I'll try to make this LONG story as short as possible...
Friday - The deal fell through at the last minute on a condo that I was attempting to purchase.
Saturday (moving day) - I had to vacate my apt as scheduled b/c they had leased the unit already. After numerous phone calls, I finally found a complex with units available for immediate move-in. I specifically asked for a walk-in level unit b/c I have a disability; the leasing agent gave me the unit number and told me to drive around there to see if it was acceptable. Even though I didn't get to look inside, I decided to fill out all of the paperwork that day and paid the application fee by money order and the prorated rent, security deposit, and pet deposit by check.
The leasing agent called me and said that the unit was not available after all...but there was another unit a few bldgs down. She said that it, too, was a walk-in level. She told me that I would have to get the lights and gas turned on before she could give me the keys. But the gas company was closed on the weekends. She gave me the keys anyway and told me be sure to drop the inspection sheet in the drop box...and to call or email her Monday morning with the gas account number...or she would be in trouble with the manager. I was to get a copy of the lease at that point.
Sunday - The first thing I noticed was the two high steps (on a downward slope) at the front of the bldg. It was difficult for me to maneuver, so I limited my trips outside. And there were roaches in the kitchen (including the inside of the fridge) and bathrooms. There were even dead ones that had been smashed against the doorway and painted over! That's when I realized that she had not given me the inspection sheet to fill out.
I couldn't get in touch with the leasing agent b/c she was not in the office. Having nowhere else to go, I had my things moved in. I spent the night in a hotel room with my dogs.
Monday - I took the day off work and found a smaller, much nicer apt. I called the leasing agent and informed her that I would be moving out that evening. I reminded her of our conversation about my needs and explained that the apt. she moved me to was too difficult for me to get in and out of. She said she would have to speak with her mgr and give me a call back. I moved out that evening/night...never heard back from the leasing agent.
Tuesday - I dropped the keys (with my new address written on the envelope) off at the complex on my way to work. Actually, the maint. guy was standing there with the office door open, so I gave the keys to him. I watched him place the envelope on the leasing agent's desk before I left.
I kept trying to contact the leasing agent, but I never got a response. So I stopped payment on the 3 checks that I had written.
It's been 6 weeks since all this happened...
I got a call from a collections agency the other day re: the other apt. complex. They're saying that I owe rent for 19 days!
I don't feel that I owe them anything. But...do I? I know that there's a 72-hour period to change your mind after paying the security deposit...is there such a time period to change your mind after signing the lease?
Thank you.
Friday - The deal fell through at the last minute on a condo that I was attempting to purchase.
Saturday (moving day) - I had to vacate my apt as scheduled b/c they had leased the unit already. After numerous phone calls, I finally found a complex with units available for immediate move-in. I specifically asked for a walk-in level unit b/c I have a disability; the leasing agent gave me the unit number and told me to drive around there to see if it was acceptable. Even though I didn't get to look inside, I decided to fill out all of the paperwork that day and paid the application fee by money order and the prorated rent, security deposit, and pet deposit by check.
The leasing agent called me and said that the unit was not available after all...but there was another unit a few bldgs down. She said that it, too, was a walk-in level. She told me that I would have to get the lights and gas turned on before she could give me the keys. But the gas company was closed on the weekends. She gave me the keys anyway and told me be sure to drop the inspection sheet in the drop box...and to call or email her Monday morning with the gas account number...or she would be in trouble with the manager. I was to get a copy of the lease at that point.
Sunday - The first thing I noticed was the two high steps (on a downward slope) at the front of the bldg. It was difficult for me to maneuver, so I limited my trips outside. And there were roaches in the kitchen (including the inside of the fridge) and bathrooms. There were even dead ones that had been smashed against the doorway and painted over! That's when I realized that she had not given me the inspection sheet to fill out.
I couldn't get in touch with the leasing agent b/c she was not in the office. Having nowhere else to go, I had my things moved in. I spent the night in a hotel room with my dogs.
Monday - I took the day off work and found a smaller, much nicer apt. I called the leasing agent and informed her that I would be moving out that evening. I reminded her of our conversation about my needs and explained that the apt. she moved me to was too difficult for me to get in and out of. She said she would have to speak with her mgr and give me a call back. I moved out that evening/night...never heard back from the leasing agent.
Tuesday - I dropped the keys (with my new address written on the envelope) off at the complex on my way to work. Actually, the maint. guy was standing there with the office door open, so I gave the keys to him. I watched him place the envelope on the leasing agent's desk before I left.
I kept trying to contact the leasing agent, but I never got a response. So I stopped payment on the 3 checks that I had written.
It's been 6 weeks since all this happened...
I got a call from a collections agency the other day re: the other apt. complex. They're saying that I owe rent for 19 days!
I don't feel that I owe them anything. But...do I? I know that there's a 72-hour period to change your mind after paying the security deposit...is there such a time period to change your mind after signing the lease?
Thank you.
