Context: I'm a young guy living in Maine, in the US.
Hey guys, might end up being a long post, but I need help. About a month ago, I met a property manager, speaking on behalf of the landlord. We will call him Bob. Bob seemed like a very nice guy, and the apartment was kind of shabby, but we decided we would take it. We didn't have the money up front, but he said it was fine, just pay 300 dollars for a holding fee.
We wrote out a check for the 300 dollar holding fee, and he gave us the receipt. We made a verbal agreement, nothing in writing(stupid!) That we would have the money by our move in date, which was may 25th. Fast forward two weeks after we paid our holding fee, Bob says the holding fee is not enough, and that the landlord needs more money. Alarm bells, but I need housing. We give him 1500 for first months rent and signed our lease. He says we can move in, and that we will arrange a way to pay the security later. We are very thankful. He gives us the keys and we signed the lease. He said he would give us the signed copy of the lease and a receipt for the 1500.
Fast forward to 3 days later. Bob calls and apologizes and says that the landlord has someone lined up who can pay up front immediately. I ask for a refund. He gives me the 1500 check I gave him, uncashed. I ask for the 300 back as well. He says "sorry, it's non refundable." I say okay and start collecting data to bring to the police. I asked Bob personally for a copy of our lease, he ignored me. I asked the landlord for a copy of our lease, and she says the receipt is all I need. Any advice on how to get my money back? Am I barking up the wrong tree, or did this lady just steal 300 dollars from me?
Submitted April 18, 2024 at 01:47AM by frothite https://ift.tt/KukEJIH
