Complaint Review: Poinsettia Apartments And JAN Development

I toured the Poinsettia Apartments in April 2002 and found it very nice, and the managers seemed good. They quoted me a specific rent rate for a 1-bd/1-ba apartment, and I decided to go for it.

I turned in my application with all the required info (there was a LOT of it). My application kept being returned to me because they needed MORE info. After a couple go-rounds, it turned out they needed my income tax returns info, my credit report (I have perfect credit, a 764 score), letters from my boss stating what I am paid (I work for one man, not a corporation, so I do not receive regular pay stubs), and my last three bank statements to proof I deposited the same amount that I claimed to make every month. I have perfect rental history as well, and I am a professional, educated, well-groomed woman in my early 20s, so I was not just some bum off the street (although it looked like a few other people who lived there were.)

After submitting all this and the promise of my firstborn child, I was told that since they could not determine my income (BS, I gave them all the info for that), they jacked up the rental amount AND the deposit amount until it was going to cost me $3000 JUST TO MOVE IN (a 1 bd/1 ba apartment, I reiterate), and no promise that my deposit would be refunded.

I almost did it, but then realized what a bait-and-switch scam this was, and I backed out and moved to a nice place near the beach, who gave me NO trouble moving in and actually said that Poinsettia's practices were illegal and out-of-line...I agree!

Kate
Los Angeles, California
U.S.A.