As most of you know, I am moving in a few weeks. We have hit a bit of a snag with the apartment complex. We have already paid our security deposit and have signed papers stating what we owe upon moving in (first month's rent). They have cashed our checks for the security depsosit.
Yesterday, I got a phone call from them, telling me that due to the credit checks that they did, that they want us to pay an additional month's rent for security deposit. How can they do this when we already have signed papers stating the amount owed and were never told that we may have to pay two security deposits. This seems very arbitrary to me, as if they are making up rules as they go along. I have never had a problem with getting an apartment, paying rent, breaking a lease or anything. I've never needed a co-signer or been told that I need to pay a double security deposit.
What can I do? I can't really afford to cough up yet another security deposit when I've already paid one to this place! Help, please!
this sounds kind of shady to me. i would probably either ask for my money back because they are asking things not mentioned before, or stand ground that this is the amount you all agreed on. (especially since it is signed on a legally binding document!)
that seems really weird. don't they usually run your credit check before they even let you see the lease? I meant, if there was a problem, they def. should have known before you signed anything. I wouldn't pay it. You signed a legal contract and should not be forced to pay more than states in it.
Dealing with landlords and brokers can be so so frustrating.
I have heard of landlords requiring a higher security deposit based on the tenant's financial background however they should have finished running your background check and figured this out before they told you how much the deposit would be and before they had you sign the papers.
First I think you should try to tell them that you have already agreed on X amount and you have signed the papers and you refuse to pay anything more than what has already been specified and that it is their problem if they didn't review the credit reports earlier. Definitely don't tell them that you can't afford the additional month's rent but say that if they refuse to go along with the original agreement you will not take the apartment. If they insist on getting the extra month's rent then demand that they release you from the lease and get your money back.
Dealing with landlords and brokers can be so so frustrating. I have heard of landlords requiring a higher security deposit based on the tenant's financial background however they should have finished running your background check and figured this out before they told you how much the deposit would be and before they had you sign the papers. First I think you should try to tell them that you have already agreed on X amount and you have signed the papers and you refuse to pay anything more than what has already been specified and that it is their problem if they didn't review the credit reports earlier. Definitely don't tell them that you can't afford the additional month's rent but say that if they refuse to go along with the original agreement you will not take the apartment. If they insist on getting the extra month's rent then demand that they release you from the lease and get your money back.
Here is what I just e-mailed to them:
"I'm a little concerned and confused as to why we are being told that we owe more money. We had already paid our security desposit and also have signed papers (by us and you) stating the remaining amount owed. We were never told, either verbally or in writing, that there was a possibility of owing more money. If this was a possibility, why were we not told? Upon examining the documents, I haven't found anything in there that states that we may owe an additional security deposit.
If necessary, you may contact two other previous landlords, where you will find that I have never been an irresponsible tenant, broken a lease or needed a co-signer. They are... I rented there from...
I can be reached via e-mail or by phone at xxx-xxx-xxxx.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely, Christie"
Did that sound okay? They haven't responded yet. I also called and spoke with an assistant yesterday and they said they would get back to me and have failed to do so thus far.
Hmmm...that is def. weird. You're moving in with some other people though, aren't you? Are any of them listed on the contract? If so, then maybe they had some sketchy renting history. If not, then it sounds like they're trying to scam some money off of you. I think what you wrote is very appropriate. If they signed the contract, then they have no right to charge you more.
Hmmm...that is def. weird. You're moving in with some other people though, aren't you? Are any of them listed on the contract? If so, then maybe they had some sketchy renting history. If not, then it sounds like they're trying to scam some money off of you. I think what you wrote is very appropriate. If they signed the contract, then they have no right to charge you more.
Yeah, there are two other people. I know that the one roommate has needed a co-signer in the past, but I think that's just b/c she's young. It just doesn't seem right to me. I'll keep you posted.
I just got a response from them. Our leasing agent said that they are discussing the situation with the property manager and that she (the leasing agent) agrees with me. Hopefully, the property manager will tell us that we don't have to pay more money.
This doesn't sound right at all. If there was any possibility of you oweing more upon credit checks that should have been stated in the documents you signed and you would have been told before the signing, not after. It's the complexes bad for not checking before you paid and signed. They are too late if they were wanting you to pay more.
These stupid f*$(ers are still trying to tell me that I owe them more money. So, I'm not moving there. It's all too shady for me. So, now I have no place to live two weeks from now. I'm so upset. I seriously can't take anymore crap. The job, the bf, the car, the living situation. Seriously, I'm going to have a breakdown.