Dottie Pires Realty

Dishonest and possibly illegal processing fee for apartment rental.On 4/7/14 I was issued a section 8 housing voucher and was asked by a worker of the housing authority ([redacted])to look at an apartment that she had available. Dottie Pires met me there and showed me the apt and I met with the landlords who seemed like they really would like me to be there tenant. I told them I had to check with my current landlords as I would have to give at least 30 day if not 30 day calendar notice and that I probably would not be able to move in until 6/1/14. Dottie asked me to fill out an application form and asked me for $25. Then told me she would get back to me ASAP. Dottie gave me the runaround as of the status of the apt. I caught her in a lie because she told me two days in a row that the she has not been able to get ahold of the owner because she was sick at home from work. I had gotten a call from a coworker of [redacted]'s at the housing authority saying that she told them that she was waiting for me and asked me if they could give the [redacted] my number, I said yes, and they told me that [redacted] was in a meeting but I would hear from her later. Upon not hearing by that evening I called Dottie and that is when Dottie said [redacted] was home sick again and I told her I got a call from housing authority and they told me she was actually at work that day. Therefore Dottie lied to me. Then Dottie came out with the truth that [redacted] the landlord had only wanted someone for May 1st. I then told Dottie that she took advantage of me and took my $25 which is awful to do because I had a section 8 voucher and am already low income. Dottie tried to say that it was a processing fee. But the difference is that she wanted someone only for May 1st and should have told me that if I could not commit to that than I should not give my application and money and waste my time. I was not going even going to be considered for the apt. Not to mention that I think it is illegal to ask for any other fees from someone who has a section 8 voucher other than first and security. Dotties old practices are not only obvious but are old and she needs to change her ways.Desired Settlement$25.00Business Response I am the [redacted] of the Section 8 program here at Pittsfield Housing and Dottie Pires just came in with a letterfrom you regarding [redacted], case #XXXXXX. As I am sure you know that any landlord can collect the $25.00 feefor doing the credit checks and that goes for Section 8 participants also. A landlord posts their apartment for rent and some can't hold them empty for a month so they have to rent itto someone else. This happens all the time because the tenant has to give a 30 day notice. From what Dottie told me, [redacted] was yelling and swearing at her and that is not acceptable and that is whatgives the Section 8 program a bad name. Hopefully you can close this case out and clear Dottie Pires record. Thank you in advance and if you need any further information, please contact me.[redacted]Final Business Response This is in response to Ms. [redacted] comlaint dated 4-21-2014. On X-X-XXXX I showed Ms. [redacted] an apartment in Pittsfield, which wanted to rent so I had her fill out an application, and collected $25.00 to do a credit check. She never told me that she couldn't take it till June 1st. I ran her credit check, and it was [redacted] decision to rent to another applicant. I never make that decision it is up to [redacted] to choose her new tenant. The apartment was showed to over a dozen perspective tenants. The decision was made by [redacted]. A Section 8 voucher doesn't guarantee. As she never told me she could only do for June 1st, the [redacted] who relies on the rent to do her mortage payment, she had to choose a tenant that could do May 1st. Had she told me June 1st for occupancy the[redacted] would not have considered her. If you have any futher questions please don't hesitate to contact me. I have been a realtor since 1972, and this is my first complaint.Sincerely,Dottie Pires[redacted]Pittsfield, MA XXXXXXXX-XXX-XXXX