How can i protect myself from apartment staff who hate me ?

Question

Okay here is what’s going on,

I move into an apartment that I thought was great until I live in it and everything started breaking. I call to have the stuff fixed but they never fixed the problem entirely and lied to me saying nothing is wrong. So I called and complained about it and still nothing was done but them telling me off and hanging up on me. I gave them my notice and paid the early termination fee only because I was getting a house and my credit has to be perfect. I am now worried that they are going to lie about stuff in a walk through when leaving. How can I protect myself from over charges and lies? I am going to do the walk thru with a video camera but what if she tries to say I need new carpet or something expensive when my place is perfect? Is there a service of some kind that I cannot find in the yellow pages? I live in Dallas, Texas just so you know.

Thank you

Answer 1

Take lots of pictures, document the condition of the property when you leave and there should be no problem.

If you end up in a landlord tenant dispute, I would scale back the accusations.  Frankly, the 'they left my garbage, they blow grass cuttings on my doorstep' type of stuff sounds a little paranoid.

Answer 2

Arm yourself with knowledge...and pitchforks, knives, and guns.  Lots of ammo, too.

Answer 3

If they hate you because you tried to make them do their job that's absurd. When you report a problem to them and they don't respond you should report them so you're covered. Since you didn't do that I'm not sure what you can do. The video is a good idea though. It would be even better if you had done a video when you moved in as well to show nothing has changed. They may be so glad to have you out of their hair they won't cause problems. It may be the person who is supposed to be fixing things is an employee of the actual owner and is trying to shirk his duties. If you know who the owner is you should have talked to them. When things aren't being kept up as they should you can report them to the city because they usually have something in place to make certain rental properties are kept up to code.

Answer 4

Ninjutsu

Answer 5

if you did break that stuff well too bad your old enough to handle it but if you did not get a lawyer and sew there ***

Answer 6

If they don't have photos from just before you moved in, they can't claim anything against you, as long as there is nothing beyond normal wear and tear.

You might want to consult an attorney about getting a refund of your early termination fee.  If they failed to repair things, you might have a case.  But if they fixed things just well enough so that they worked, you might not.

If you wrote down everything in a notebook on the dates things happened and the dates they were fixed or not fixed, and the lies your landlord or property manager told you, then you will have legally acceptable documentation of your side of the case.  You probably can't use an attorney in small claims court, but if your claim against them is small claims size, that might be the place to sue the landlord/owner to recover.  

If you win and they don't pay, you can file a lien against them, or you can levy against their bank account.  Their bank account information should be on the back side of your cancelled checks -- the account name and number should be there.

There is also the possibility that federal law and state anti-discrimination laws could apply to your case if you believe your landlord discriminated against you.

If the amount of money is relatively small, legal fees could easily overwhelm the amount involved, so it's only useful to have an attorney involved if the amount of money involved is large.  So if you're not talking about enough money to really hurt your life and your future, it's not worth hiring an attorney.

I hope this helps you.  I'm not an attorney, and I'm in California, not Texas.  I'm sure Texas laws differ from California laws in some areas, but the basics of landlord-tenant law should be pretty much the same anywhere in the US -- the landlord is responsible for maintaining the premises in a safe and habitable condition, and the tenant is responsible for paying the rent, not creating annoyances, and leaving the place clean.

Answer 7

deliver a noose to their doorstep  

Answer 8

Just haveat least two witness's with you during the walk though.. if you are that scared call the police and ask an officer to be present during the walk through since you feel the people are hostile towards you and may lie causing your credibility to be compromised. Then at the end make sure everyone signs the walk through and you have agreed to what the condition the place was left in . this whole thing shouldn't take more than 5-10 minutes you can make note on the final paperwork that certain things were not repaired.  Get a copy of this and keep it on file in case anything comes up but it shouldn't with creditble witness's.

Answer 9

Ask if you can be present during the time of their walk through.  Definitely tape your own walk through and make sure the date is on the screen.

If they come back with anything that alters from what you have seen, disucss it with them and show them the video if need be.  Let them know you will take them to small-claims if it deosn't get resolved.  Hopefully they won't give you too hard of a time though!

Good luck!  

Answer 10

Go through and video after your stuff is out. Move the camera very slowly, don't do quick movements. Tape EVERYTHING to show perfection. Then re-video with them during the walk-through and stay close to them to record their words.

Answer 11

Threaten to sue or move out  

Answer 12

the video is the best way to go

Answer 13

If you are purchasing a house, then I wouldn't worry about it. Go ahead and do the walk thru with your video cam, that way if he / she tries to take you to court you will have it there to prove that there was not any damage or additional damage upon your exit and more than likely if he / she know that you are doing a video of the event, they are not going to try and do anything tricky, that would be very dumb on their part. Before leaving the walk-thru ensure with he / she that everyone room in the apt has been examined b/c you don't want them to come back and say you did something to a room or area that was not video'd, ask for a checklist and you both can make notes, once you are finished, compare each other checklist, you make a copy and give it to them and make sure you get a copy from them also.  

Answer 14

They can pretty much take your security deposit easily.  If they don't give it to you, its probably not worth the court/attorney costs to go after them.  Beyond that, they won't be able to get anything, because they cant prove who did what after the fact.  Your best bet is to make nice and let them do the walkthrough, and show a little patience.  They may not rip u off, but I cna't really think of a way to guarantee it.

Answer 15

you could get a new apartment.

Answer 16

You have done everything as you should to protect yourself. Except, paying for an early termination fee. If they have refused to fixed the items in your apartment. You have the legal right to move and demand your deposit back or you could have placed your money in escrow. But, nonetheless you have done the right thing by videoing your apartment after moving out. They cannot demand replacement of the carpet with normal where and tear. Also, they cannot request payment for the normal cleaning of the apartment.  

Answer 17

get away from the staff and get someone els to fix the proplems

Answer 18

Have a case ready, with proof that it is not your fault that stuff broke.

Answer 19

First of all did you do a walk thru BEFORE moving in?  Usually you do a move in walk thru and you list items that are damaged or broken, so that when you do the final walk thru the manager compares the move in form to the move out form so you don't get dinged for something that was broken upon move in.  Secondly, did you put all your complaints / repair requests in writing to the landlord? so that you have copies and WRITTEN PROOF that items were broken that required the landlord to fix, this is your proof so they cannot come back and charge you if they decide to fight you on it.

It's best that you definately either video tape and photograph the apartment upon move out, show the condition of the carpet, the walls, the sinks, the bathrooms the condition of all floors, lights, windows fridge, stove, etc.  That way if they come back and say there was a big stain on the floor you have proof that there wasn't etc.  Just because you claim they "hate" you doesn't mean they can legally cheat you out of money, now I'm not saying they won't do this though.

If you have proof that the carpet is in good condition and the unit left in good condition then they cannot come back and say it's not.  However, the items that broke was it old age, wear and tear or did you break it?  Make sure you do the walk thru WITH the manager do not allow them to do this alone, that way you can be there and tell them I'm sorry but check your records this was reported as broken and you never fixed it blah blah blah.  Make sure you AGREE with the final walk thru BEFORE signing it, once you do then you agree to anything they put on there as damaged or broken.  Also make sure you get a COPY of the final walk thru form MOST IMPORTANT dont' accept their answer oh our copier is broken or I'll mail it to you, NO make them walk down to their office and make a copy for you right then and there, if they give you some excuse as to they will mail it then you'll never get it.  Tell them you have a right to a copy of the form and you want it now, if they get snippy tell them fine I'll take it up with your regional manager, when you threaten to get their supervisor involved chances are they'll suddenly cooperate with you.

There is no service that can help you with this only an attorney can, but then again, he's going to need to see proof and he'll want written copies of letters you sent to the management office regarding repairs, without it its your word against theirs and they'll have a much better chance in court than you will proving your case.

To anyone that is renting an apartment, when having problems with the onsite staff, go over their heads to the management company who oversees the onsite manager, remember, the onsite manager has a boss and that property manager also has a boss, either the Regional Manager or the Vice President of property management.  The Management companies name will be listed on the website or the leasing sign.

Anyway it sounds like you're on the right track with photos and everything to cover your behind.  Dont' take the grass cuttings blown up against your door as a personal vendetta, it's the lazy landscaping company, I own a townhouse but the landscapers when they cut the grass they fail to blow the clippings off of my patio and I get totally pissed off, I'm also fighting with my HOA about the towing company they hired harrassing owners and leaving freaking flyers all over the place including on my car and stuck to my garage TWICE now, good lord how many of their flyers do I really need?  Anyway I don't take that as retaliation from the HOA, it's just stupid ignorant lazy vendors.

Good luck