<prompt> Human: Hello all,My SO and I recently submitted applications for an apartment that only she has viewed. Our potential landlord would like for me to see the place before moving further with the process. I spoke with him yesterday and set up an appointment for this evening at 7. A few things have occurred that seem like red flags to me:1. The landlord wants the first months rent before he will run our applications. He claims this is to make sure were serious and that if we are not approved he will refund the money. I offered to pay an application fee but he wasnt willing to go that route.2. The shared laundry in the building is broken and he says it will be fixed eventually. I would assume it should take no time to have the broken appliance fixed or replaced but he was vague with the answer. 3. The price of the listing was less than what he told my GF it would be while she was viewing.I dont know if the upfront rent is common practice anywhere as its never been a requirement when Ive rented other apartments. Has this been anyone elsess experience? If it is a usual practice what is the safest way to go about giving him the money? I dont have checks, should I go to my bank? Is the broken laundry a signal that future repairs could take a long time to be addressed by this landlord? Thanks for any insight.EDIT:Thanks for all of the responses! I viewed the apartment and voiced my concerns with the landlord. The months rent that he wanted was the security deposit to hold the apartment for us. We had a bit of a miscommunication, he is older and does not speak perfect English.I talked him into waiving that step and for us to pay the security deposit at lease signing. I originally found the apartment on zillow and there were no pictures of the inside. His story is that the apartment listing was for his last opening in the building for a smaller unit. When he reposted the ad he forgot to change the asking price. He does not seem tech savvy. Nothing was listed about the laundry so it wasnt a selling point and we werent expecting it. He says that he is in the middle of a divorce and does not want to put a large amount of money into the apartment that isnt for an essential function. Though he claims to be very quick with all other maintenance. I briefly spoke with the current tenant, she was upbeat and friendly but I didnt get a chance to speak to her alone to ask about the landlord. She did seem to be on very good terms with him however. The apartment was very nice and well taken care of. The landscaping was also very well done and he says he does it all himself. Sorry that was so much reading! Does this still seem too sketchy?Thanks again!  <response>: Thats not a landlord you want to be in any sort of contract with. 