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So about a month ago I applied and paid a deposit to 'hold' a room. I was told that after applying and paying the fee that the room would be mine, but I wouldn't be required to sign the lease until later on when I'm actually moving in. So I have not signed anything yet. However, my move in date is nearing and I'm speaking with the leasing office about getting the lease to sign and anything else they'll need before move in. I have in writing what the price is they quoted me and guaranteed me, and they are now saying that price is a mistake and it will be $50 higher. They are acknowledging the price they quoted me as well.
So my question is.. what do I do? I have a feeling without a lease they have no obligation to stick to the quoted price. But I can't just say yeah okay no problem I'll pay whatever you want! I haven't spoken with the manager yet, but I'm wondering if I can get any advice as to what I should say and if I have any type of real argument to make.
If I were in your shoes and I really wanted the place I would tell them that I will sign a lease for the price they quoted me and if they can't honor that price then I'll find something else and want my deposit returned in full, now. "Bait and switch" doesn't sit well with me!
If I were in your shoes and I really wanted the place I would tell them that I will sign a lease for the price they quoted me and if they can't honor that price then I'll find something else and want my deposit returned in full, now. "Bait and switch" doesn't sit well with me!
Yes. I'm incredibly angry right now. Whether they can legally do that or not, I don't know. But it's unprofessional and it's low. I would not have chosen the place otherwise because it was right on the high side of my budget as it was. Further, the price I was quoted was available for other rooms, which are 'no longer available'. However, I was the first there and the first to sign, and at the time could've freely chosen any room I wished had I been told that from the beginning.
I'm just so sick of all the bull **** and am not going to let them do it to me. The tough part is I do really want this place. It was the only place I saw that I truly was very excited about. So hopefully it doesn't have to come to me asking for my refund.
Thanks. That's how I go about things.. and I've gotten good at it with how much I've had to do this kind of crap lately. 99% of the time being polite and friendly whilst holding your ground will get the job done. Will update back.
Legally, can they change the price when you haven't signed a lease yet? Maybe, since there was no signed agreement. But also maybe not since you paid a deposit to hold a unit. What does your receipt/paperwork say for the hold?
But ethically, since you have something in writing that says the price and that you could have your choice of apartments x, y, or z, and now they aren't offering that, that is definitely a shady move.
Either way, I wouldn't let them push you around. Take what you have in writing and insist politely that they either honor it or give you your full deposit back, immediately. If they don't, I bet you have a local radio/news station that would love to do an "on your side" story about the landlord who uses such unethical practices.
Ok.. everything is back to good standing! Luckily, when I was applying there I made good friends with one of the leasing agents who has been great to me and I've been talking to since. As I was waiting for a call back from the manager I got a voicemail from the agent saying that she went in on her hands and knees and begged to have them correct it to my quoted price and she was successful. But the manager said 'I owe her'. Anyway, I called up the manager to thank her and she was very nice and explained the mistake and was actually joking around with me and incredibly friendly.
I was really worried that even if I was successful I'd be thought of as a 'problem' before I even moved in, but everyone there has been super nice and helpful. Glad this one turned out well.
Anyway, I called up the manager to thank her and she was very nice and explained the mistake and was actually joking around with me and incredibly friendly.
If you had a receipt for the holding deposit along with a price guarantee, they would have been fools to not honor it because in court a judge would have ordered them to honor it. They did you no favors and acted more like a politician evading the facts by actiung nice and sweet.
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