Equity lifestyles -Bay Indies Fraud sales practices -bait and switch Venice Florida
On 11-23-2013 I made an offer in equity lifestyles bay indies mobile home park. It was for a trailer being sold for $500 that needed work. I told them that I had a foreclosure on my home and needed to be out 12-24-2013. My brother who was moving could be the financial guaranteeR. His name would be on the lease, mine would be on the title. The sales person assured us that would not be a problem and we signed the offer. Then she went on vacation and I dealt with her assistant Who was processing the agreement fully expecting to close in a week. When I checked with her there was a delay on a couple of hits that came back on my brother, (a twenty year old petty theft charge and a minor 15 year ago possession charge). I asked if there was any explain actions needed and she said they were pretty self explanatory. They would delay the closing but they were not saying no. Then she called back saying they ran the check on me and a foreclosure red flag showed up. I assured her that the sales person was aware of that and it was why I was not on the lease. She stated that was not the way they do business. Since he was not 55, I had to be on the lease. I explained how the foreclosure happened and why. I called back and was told it was okay on 2 conditions, 1- a double deposit of $1600 plus. And 2- direct debit the rent.. I explained we were never told about any deposit requirement. Basically their response was tough. That was what they wanted. What they did was price it above its worth and looked good saying they approved but I could not pay the deposit they required. What they really did was bait and switch and in my mind it's fraud. Their sales person had to know the rules quoted to me she had worked for this reputable company for 2.5 years. Now I am trying to get my down payment back.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Skye
Venice,Florida,
Wow!
#3Author of original report
Wed, December 04, 2013
You hit the nail on the head, they considered us rif-raff. That's why they did what they did. You say there is no lease as you are only renting the land. That is correct but I am surprised that you were not asked to sign a lease. If the s****.>
Jack
Venice,Florida,
Bay Indies Resident
#3Consumer Comment
Wed, December 04, 2013
I am a new resident of Bay Indies, after reading your complaint I feel that I must defend the community in which I reside.
The community is owned and managed by Equity Lifestyle Properties. The rules here are very straightforward. They have certain guidelines and prerequisites that one must have before being permitted occupancy in the park. In example: having decent credit... I certainly wouldn't want to reside next to someone who doesn't pay their bills and gets foreclosed on, leaving the property in shambles and destroying my property value. We all know that bad things happen to good people, but we live in a place that requires good credit. It is a requirement here for the better of the park.
Next subject: Criminal history. Most background checks only go back 10 years. Even though you state that your brothers charge was 15 years ago, it's still a drug charge. It shows instability and total disregard for the laws of this country. You and your brother may be the greatest guys in the world, but history seems to repeat itself from time to time.
It seems as though you are very confused as to a "lease" as stated in your complaint. If you are purchasing, there is no lease here, we simply rent the land in which our mobile sits. There is no deposit, etc. Included in the rent are some nice perks. The rent is expensive compared to other parks, but it keeps the riff-raff out which is important to all of us.
I wish you and your brother all the best and hope that it works out for you.