Out of state apartment company will not stand behind their local managers
This is a multiple part problem and I will do my best to make it clear. I signed a 13 month lease on an apartment in Dallas at $869 mo. The refundable deposit was $765, $100 admin fee (non-refundable) with 30 day move-out notice. At that time the manager stated that after six months I could move to another apartment if I needed more room for me and my two kids. After seven months a larger, better apartment became available at $914 mo. So after I move everything in, transfer the electric and internet services and drop off the old apartment keys the same apartment manager informs me I must sign a new 12 month lease, pay a $100 administrative fee, a $350 transfer fee both are non-refundable. What a surprise! She says it’s standard policy from the home office in Nebraska. I had not been NOT informed of ANY fees to move from one apartment to another within the same complex or to sign a new 12 month lease. I reluctantly pay the $100 fee and sign a new 12 month lease however, I refused to pay the $350.
Now the 12 month lease has ended February 28, 09 . I verbally informed the new apartment manager that I would like to renew at the agreed upon increased rate of $949 mo. No problem says the new manager. However, as you can now guess I am later told that the renewal lease will be at an even much higher rate. The home office will not sign off on a new lease with me until the balance of $350 is paid. Being on an extremely tight budget I simply can not pay the $350 so no lease gets signed for the month of March and now they want me to pay the month to month rent of $1200! I do give them a check for March at the new $949 rate.
I spoke directly with the home office in Nebraska last week and if I pay the $350 they will waive the $1,200 month to month rent and I can dispute the $350 but it takes 2-3 weeks for their board to meet and since it was from last May they said basically don’t hold your breath. Also, the home office informed me that beginning 1 April 09 they will require a 60 day move-out notice.
My head spins when I read the TAA (Texas Apartment Association) contract as I realize they have a lot of my money and I have a contract that repeatedly states verbal agreements by their representatives are unenforceable. I followed the information I was given by the “manager of the day” but the home office will not stand behind them.
I have located a comparable apartment less than a mile away for $880 with only $100 deposit and $25 admin fee.
I feel like I am being extorted! I either pay the $350 and sign an unreasonable higher rent rate, or if I refuse I will lose my deposits ($795 + $300 pet deposit) and be charged the month to month rate which would leave me with zero money for two weeks. If I give them a 30 day notice to move out by April 1st I still get stuck with the March and April $1209 rent payments. I do realize I let the $350 go without addressing it head on however, I did NOT create this problem as the home office does not stand behind their local managers. This is a common problem with this out of state company. I must decide in the next several days to go or stay.
I have bought two houses in the past without this much trouble. Thanks for your help on this problem.