Transfer Fee (apartment complex, lease, tenants)

[SlimShadyCatDaddy]

I currently live in a 2 bedroom and plan to live here until my lease is up. When the lease is up, I want to move into a 4 bedroom within the same complex. They are asking for a transfer fee of 250 dollars though. I was wondering if this transfer fee still applies even though I am not breaking my lease. Basically, I will be signing an entirely new lease for a different room. Any help is appreciated thanks!

[Pagusas]

Will the transfer fee wave the need for a deposit and any other moving in fees you'd have by renting it as a new customer?

[SlimShadyCatDaddy]

I went today to ask questions and they said I should talk to management, so I'm not sure on that. At this point though no, I don't think so. I think I would still have to pay a deposit, and this transfer fee is non-refundable apparently.

[WorldKlas]

That's totally ridiculous. That means they will treat you worse than a brand new tenant?

[turf3]

Well, as a matter of principle it seems that apartment complexes tend to treat long term tenants worse than new ones, I don't understand why. When you move out they have to do a big cleanup, repaint, etc., when you stay in one place they don't have to do anything. (I know, your case is a little different because they will have to repaint, clean, etc., your former apartment, but they have to do that anytime a tenant leaves, and they don't charge you $250 to leave the complex and move out altogether.)

Unless you are truly stuck for a place to live (like you live in a weird place where these are the only apartments for miles), it sounds like it may be time to play hardball. Tell them something like "well, if you can't waive this fee, I won't be moving from one apartment to another within your complex, I'll be moving out altogether. It will cost you way more than $250 to re-rent the apartment to someone else. Do you think you would like to reconsider?" Of course you have to be prepared actually to move out, if you use this strategy.

I've never been overly impressed with the business acumen of apartment complex managers.

[jdallas]

Originally Posted by turf3

It will cost you way more than $250 to re-rent the apartment to someone else. Do you think you would like to reconsider

In today's market, they will likely make that up in the first month with increased rent for the same apartment.

[turf3]

Yeah, yeah, "today's market - schmoday's market" - always someone's excuse for overcharging on anything associated with housing.

Call their bluff and see if they blink. (But only if you're prepared to move.)

[SlimShadyCatDaddy]

Okay figured it out! I went there and argued about it basically and they ended up waiving it. So I mean, it's ridiculous that they tried to charge it in my opinion but they waived it so it worked out. It was definitely just a way to get more money out of me because when I asked what this fee would be going towards I was told cleaning and administrative fees. As a person who has seen their cleaning, it is not worth $250. Oh well, it ended fine. thanks for all the help! I really needed to hear more opinions about it to make sure it wasn't just me making a deal out of nothing!

[isabella_bee]

I'm in the same situation. I think the transfer fee is to keep people from apartment hopping frequently. You're really lucky, there's no way they would waive the transfer fee here.