Advertising an apartment, my experience

[john70t]

I signed up on two major websites. Let's call them Z/T/HP and A, and I had used them in the past.
Things changed since then, to say the least.

1). Both were chock-full of superfluous required java script to even function basically.
Googleanalytics was foremost, but also Facebook, Twitter, Stripe, etc, etc, etc.
Wow I had to accept the entire online world. Everyone knows my business now.

2). Both required simultaneous loggin with my email. I think that might be a potential cross-scripting security risk, but idk.
I know secondary authentication can be needed these days but my account was many years old and my information already verified.

3). I performed a brief search before re-activating to see if my photos were still online.
A had none, but Z still had them available on the web from years before.
This might be a security issue for someone that doesn't want the world looking inside their empty place with the layout (i.e. what rooms are being occupied).

4). I got an email from Z saying that an application had been completed, a background check had been performed, and the applicant was ready to move in now.
Wait......What_The_Fing_F???
I did not sign up for or authorize any of that.
They basically took over my business.

5). I click on this Z email and want to view this "completed application".
That sent me to a page demanding agreement to a credit check on me for verification.
Wait....What???

6). Then I received phone calls from other applicants ported through Z's phone system.
The first announcement was "This call is being recorded".
I responded "I do not consent to being recorded".
I asked applicants to call me directly.

7). I interview a nice tenant with all the specs and go back to de-list my advertisement.
I sign in to Z, and there on the website is a nice recording of me not consenting to being recorded, which is in violation of https://recordinglaw.com/party-two-party-consent-states/michigan-recording-laws/

note: You should always keep in mind that, given enough bio-metric and personal data, anyone evil enough could potentially use spoofing software to permanently alter business relationships. They could leave nasty messages to other people with your voice or change schedules or say offensive things etc. Companies are now scooping up information as fast as they can. That includes Zoom, Discord, Apple, and an entire slew of companies. Enough information is already out there. In this day of Covid and travel expense, the world is developing towards a remote electronic communication society. This will be an increasingly-growing concern in the future which has never been addressed by Congressional Law.

[McLovin]

Those sites these days really push you to their system where people (anybody) can submit completed applications (including with credit checks) to you.
It’s the default setting.
I never do that, and don’t recommend it, for a variety of reasons, both legal and practical.
So when you’re setting up the ad, just be sure to opt out of it. Only send applications to people you’ve already done some initial vetting on.

[masraum]

Wow, crazy. I wouldn't want to do business with them.