My ex boyfriend is an EU citizen, born in Ireland. He was renting a New York apartment and had four months left on his lease. He decided to sublet for the remainder of the lease because he wanted to move out of state to go to school. He advertised the sublet on Craigslist and had about 30 people come to see it. Out of those 30, about four said they definitely wanted it. A non refundable deposit was requested,so that he'd take it off the market and in total 4 people paid this and then flaked out and changed their minds or failed to pay the rest of the money etc.
Anyway, now three people who paid a deposit but did not follow through have complained to the cops about not getting their deposit back. My boyfriend has been told that unless he goes to the precinct, they will purse an arrest warrant for him. He has no money for an attorney or bail. He could languish in jail for months or even a year. He's considering just skipping back to Europe. What would you do?
2007-02-23 13:38:48 · 7 answers · asked by Very Nice Indeed! 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
He needs to give these people back their money....have him march over to a bank and get a personal loan for the amount he owes ...and pay them back.....and never pull another stunt like this again........
2007-02-23 13:52:31 · answer #1 · answered by LeftField360 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well you can not take a deposit for an apartment from more than one individual. A deposit is part of a contract to lease the residence to a particular person. However, he won't be in prison for years. geezze, this is America. He has the right to an attorney, and one will be appointted for him. Our country does not lock people up for white collar crimes like this and besides this sounds made up. never heard of police getting involved in rental problems. i mean REALLY!!!!! If they issue a warrant it will be up to the District Attorney, they might arrest him, but if so he should keep his mouth shut and demand an attorney.. Never i mean NEver talk never ever ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2007-02-23 13:54:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh, for putting things in writing!! If he had written and had them sign an agreement that the deposit was non-refundable all this would have been avoided. I guess he is kicking himself now for not having done this. However, perhaps he could consult a legal aide attorney to see just what his and their rights are. Look in the yellow pages for the Legal Aide Society - probably in your state it would be in your county listings.
2007-02-23 13:48:15 · answer #3 · answered by Murphyboy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If he gave them a receipt for the deposit then he is liable. If he didn't, it's their fault for trusting him. Besides, it wasn't his place to charge a deposit since he already paid it to the landlord.He ethically needs to return the money and ought to have put it in an escrow accountand only charged whoever he subet to; otherwise it's fraud and he could go to small claims court and be detained.
2007-02-23 13:44:44 · answer #4 · answered by Master Ang Gi Guong 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What would I do?
I wouldn't have scammed people with a "non-refundable" deposit.
While his idea of receiving multiple "non-refundable" deposits seems like a good scam on the surface, it isn't.
He should give those people their money back and he should be deported.
2007-02-23 13:46:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good luck leaving the country with a warrant out for your arrest
He wouldnt make it through customs most likely
2007-02-23 13:47:29 · answer #6 · answered by trin 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Run scared!!! That's what the Irish do best!!
2007-02-23 13:46:47 · answer #7 · answered by wildraft1 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋