Realtor's office = complete scumbags

[SneakyStuff]

I made a post awhile back about my old college realtor and their shady practices of keeping large security deposits for no real reason, then blowing up charges to unreasonable amounts in order to charge more money. WELL low and behold they sent me a letter 2 weeks ago saying they were keeping my $360 deposit and requesting an additional $75 to "fix damages". They said this could be "reviewed" by contacting their office, which I have done multiple times in the form of fax and phone (6 attempts in total)... The problem is the person I have been instructed to speak with regarding the matter is always conveniently busy and never calls back. I have until the 15th of July to either pay or resolve this before they take me to a collection agency!!! What can I do to prove I have tried contacting them? This whole fiasco is wearing my patience thin because the charges are all bullshit to begin with, the faxed letter I drafted with the help of my father covers all the legal aspects and when combined with the dozens of pictures we took of the house before/after supports our claim very well. It doesn't do me any good though if they deny ever receiving it! What to do, what to do?'

edit: $360 + $75 was charged to each tenant (4 total)

 

[olds]

Certified letter

 

[Hacp]

Get a lawyer and inform them that you hired some legal help.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: Hacp
Get a lawyer and inform them that you hired some legal help.

for $360 +/- $75? What is that, two billable hours?

I would do the cert letter + you have copies of your phone bill that shows you've made several attempts.

Are you too far away to just drive there?

 

[SneakyStuff]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Certified letter

Thank you, that gives me the physical evidence I desperately need!

Originally posted by: Hacp
Get a lawyer and inform them that you hired some legal help.

That's all in the letter, like I said it's pretty damning but they must figure if they claim ignorance and say they never received it they'll be in the clear! I'm all fired up to get justice here!

Originally posted by: Corporate Thug

Originally posted by: Hacp
Get a lawyer and inform them that you hired some legal help.

for $360 +/- $75? What is that, two billable hours?

I would do the cert letter + you have copies of your phone bill that shows you've made several attempts.

Are you too far away to just drive there?

I work construction and that's a 5 day a week gig back home, their offices are 3 hours away from me and aren't open on weekends. I'll have a day off and be down there the 17th to move some things into my new apartment but that's 2 days after the cutoff. I didn't even think about the phone bill though that's a great idea!

edit: and the $360 was multiplied by 4 tenants so they really got $1440 +/- $300 to literally make no necessary repairs, they might have had to touch up a few spots on the wall with white paint due to furniture, that's about it...

 

[DayLaPaul]

God damn, for $1740, they could hire someone to repaint the entire house. Definitely send them a certified letter requesting an itemized list of the charges. Here in CA, that's a requirement if the landlord tries to withhold any amount of your deposit. You don't even have to ask for it.

In the future, make sure you do a walk through with your landlord before you move out. They will be able to point out anything that needs fixing and you can usually handle it yourself for much less than the landlord will try and charge you.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Certified letter

Yep. Print out the letter, get it notarized, send the letter as certified with delivery receipt.