refund coming? (apartment complex, leasing agent, credit card)

[refundcoming?]

I made an application at a local apartment complex - it was approved and I was all set to come in later in the week to sign the lease and pay the balance due.

The next day I called the leasing agent and told her I did not want the apartment - withdrawing my application. I knew I would lose some money - but not that much.

How long do they have to return the funds to me. They ran my credit card on the day I made application. Been 2 weeks now and no credit. How long can they drag this out?

Thanks.

[seaclairerun]

What did you pay for? The security deposit and first month?

[rabagley]

Complain to your credit card company. Get them to start harassing for you and building a paper trail that you contest the unrefunded charges. Do this immediately so that you don't have to pay for interest on the charges while it gets worked out.

When you call anyone from now on, keep track of when you called, who you spoke with (first and last name), and any pertinent information (if your CC provides you a dispute record #, write it down).

Good luck.

[AlohaHuey]

Originally Posted by seaclairerun

What did you pay for? The security deposit and first month?

Without a signed lease, they cannot legitimately charge for anything beyond the credit check/application fees.

[Xanathos]

Yeah, I'm a little unclear on what exactly he's asking for a refund of. The credit check and application is non-refundable. You're paying them the money so they can pay the background check company to run your information. Just because you change your mind doesn't mean they don't have to pay the background check company, or that you don't have to pay them.

[brandonbrinegar]

Originally Posted by Xanathos

Yeah, I'm a little unclear on what exactly he's asking for a refund of. The credit check and application is non-refundable. You're paying them the money so they can pay the background check company to run your information. Just because you change your mind doesn't mean they don't have to pay the background check company, or that you don't have to pay them.

Xanathos is right...in the rental markets when you pay an application fee to apply and then you decide to back out - that is not refundable. Also if you pay the application fee and then put down a performance deposit to hold the unit and then back out - they don't have to refund that holding deposit as that becomes liquidated damages (similar to forfeiting earnest money).