# Surrender your driver's license to tour apartment complex: Is this common? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 18, 2011, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633 "2011-12-18T13:17:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/61 "2011-12-19T22:08:56Z")
It seems like, if security were the issue, a photocopy would better serve the purpose. They can keep the photocopy. If someone were casing the joint to burgle later, a photocopy which they keep would be more of a deterrent than a driver’s license that they hand back to you. The only reason I can think of for keeping the actual driver’s license, as opposed to a photocopy is, as others have said, to make if more difficult for you to walk out on the sales pitch. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/62 "2011-12-19T22:19:18Z")
New Jersey; I’ve encountered it more than once. It makes sense to me. And I trust people in general. So, no big deal. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/63 "2011-12-20T13:15:49Z")
How does it make sense? I would never give up my ID just to tour a place to rent, it’s not theirs to take. I’ve let them make photocopies before, that’s fine. I assumed that the copy was to make it easier to do the background check later. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/64 "2011-12-20T13:24:47Z")
I hated it, but it’s pretty standard practice in Orlando IME. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/65 "2011-12-20T13:35:46Z")
Never heard of it and would never, ever surrender my driver’s license to a private concern. I’d let them take a photocopy of it, perhaps. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/66 "2011-12-20T18:10:19Z")
Regional data point. Pacific Northwest renter for 30 years at a total of over a dozen different places. Not once have I ever been asked to hand over ID to tour a place. A couple of times for a photocopy for a credit check, but that’s it. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/67 "2011-12-20T19:02:36Z")
Because I could be a master thief or mad rapist, but document forgery is unthinkable. ---
**Author:** ![Morelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Morelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morelin)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/68 "2011-12-20T21:37:42Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > Regional data point. > > Pacific Northwest renter for 30 years at a total of over a dozen different places. Not once have I ever been asked to hand over ID to tour a place. A couple of times for a photocopy for a credit check, but that’s it. Every place I looked at in downtown Seattle asked for ID. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/69 "2011-12-20T22:07:22Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I wouldn’t mind the photocopy, but why the hell does anyone surrender their license, to be locked away from them by a stranger? I’ve done it. I’m not exactly _happy_ about it, but I don’t see that it’s worth not looking at an apartment over. I’m not saying that people who refuse to do so are wrong, just that they have different priorities than I do. What’s the worst that could happen? If they refuse to give it back, I call the police, then go get a new one. It’s a minor inconvenience, not an issue of freedom of movement. It’s not like my car won’t start without my driver’s license. I’m much more nervous about handing over my passport in foreign countries, but I’ve done that too (after much arguing). The risk there is much greater, but so is the payoff. When you’re tired and somewhere unfamiliar and they won’t let you check into the hotel without turning over your passport, you don’t have a lot of other options besides sleeping in the street. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/70 "2011-12-20T22:13:19Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Because of course if you’re going to rape and kill the apartment manager, there’s zero chance you’ll just grab the keys off her dead body, walk back to the office and take back your driver’s license. But, at least, they have slowed down your escape time and forced you to leave an even bigger forensic trail behind, so it is still a check in the plus column. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/71 "2011-12-20T23:00:33Z")
Ixnay on the photocopies! The machines contain hard drives. [**This CBC News report**](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/19/eveningnews/main6412439.shtml) will leave you shocked and appalled. ---
**Author:** ![userfriendly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e19adc/32.png) [@userfriendly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/userfriendly)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/72 "2012-09-29T20:44:52Z")
I have had to move frequently for my job over the past 40 years and this is normal practice in TX, CA, NV, OR and AZ. I have not had any issues at all. I would rather they hold it in the office and give it back than to make a copy of it. I don’t think they do that anymore due to fraud concerns. No need to freak out. They have to protect themselves and treat everyone the same by law. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/73 "2012-09-30T00:26:44Z")
> [@VunderBob](#): > > Happened at every complex I’ve toured going back to the mid 80s. It’s a security measure, in case you’re a mad rapist and attack the tour guide. This. Purely and simply. Some places even have you leave a fingerprint. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/74 "2012-09-30T02:02:25Z")
When I was in college, I don’t think I ever experienced this. When I got a job afterwards all the complexes I looked at (at least 3) had this policy. I didn’t think it was controversial, what were they going to do with my ID anyway. I figured it was in case I attacked the person (who was always a woman, although usually not an attractive one) showing me the apartments. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/75 "2012-09-30T02:04:41Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > Because I could be a master thief or mad rapist, but document forgery is unthinkable. Ah, Mr McLovin, let me show you our apartments. ---
**Author:** ![zhoen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c4cdca/32.png) [@zhoen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zhoen)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/76 "2012-09-30T23:02:06Z")
Happened in Boston, happened in the one large, professionally managed apartment building we eventually rented from in Salt Lake City. Didn’t get sales pressure at all, seemed to just mean we were serious and would behave during the tour, same for everyone - not just the sketchy folks. Management didn’t leave it to the assistant managers to decide if someone walking in off the street was scary or not, and I suspect asking to hold ID keeps a lot of the odder sort away. Protects the staff, no big deal, nothing done with it just locked in a drawer for a half hour then given back. I’d have refused making a copy - since they could keep that on file. ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/77 "2012-09-30T23:08:04Z")
I have never heard of this before, but I do live in a small city and in a very low crime area of town. ---
**Author:** ![WhyWhyWhy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whywhywhy/32/7539_2.png) [@WhyWhyWhy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyWhyWhy)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/78 "2012-09-30T23:22:38Z")
> [@zhoen](#): > > Happened in Boston, happened in the one large, professionally managed apartment building we eventually rented from in Salt Lake City. Didn’t get sales pressure at all, seemed to just mean we were serious and would behave during the tour, same for everyone - not just the sketchy folks. Management didn’t leave it to the assistant managers to decide if someone walking in off the street was scary or not, and I suspect asking to hold ID keeps a lot of the odder sort away. > > Protects the staff, no big deal, nothing done with it just locked in a drawer for a half hour then given back. > > I’d have refused making a copy - since they could keep that on file. And in half an hour…they could have made hundreds of copies. ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/79 "2012-09-30T23:32:41Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > When I was in college, I don’t think I ever experienced this. When I got a job afterwards all the complexes I looked at (at least 3) had this policy. I didn’t think it was controversial, what were they going to do with my ID anyway. I figured it was in case I attacked the person (who was always a woman, although usually not an attractive one) showing me the apartments. Well gosh I guess those apartment complexes were even smarter on security. They hired unattractive women because who would want to rape them? ---
**Author:** ![Pyper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pyper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyper)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633/80 "2012-09-30T23:34:08Z")
Wow, I’ve never heard of this. I live in Los Angeles, and frequently nobody even shows up to give you a tour. They either a) leave the empty apartment unlocked and you enter and give yourself a tour, b) there is an electronic lock on the door and they give you a code, or c) you get the key from a neighbor. Of course, many apartments in L.A. open directly to the outside with no surrounding gate, so it’s easier to enter. But still, nobody seems concerned. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surrender-your-drivers-license-to-tour-apartment-complex-is-this-common/606633.md?page=5)