Rental bait and switch

By Megan

I’ve been renting with the same company for two years with no problems.  In fact, the ladies that work in the leasing office are the nicest people I’ve ever encountered.  The apartments are wonderful.  I needed a bigger apartment though and we arranged to move into a two bedroom apartment on the 8th.  We didn’t discuss signing a new lease.  A couple weeks before the move-in date I was told the apartment wasn’t ready and the lady in the leasing office, let’s call her Kim, asked if we could move in the 14th.  That was fine.  We turned in our deposit for the new apt.  The 14th came.  Kim calls me 10 minutes before the moving truck arrives and tells me we can’t have the two bedroom due to a flea infestation.  Our options were wait until December or take a three bedroom.  Kim isn’t qualified to discuss discounts but tells us she will contact the regional manager to see what they can do about the three bedroom.  Due to my schedule and my boyfriend’s December was no an option.  My boyfriend’s parents also took unpaid time off work to help us move…and rented the truck.  Kim tells us we have to sign the lease for the current rate but that she could attatch an addendum with the discount that would be presented to us.  The regional manager does not speak to me directly and says that “it’s not their problem” about us having to take the three bedroom.  But its not mine either.  I know I don’t have a case that would hold up in court.  I just want to know what I can say to the regional manager.  Shouldn’t they take a hit?  What would you do?  What would you say?  (Oh, by the way the rent difference is $200 monthly…I’m not talking a few bucks)  Was I a victim of a bait and switch?  Can I go above the regional manager?  Thanks for your time!

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