On With The Fight

I didn’t receive any paperwork from our former apartments confirming our account was cleared, so I called to verify, and was told that although they would waive all the bogus charges, they were going to keep our security deposit.  Granted, our Move-Out Condition form had noted only the same carpet stains that had been recorded when we moved in, plus a note confirming that we had shampooed the carpet ourselves.  But they still insisted that additional cleaning was needed (no documentation or specifics required), and they had a right to keep our deposit.  I’ve been going back and forth with them for two weeks, asking for them to provide some proof of damage that we caused to that apartment beyond normal wear and tear, or show me where in the lease it specifies that we are responsible for paying for professional cleaning services, regardless of how well we cleaned when we left.  Of course it’s not in the lease, but it’s “implied”, and they won’t budge.

 

The apartment manager told me, “I agree with you, but my hands are tied.  It’s corporate’s decision.”  When I asked for the number to the corporate office, she claimed she wasn’t allowed to give that out.  “So, you can’t play ball with me, but I’m not allowed to contact anyone who can?”  I asked.  “That’s just the way it is,” she said.   Well, I called in a free mediator from the city, but unfortunately, that got us nowhere fast.   I remembered a pre-paid legal service that our realtor had mentioned to me, so I called the representative and signed up, and then contacted the appropriate law firm today.  The lawyer asked me to fax over all documentation that I have, and he’ll write a letter for us. 

 

I also contacted a couple local newspapers, and a reporter called me back within hours, saying she had been writing a series of articles about unscrupulous apartment companies for the past several years, and was working on another one for next month. She wanted a copy of the extortion letter they sent us, our letters of complaint and photos, and possibly an interview.  Apparently there have been so many complaints in our city the past couple years, they approved a commission to investigate it, but it hasn’t gotten off the ground yet.  I told her I’d be happy to help in any way I could. 

 

Why all this fight over $100?  Is it worth it?  Not for the money, no.  But for every tenant living in their slums who barely speaks English and doesn’t know their rights, it’s worth it.  For every poor person they think they can get away with extorting because they don’t have the money to call a lawyer, it’s worth it.  If I can help hold them accountable for the despicable way they treat decent people, and help prevent it from happening to others, it’s worth it.