[RBS] Question about renting

[The Jerenbergs]

Have a cousin who wants to rent an apt. in Nof Ayalon. THe landlord is 
asking for the following:

In addition to giving him 11 postdated checks and the first month rent, he 
wants the equivalent of the entire year's rent ( yes,the entire year's rent) 
as a security check which would be returned if the apt is left undamaged.(So 
he will have in his hand double the amount of rent)
He also wants a blank signed check for utilities.

I haven’t rented in Israel in over 20 years, B”H. Are these normal demands? 
They sound unreasonable to me. I know of giving ONE month’s rent as a 
security in case of damages – not a year’s worth. And since I remember 
paying my own utility bills, how can he ask for blank ones??

Would appreciate any and all input.
Batya Jerenberg