Managed Leases, 234 5th Avenue 5th Floor startup office space leases ripoff kept $2400 in security deposit New York New York
On Sep. 1st, 2013 my firm signed a 6 month lease to utilize a small 7x7 office "incubator" space from Managed Leases located at 234 5th Avenue 5th Floor, New York, NY 10011 - http://managedleases.com
After moving, additional charges not previously agreed upon started showing up in our invoices. One of these was for the 24h building access key that was supposed to be a one time charge of $40 and became recurring without previous notification and or agreement.
By the time these charges started showing up, my firm had already signed the lease, so, fearing that the two month security would not be returned, the six lease months contracted were finished as agreed on signed lease. As the founder, I started to feel concerned when a 2 month exit notice was properly given with the request for a walkthrough and the owner, Charles Okoro, aka Charles Stevens, kept denying the walktrhough request. Several follow up requests were sent and Charles Okoro kept denying the walkthrough.
My firm moved out on February 28th 2014, and after that, Charles Okoro kept saying he didn't have a chance to review the office space to return my 2 month security deposit. After 2 months, on April 14th 2014, I received an email stating my security deposit would not be returned because my firm didn't leave the office in an "excellent condition".
A small claim was filed and am still trying to receive my 2 month security deposit back after several appearances. The first time Charles Okoro said he was not prepared, the judge provided an extension, the second time the clerk mentioned I had to file under my company name and not my name against Charles Okoro, so the case was once again postponed, another day was a no show and we are going to the 4th hearing next year in 2016, probably another one of many.
I hope this complaint will help others avoid the same mistake I made, renting a space from Managed Leases in New York.
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