Can I deduct fees I've incurred because of the apartment complex's mistake from my rent?

Question

I signed a lease for a two bedroom apartment, but the office made a mistake and had to temporarily put me in a three bedroom apartment for 2 months. Now that my 2 bedroom apartment is ready, I have to transfer the electricity from the apartment I'm currently in (the 3 bdr) to the 2 bedroom and there's a fee of $75 to do this. Can I deduct this $75 fee from my rent since my moving is due to a mistake on the part of the apartment complex as opposed to me choosing to transfer apartments? Does anyone know of a reputable source where I could find the answer to this question?

Answer 1

Why is this coming up now - when they put you in the "other" (first) apartment, did you not realize there would be fees AGAIN to move to the second apartment?  Two apartments, two sets of hookup fees?

This is the kind of thing you should have negotiated and gotten clear before going into the first apartment.

How friendly are you with them - I would think they should pay it, and hopefully will agree to - but I doubt you can "make them" pay it.  Or suggest they pay half - that is always a good compromise.

Answer 2

I would ask the management company about this.  The "fair" thing for them to do is pay this fee since they had made the mistake.

YOu didn't say what the mistake was.

Answer 3

So for 2 months you have been paying for a 2 bedroom but living in a 3 bedroom, do you think they should charge you the difference?They accommodated you with an upgrade for 2 months. Or would have have been better off living somewhere else, or getting out of the lease?  

Answer 4

Absolutely!  Just make sure that you inform the apartment manager of what you are doing and provide the $75 reciept of the charges you incurred.  Don't ask, TELL.  Find your state's department of housing regulations (or whatever its called, I'm not sure) website and call them.  They should be able to tell you exactly what the law is in your area, but I have NEVER heard of a place in which you couldn't do things like that.  Unless your lease specifically forbids that, that is.

Answer 5

You had the option UP FRONT not to move into the 3-BR You have to pay your own transfers...You can NEVER deduct money from your rent by the way...