East Williamsburg Realty / Full Time Management    |    Never Given To Me, Broker Was Named Zalman    |    Brooklyn    ,    New York 11211    Landlord Complaint 23-4060

I put down a $400 cash deposit (May 8) and applied for the apartment at 411 Rogers (May 9). On Sunday I heard that I was rejected, wasn't informed why until Monday when I learned they couldn't locate my guarantor's credit report, which is easily accessible. We provided it to them, and after 5 days I still didn't have an answer about whether I was approved, nor was I told when this could be expected, so I withdrew my application so I could put the deposit down on another apartment that was available right away. My job starts on June 1 (i am a college professor), so I must move in a week. I've been trying to withdraw my application since May 13 but they told me to wait until the end of the day, I told them that I needed to know by then otherwise I would withdraw and need my deposit returned the next morning so I could secure another apartment. Didn't hear from them, and when I contacted the broker again at 8pm he said it would either be that night or the following morning, that he was "very busy". I informed them that I was withdrawing the application because I couldn't wait longer, as discussed earlier, and that since I live out of state I would need them to refund it electronically. Didn't hear anything by 11am the next day, so I called and sent them a PayPal invoice at about 11am, and let him know I needed it right away to put down a deposit that night. By 5 pm I still hadn't heard anything, so I called again. I was told that it would be done as soon as possible, and when I asked if that meant by the end of the day he said he would do his best. I reminded him that they've had my deposit for 6 days and I still don't have an apartment, and need it to get another, and he again said they were very busy. My understanding is that it is my money and that they are required to return it when I withdraw my application, and when I mentioned that he got very defensive and informed me that I don't actually have a right to get the money back because I backed out on the deal. I never signed a lease or any form of agreement, just submitted an application that was still pending after 6 days and I could not afford to wait any longer, especially since I live out of state and am currently teaching 4 college courses. So the response was that if I continued to be persistent that I wouldn't get it back because I was no longer entitled to it for backing out. I still don't have the money or any indication of if/when I will get it, I just need the money for an apt.