Berger Real Estate

This is in response to compliant ID *** against Berger Real Estate (BRE)Therental property was shown to individuals on Friday, October 2, They expressedan interest in renting the properly for a November 1, 2015, modateIt wasexplained that since the property was
vacant, and the 1st of November fell on Sunday,they could sign the lease and begIn to move in on October 30th for no extra feeOnOctober 5th one of the applicants dropped off both tenants’ rental applications along withchecks in the amount of $537.50, $and $for the st month’s rent deposit($995) and $application fee for each applicantA credit check was performedTheapplicants were notified via email on October 7, 2015, that their application wasapproved for a November 1, 2015, or sooner, lease start dateThe Individualresponded to Berger Real Estate (BRE) that they agreed to sign the lease agreementon October 30th 2015, and he had contacted the utility companies and the utilities wouldbe transferred as of October 30th,On October 14th the applicant asked if they could move in on October 23rdTheapplicant was informed by BRE that would be okay, but that they would be responsiblefor a pro-rate in the amount of $for days in OctoberThe move ri date wasscheduled for October 23~ at 8:amOn October 23rd, the applicants showed up forthe appointment at the rental propertyWhen they arrived, they stated that they did notagree to pay the pro-rated amount, even though they had ample time prior to this day tomake that determinationThey were advised by a BRE representative that they couldnot move in If they were not agreeable to pay the pro-rate and they could simplyreschedule for the following FridayIt was agreed that the move~in would be October30”’ at 8:a.m,On October 28”’, the BRE representative emalled the indIviduals a copy of the leaseagreement for their review, as a courtesy, and to give an opportunity to ask anyquestions in advance.sent an email at 11:p.mthe previous ovening stating that the individuals could notmake the 8:app? and asked if they could reschedule for the afternoonThe SRErepresentative stated that would be okay, but it had to be before 1:p.mdue toscheduling, At 12:p.mthe BRE representative reached out to individuals asking ifthey could meet at 12:p.mthat dayThe response was that the individuals werebacking out because the lease terms were “unrealistic and unreasonable”The BRErepresentative stated that was okay, but the deposit in the amount of $995, as clearlystated on the rental application could riot be refunded, The individual texted that, “thelease is written as if you wanted us to back outReturn the deposit or a suit will befiled.”GRE has approximately units and has been using the same plain English approvedvery standard lease agreement for the past 10÷ yearsThe individuals had much timeand opportunity to ask any questions about the lease agreement before signingTheindividuals were given multiple opportunities to meet to sign the lease agreement.BRE is aware that one of the prospective tenants had packages sent to the propertyand asked permIssion to retrieve them from the porchHe was given permission to doso, and advIsed that GRE could not be responsible for the packagesBRE neverreceived a phone call from a neighbor in regard to this gentleman or his friendBREhad no knowledge of the alleged incident with the neighbor until reading it in the BBScomplaint.This property is located in a desirable location, and BRS lost one full month rent byholding this property for the individuals who, at the very last possible minute, refused toexecute a lease agreementProvisions are put in the rental application to protect theproperty owner against just such occurrences.Therefore, we do not agree to reach a settlementThe prospective tenants entered intoa contract with Berger Real Estate when the applications were submittedTheapplication states, “Upon acceptance, the deposit shall be applied toward the first fullmonth’s rent on the leased premisesShould acdepted applicant(s) refuse to execute aLease Agreement on or before the day of the Lease term, the applicant as liquIdateddamages shall forfeit the deposit.”SincerelyBerger Real Estate Management

This is in response to compliant ID [redacted] against Berger Real Estate (BRE). Therental property was shown to 2 individuals on Friday, October 2, 2015. They expressedan interest in renting the properly for a November 1, 2015, move-in date. It wasexplained that since the property was vacant, and the...

1st of November fell on Sunday,they could sign the lease and begIn to move in on October 30th for no extra fee. OnOctober 5th one of the applicants dropped off both tenants’ rental applications along with3 checks in the amount of $537.50, $497.50 and $30 for the 1 st month’s rent deposit($995) and $35 application fee for each applicant. A credit check was performed. Theapplicants were notified via email on October 7, 2015, that their application wasapproved for a November 1, 2015, or sooner, lease start date. The Individualresponded to Berger Real Estate (BRE) that they agreed to sign the lease agreementon October 30th 2015, and he had contacted the utility companies and the utilities wouldbe transferred as of October 30th,On October 14th the applicant asked if they could move in on October 23rd. Theapplicant was informed by BRE that would be okay, but that they would be responsiblefor a pro-rate in the amount of $288.87 for 9 days in October. The move ri date wasscheduled for October 23~ at 8:30 am. On October 23rd, the applicants showed up forthe appointment at the rental property. When they arrived, they stated that they did notagree to pay the pro-rated amount, even though they had ample time prior to this day tomake that determination. They were advised by a BRE representative that they couldnot move in If they were not agreeable to pay the pro-rate and they could simplyreschedule for the following Friday. It was agreed that the move~in would be October30”’ at 8:30 a.m,On October 28”’, the BRE representative emalled the indIviduals a copy of the leaseagreement for their review, as a courtesy, and to give an opportunity to ask anyquestions in advance.sent an email at 11:10 p.m. the previous ovening stating that the individuals could notmake the 8:30 app? and asked if they could reschedule for the afternoon. The SRErepresentative stated that would be okay, but it had to be before 1:00 p.m. due toscheduling, At 12:00 p.m. the BRE representative reached out to individuals asking ifthey could meet at 12:30 p.m. that day. The response was that the individuals werebacking out because the lease terms were “unrealistic and unreasonable”. The BRErepresentative stated that was okay, but the deposit in the amount of $995, as clearlystated on the rental application could riot be refunded, The individual texted that, “thelease is written as if you wanted us to back out. Return the deposit or a suit will befiled.”GRE has approximately 100 units and has been using the same plain English approvedvery standard lease agreement for the past 10÷ years. The individuals had much timeand opportunity to ask any questions about the lease agreement before signing. Theindividuals were given multiple opportunities to meet to sign the lease agreement.BRE is aware that one of the prospective tenants had packages sent to the propertyand asked permIssion to retrieve them from the porch. He was given permission to doso, and advIsed that GRE could not be responsible for the packages. BRE neverreceived a phone call from a neighbor in regard to this gentleman or his friend. BREhad no knowledge of the alleged incident with the neighbor until reading it in the BBScomplaint.This property is located in a desirable location, and BRS lost one full month rent byholding this property for the individuals who, at the very last possible minute, refused toexecute a lease agreement. Provisions are put in the rental application to protect theproperty owner against just such occurrences.Therefore, we do not agree to reach a settlement. The prospective tenants entered intoa contract with Berger Real Estate when the applications were submitted. Theapplication states, “Upon acceptance, the deposit shall be applied toward the first fullmonth’s rent on the leased premises. Should acdepted applicant(s) refuse to execute aLease Agreement on or before the 101 day of the Lease term, the applicant as liquIdateddamages shall forfeit the deposit.”SincerelyBerger Real Estate Management

Review: I was interested in moving in to a property in Pittsburgh leased by Berger Real Estate with my Roommate. I paid the $995.00 deposit and $35 application fees in good faith that we would sign a lease for November 1 and move in. We were initially told we could move in Friday October 30 (2 days early) at no cost. When I asked to move in on October 23 instead, they told us that we would have to pay a prorated amount of $288.87 which is $36.10/day for 8 days. The rent for October ($995) divided by 31 days should be $32.10/day. They charged us for the 2 days that they had originally promised for free. We declined and planned to move in on Oct 30. They sent us a copy of the lease to look over and we found the terms are unrealistic and unreasonable. When we backed out of signing it, they refused to give us our deposit back. We had to sign the application form and pay the deposit before we could see or sign the lease. If we had known the terms of the lease ahead of time, we would never have paid the deposit. The lease states that if the Landlord determines that any terms of the lease are violated, the Landlord can evict us without notice and we would be held liable for the entire years rent plus our deposit. Many of the terms are unreasonable and we refused to be held liable for $13,000 which the Landlord could make us pay seemingly at their own discretion. We feel that this lease is written as if they wanted us not to sign it and force us to forfeit our deposit. Also, my roommate had stopped by to pick up a package he had shipped there with his friend and the neighbor was asking a lot of questions. My roommate and his friend are both African American. We suspect that the neighbor may have called the realtor and complained and that is why we received this unreasonable lease or they were unhappy with is declining to pay $288 to move in 7 days early and we feel like we are being discriminated against and have been ripped off. They know it is not worth us suing them for $995.Desired Settlement: We want our Deposit of $995.00 refunded in full.

Business

Response:

This is in response to compliant ID [redacted] against Berger Real Estate (BRE). Therental property was shown to 2 individuals on Friday, October 2, 2015. They expressedan interest in renting the properly for a November 1, 2015, move-in date. It wasexplained that since the property was vacant, and the 1st of November fell on Sunday,they could sign the lease and begIn to move in on October 30th for no extra fee. OnOctober 5th one of the applicants dropped off both tenants’ rental applications along with3 checks in the amount of $537.50, $497.50 and $30 for the 1 st month’s rent deposit($995) and $35 application fee for each applicant. A credit check was performed. Theapplicants were notified via email on October 7, 2015, that their application wasapproved for a November 1, 2015, or sooner, lease start date. The Individualresponded to Berger Real Estate (BRE) that they agreed to sign the lease agreementon October 30th 2015, and he had contacted the utility companies and the utilities wouldbe transferred as of October 30th,On October 14th the applicant asked if they could move in on October 23rd. Theapplicant was informed by BRE that would be okay, but that they would be responsiblefor a pro-rate in the amount of $288.87 for 9 days in October. The move ri date wasscheduled for October 23~ at 8:30 am. On October 23rd, the applicants showed up forthe appointment at the rental property. When they arrived, they stated that they did notagree to pay the pro-rated amount, even though they had ample time prior to this day tomake that determination. They were advised by a BRE representative that they couldnot move in If they were not agreeable to pay the pro-rate and they could simplyreschedule for the following Friday. It was agreed that the move~in would be October30”’ at 8:30 a.m,On October 28”’, the BRE representative emalled the indIviduals a copy of the leaseagreement for their review, as a courtesy, and to give an opportunity to ask anyquestions in advance.sent an email at 11:10 p.m. the previous ovening stating that the individuals could notmake the 8:30 app? and asked if they could reschedule for the afternoon. The SRErepresentative stated that would be okay, but it had to be before 1:00 p.m. due toscheduling, At 12:00 p.m. the BRE representative reached out to individuals asking ifthey could meet at 12:30 p.m. that day. The response was that the individuals werebacking out because the lease terms were “unrealistic and unreasonable”. The BRErepresentative stated that was okay, but the deposit in the amount of $995, as clearlystated on the rental application could riot be refunded, The individual texted that, “thelease is written as if you wanted us to back out. Return the deposit or a suit will befiled.”GRE has approximately 100 units and has been using the same plain English approvedvery standard lease agreement for the past 10÷ years. The individuals had much timeand opportunity to ask any questions about the lease agreement before signing. Theindividuals were given multiple opportunities to meet to sign the lease agreement.BRE is aware that one of the prospective tenants had packages sent to the propertyand asked permIssion to retrieve them from the porch. He was given permission to doso, and advIsed that GRE could not be responsible for the packages. BRE neverreceived a phone call from a neighbor in regard to this gentleman or his friend. BREhad no knowledge of the alleged incident with the neighbor until reading it in the BBScomplaint.This property is located in a desirable location, and BRS lost one full month rent byholding this property for the individuals who, at the very last possible minute, refused toexecute a lease agreement. Provisions are put in the rental application to protect theproperty owner against just such occurrences.Therefore, we do not agree to reach a settlement. The prospective tenants entered intoa contract with Berger Real Estate when the applications were submitted. Theapplication states, “Upon acceptance, the deposit shall be applied toward the first fullmonth’s rent on the leased premises. Should acdepted applicant(s) refuse to execute aLease Agreement on or before the 101 day of the Lease term, the applicant as liquIdateddamages shall forfeit the deposit.”SincerelyBerger Real Estate Management