The landlord was awful.
After moving out in August of 2005, my roommate and I received the
security deposit back from our apartment after several months of
waiting. This deposit should have totaled $2,400 (the monthly amount
of the rent the final year in the building. It was increased from
$2,100 the first year and we paid the difference so the deposit would
reflect the increase). However, we were returned $1,925. Of the
deductions, $175 was for alleged damage to the apartment, which in my
opinion was in the expected condition after two years of living there.
I requested that the super walk through the apartment with me on the
day I moved out, but was told he was too busy to do so and would walk
through on his own. I felt the amount for damages was excessive, as all
we had hanging were several mirrors that used small nails leaving
barely noticeable holes. The other $300 was deducted for a separate
reason. Also, we were never provided with the interest accrued on our
security deposit, as Olympia claimed they did not have access to those
funds and were waiting to get them back.
Coming to the main issue, the building management claimed that we
shorted them on the rent for August 2003 by $300. They said that $300
amount was carried through for two years and finally subtracted when
we moved out. In fact, as we were not able to move in on the expected
date of July 1st 2003 (due to the fact the building said it did not
have the apartment in acceptable condition for us to move in) and had
already paid the real estate broker for
the first month (via money orders) and the deposit, we asked and were
told by the landlord "R" that it was OK to prorate the second month's rent
for the five days the apartment was not ready beyond the expected
move-in date.
Olympia claimed we were given the first month in the building free
(totally untrue - but explaining by their reasoning why they
supposedly received a deposit but no rent from us in July) and that
they had no record of prorating our rent for those 5 days. I explained
that the reason my check for August 2003 was for $1,750 was because 5
days times $70 a day ($2,100 divided by 30 days is $70/day) is $350,
which is the amount we should have been prorated. Their math is
incorrect as well as their claims.
I attempted to resolve these issues numerous times by phone (I had already left NYC)
and was always dealt with in a manner I consider
inconsistent with good business practices. When I reached the manager,
he needed to speak to the other employee about the issue. When I reached
her, she needed to talk to him. I was always going to be called "right
back." My calls were only returned one time, and I felt as though I
was being given the run-around. They continued to give me the same
story and to dismiss my claims by stating they have neither a record
of us moving in later than planned nor of their OK for us to prorate
the rent our second month living there.
To say I was unhappy with the way I was dealt with by the
building managemnt is putting it mildly.