Adventures in Craigslist

I sent an email to this person asking when the apartment they posted was available and I got this message in return. Following it is the message I sent back.


Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:46:31 +0300
From: --
To: --
Subject: Re: Craigslist listing (2br rental)


Hello Dear ,

Thanks for your interested in my apartment.Thanks for your email and
it is my gladness to hearing from you.I am ,the owner of the house you
are making enquiry of.Actually I resided in the house with my
family,such as my wife and my only daugther before and presently we
had packed due to the Hiv/Aids workshop in the (united
state,georgia)presently my house is still available for rent for $900
including the utilities like hydro,washerand security,it is
furnised.Moreso Now, .Pls i want you to note that,i am a kind and
honest man and also i spent alot on my property that i want to give
you for rent,so i will solicit for your absolute mentenance of this
house and want you to treat it as your own,is that taken,it is not the
money the main problem but want you to keep it tidy all the time so
that i will be glad to see it neat when i come for a check up.i do
that once in a while.I also want you to let me have trust in you as i
always stand on my word.

THIS IS THE ADDRESS OF THE APARTMENT 60 W Latimer Ave Campbell, CA 95008
SO IF YOU ARE REALY INTRESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE
RENTAPPLICATIONS FORMS BELOW

RENT APPLICATION FORM
Also,Pls let me get this answer.
1)Your Full Name
2)Your Full Address & Phone Number
3)How old are you?
4)Are you married?
5)How many people will be living in the house?
6)Do you have a pet?
7)Do you have a car?
8)Occupation?
9)What is your religion?
10)Are you born again?
Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can
have it in my file incase of issuing the receipt for you and contacting
you.
Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the
document and the key to you,please we are giving you all this base on trust
and again i will want you to stick to your words,you know that,we do not
see yet and only putting everything into Gods hand,so please do not
let us down in this our property and God bless you more as you do this.
Thanks and you are welcome


----


Dear Sir,

Thank you very much for your reply email, but I feel there are some things I need to clarify:

Firstly, I have not yet said that I will be able to rent the apartment or that we have entered into any sort of agreement. I merely asked when the apartment would be available, which you have not answered in your email.

Secondly, while it is perfectly reasonable to expect your tenant to refrain from breaking or otherwise damaging the home, as the homeowner or landlord you are responsible for handling routine maintenance and paying for any costs associated with that maintenance. Requiring that the tenant keep the house neat and tidy at all times is not against any law that I know of, but may be an unreasonable expectation.

Lastly, questions 9 and 10 in the "rental application" section of this email are illegal under the Federal Fair Housing Act. Please refer to this link (http://www.craigslist.org/about/FHA.html) for more explanation.

My fiance and I will not be renting the apartment from you for the reasons stated above, but best of luck to you and your family in finding someone.