Can a agent of the landlord do this ?

Question

can a agent turn you down because someone else offered him more money ?

i put the application in with the fees
i put the deposite + first months rent in with certified check

now hes being greedy and telling me that he wants 200 more or he has someone else whos offering him more money.

is this Legal ??

Answer 1

Yes, it is legal, as long as the landlord returns your deposit and first month's rent. A landlord can chose whomever they wish to have as a tenant, as long as none of those reasons violate the Fair Housing Act.

Assuming you do not yet have a signed lease, you're out in the cold on this one.

Answer 2

Unless the landlord has signed the lease and given you a copy containing both of your signatures, the lease isn't truly signed. They'll be obligated to refund you the deposit and first months rent. However, the application fees were for the application, which you put in :(

Answer 3

have you already signed a lease? I would personlly tell him to f**k off but thats just me. How rude though! I would say if you have already signed paperwork then NO, I dont think its legal. I would tell them you demand your money back + fee's. Or talk directly to the landlord.

Answer 4

I saw your note below as well. In this case, if you dont have a lease/signed agreement, he can do what he wants. However, he should refund you 100%-- including application fees. If not, I'd sue.

Answer 5

Are you 100% positive it is an agent of the landlord...if you signed a contract...then it should be YOURS...