Q: Can the property manager charge me $500 more to move in when it's not on the welcome letter or outlined in signed lease?
Landlord says I need to pay $3000 to move in, but the deposits, pro-rated rent, first month's rent, community's fees, pet deposits and pet rent do not add up to $3000. Instead, it adds up to $2500. I asked the property and they said I'm forgetting pet fees and the math is right.. but that doesn't make sense. I have even asked two separate people to add it and they get $2500. I don't feel comfortable paying an additional $500 if I don't know why.
Additionally, the extra $500 is not outlined in the lease. I read it before I signed and two times after this math issue to see if I missed anything and it's not there. My lease outlines the $2500.
A: You seem to have answered your question yourself. You are basically asking if the other party to your contract (the overall deal you made) can add a charge that you did not agree to, for no reason. Of course not. I suggest you give the landlord your written itemized figures and ask if you're missing anything, and if the answer is yes, ask the landlord to provide you with their written itemized figures. Maybe the landlord will then agree with you that a mistake was made.
A: A landlord cannot charge anything that is outside the contract. Ask the landlord to point to the relevant contractual language that allows the property manager to charge an additional $500.00. If they cant, then the charge should be disputed.
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