had done it to give herself more cash flow. I will never give up that much money on a move in again. Really, a landlord does not need that. They have security, they have first month's rent, above and beyond that is absurd. It also reeks of mistrust. How about the landlords give the tenants some security? Like security from them being jerks? Security that things will get fixed when they break?

First, last, and security isn't unheard of (but technically illegal on a rent stabilized place).

Thanks for your replies...

So, do you think it would be appropriate to call them out on that being illegal? I don't want to start off on the wrong foot but I also do not want to shell out that much money if it's not necessary to do so.

However, seeing as how I have not signed on the place, it is a decent place in a desired location, and it is rent stabalized, it would probably be easy for them to just say "Well, too bad, we'll find someone else to rent who WILL pay us the extra amount."

Thoughts?

Subject: First month, security deposit, AND last month?

Is it legit for a landlord to ask for all of these up front? I am receiving mixed reviews...

That sounds like a landlord who has been burned by tenants who skulked off without paying the last month's rent, and who maybe had damaged the apartment as well.

yes.

but it's a depression, so maybe you can talk the landlord down a bit.

I've always found that to be standard operating procedure. First, Last & Security. Been renting in Brooklyn for more than 20 years.

i haven't rented in a lot of years, but, i always heard that as standard also

I've always paid first/last & security. But I've never lived in rent stabilized.

Just make sure no matter what you do that the total amount you paid as a deposit is written on the lease. (There's usually a space for it to be filled in.)

fairly standard actually -- it's printed on to the boilerplate leases sold at stationery stores. Didn't know that about rent stabilized, 'cause I was never so lucky.

tenant.net has really good boards for more detailed LL/renter info
http://www.tenant.net/nyc.html

MOD NOTE:
this topic is merged from several boards -- in the future please don't start the same thread on all the neighborhood boards.

I've rented 4 places in Brooklyn in 9 years, 1 rent stabilized and 3 not. None of the places required more than first month's rent and 1 month rent as a security deposit. If a potential landlord wanted first and last, I'd really have to think twice about the place - if for no other reason than that's a lot of cash upfront.

booklaw wrote: That sounds like a landlord who has been burned by tenants who skulked off without paying the last month's rent, and who maybe had damaged the apartment as well.

we had a 3 family and were burned from the get-go. It was easier selling the place than having to put up with the crazieness that went on in that building. never again!!!

Subject: renting from charles Birdoff and co

Run dont walk run run run worst management company !