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.
New Jersey; I’ve encountered it more than once. It makes sense to me. And I trust people in general. So, no big deal.
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.
I hated it, but it’s pretty standard practice in Orlando IME.
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.
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.
Because I could be a master thief or mad rapist, but document forgery is unthinkable.
Every place I looked at in downtown Seattle asked for ID.
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.
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.
Ixnay on the photocopies! The machines contain hard drives.
This CBC News report will leave you shocked and appalled.
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.
This. Purely and simply. Some places even have you leave a fingerprint.
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.
Ah, Mr McLovin, let me show you our apartments.
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.
I have never heard of this before, but I do live in a small city and in a very low crime area of town.
And in half an hour…they could have made hundreds of copies.
Well gosh I guess those apartment complexes were even smarter on security. They hired unattractive women because who would want to rape them?
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.