My apartment complex did a random apartment inspection last week and a few days later we started getting calls about signing a new "term sheet." Then today i get this email:

Quote :

"While auditing our files, we noticed that the original lease terms sheet that you signed stated a different security deposit than you actually paid. You will lose this money ($25.00) in the conversion to a new operating system unless you sign a new terms sheet with the corrected security deposit amount. You do not need to pay anything at this time. This is simply a clerical mistake that needs to be corrected in the written version of your lease. Please let us know when you are each available to stop by the office. We are open every day. Sincerely, Megan Luce Property Manager Misty Woods Apartments"

This justs fishy as hell to me, I'm wondering if anyone else has had an apartment try to pull something over on them with this as a front before.

Thanks.

1/30/2007 8:53:12 PM

get a copy of your orginal lease
get a copy of the new lease (tell them you want to read it over before you sign it)
go to a lawyer

1/30/2007 9:02:23 PM

I don't really care about the $25, especially not enough to ire a lawyer over it.

1/30/2007 9:03:10 PM

student legal services?

1/30/2007 9:08:11 PM

I'm not a student anymore.

1/30/2007 9:08:49 PM

what do you think they are trying to pull?

1/30/2007 9:09:55 PM

Did you pay $25 more than the lease specified or something?

1/31/2007 12:11:25 AM

Get a copy of old, copy of new, go compare.

The only thing I can think of that they can pull is adding new terms or changing other terms in your lease to screw you over, and not mentioning that other things have changed (as there's nothing in there that says anything ELSE on the terms sheet DIDNT change). Normally marking things out and putting the new right thing and having signatures near it is what I thought was done for legal document corrections.


It's fishy, i'd be suspicious that the new "term sheet" has something in it other than the new total.

1/31/2007 12:31:28 PM

Quote :

"This is simply a clerical mistake that needs to be corrected in the written version of your lease. "

Are you seriously getting this upset over it? It sounds like they accidently charged you too much, someone noticed it and they want to rectify the situation before they change their record-keeping system. You should chill out and thank them for being honest with you.

1/31/2007 12:53:34 PM

^ Yeah, but they could just refund him the $25 that he overpaid instead of asking him to sign a new document.

I'd definately be on the lookout for other changes being added in.

1/31/2007 12:56:02 PM

^Either way, he should talk to them about it before getting all "OMF I'M CALLING A LAWYER TO SUE JOO!" As crooked as property management companies may be, I doubt this one is going to go out of its way to steal $25 from a tenant.

[Edited on January 31, 2007 at 1:00 PM. Reason : ./]

1/31/2007 12:59:29 PM

Quote :

"I don't really care about the $25, especially not enough to ire a lawyer over it"

^

1/31/2007 1:05:03 PM

But $25 from many tenants tends to add up pretty quickly.

1/31/2007 1:07:07 PM

You should compare the new lease with the old one. Don't sign shit if you don't like anything new on there. They can't void your current lease if it's still valid.

1/31/2007 1:07:09 PM

^^^I was referring to everyone else's advice in the thread, not that it matters anyway.

[Edited on January 31, 2007 at 1:07 PM. Reason : ^]

Quote :

"But $25 from many tenants tends to add up pretty quickly. "

Do you honestly believe they would put it in writing if they were trying to screw people over?

[Edited on January 31, 2007 at 1:08 PM. Reason : .]

1/31/2007 1:07:18 PM

It wouldnt seem that out of place if they hadnt just done a surprise inspection. Maybe it has some new things they can fine you for that they noticed.

1/31/2007 3:42:28 PM

"Random" inspections aren't legal. Unless it's an emergency, a landlord can't just come into your house without some kind of notice.

1/31/2007 3:46:26 PM

^yes they can if it's in your lease.

FYI: WolfCreek doesn't even need to knock to come in!

1/31/2007 3:55:45 PM

Quote :

""Random" inspections aren't legal. Unless it's an emergency, a landlord can't just come into your house without some kind of notice."

Quote :

"^yes they can if it's in your lease. FYI: WolfCreek doesn't even need to knock to come in!"

In North Carolina, there is no law that states a landlord has to give notice. Most leases include a clause that specifically gives them the right to enter without notice. The Apartment Association of North Carolina makes most apartment leases in the state and all of their leases have the clause. Many landlords/ property managers will give 24 hours notice as a courtesy, but they are not required to. I learned all of this the hard way a few months ago when my landlord insisted on her right to enter.

1/31/2007 5:33:35 PM

I think it is sketchy as hell.
Would definitely compare the two.


Anytime someone offers money incentive to change a written agreement, something is up. Why would they all of the sudden give back $25? Is that some kind of incentive to sign the new lease?

What if they found a problem while inspecting and realized they were required to cover it by terms of the lease?

1/31/2007 7:33:30 PM