I recently signed a lease and paid $850 for amenities and security deposit for an apartment. Today they called me back and said that the person in the apartment I was supposed to move into decided they were going to stay. Now they are telling me I cannot move into the apartment and don't know if they can honor the monthly rental price we signed. Is the company allowed to do this? What can I do about this?

... Is the company allowed to do this? ...

It appears to be beyond the company's control. If the current tenant refuses to leave, there are steps the landlord must take in order to evict the tenant. It takes time.


... What can I do about this?

Demand that they put you up in a hotel or somewhere until they can put you in possession. And also ask for your other expenses caused by this delay. They, in turn, can sue the old tenant for these expenses, but that is not your problem.

Would they be able to turn around and say they don't want to go through that trouble and negate our lease?

No, not legally. They could offer you a settlement or another unit but you'd have to be in agreement with either