I am attempting to see a complex that I know has vacancies, but the sales rep for the landlord is not returning my calls---even though his receptionist has acknowledged that they have received my application.

I have left numerous messages, but still no response.
The apartments are in high demand, and I have a gut feeling that perhaps there might be favoritism going on for a select few.
Hence, if and when I hear from him, my fear is that all the units will be gone.

Is there some type of agency that I can seek out to monitor this situation, basically, to ensure that the sales rep is working in earnest for all applicants and is not sandbagging, nor waiting for an under the table deal?

There isn't an agency that monitors " in earnest" activity or "under the table" pay offs.

A landlord or sales rep is under no obligation to rent on a "first come, first served" basis. They can rent to whomever they want to as long as their decision is not based upon a discriminatory practice. They will rent to whoever they feel has the best credit references or simply because their cousin is looking for a place to live.

If you feel that the sales rep is getting paid under the table from applicants, you will need proof, such as the sales rep asking you for money, or a tenant willing to come forward to corroborate that this has been done. With that, you can contact the State Attorney General's office and file a complaint. If you are considered a minority or disabled, and feel that you are not being given a fair shake due to discrimination, then again, you can contact your State Attorney General's office and file a complaint. But, make sure that you can provide information that will back up your claims.

Unless they are not renting because of race, religion, sex and the other protected class. Sorry, they can have favorites, rent to friends first and so on, if they want to.

You can file a complaint with the property owner but that is about it.

The first thought that comes to mind is that if they're being this difficult and suspicious and you've only just applied to live there imagine what it would be like to try to deal with them if you lived there and a problem arose... why would you want to deal with people like that? Why would you want to pay money to people who treated you like that?

Just a thought.
Karla in TX