ERA Park Lane Realty

Review: I, [redacted] responded to an apartment advertisement on [redacted]. The woman who answered to the [redacted] information provided was [redacted] of ERA Park Lane Realty. We spoke on 8/**/13 and established a viewing of a 1 bedroom apartment available for rent listed at $1100.00. As per the agent I meet her accordingly at the building listed above. Although I expressed interest in renting the apartment I immediately noticed renovations required throughout the entire apartment, including a non-operating stove, broker refrigerator, dead wood, mold and mildew stained throughout the bathroom, etc. The super/owner [redacted] was present during the viewing as he was renovating /painting the kitchen. Both the super and broker reassured my concerns as they already intended to renovate the kitchen and bathroom, with additional restores which included painting all rooms and waxing all floors. [redacted] advised the apartment would be ready on September [redacted] and I should have no worries in reference to the completion date. The broker verified during this discussion that she would rent the apartment for $1100.00 per month, instead of the asking price for $1300.00. I reminded the agent as per our phone discussion $1100.00 was the original price told to me. Based upon the verbal agreement I returned with [redacted] to the broker’s office to complete a rental application. I provided all required documentation (not requested by the broker) including paystubs and references. [redacted] verified that the building is owned by both – [redacted] and [redacted]. I received a call later that evening that I met all qualifications for the apartment. Due to the broker’s absence, we scheduled an appointment to sign the lease on Monday August **, 2013. We agreed that I would provide 3 checks (1 broker fee, 1 month rent, and 1 security deposit) each at $1100.00 and in return she would provide the lease, receipts, and keys. [redacted] consistently made misprints and miscalculations upon the paperwork. She did not have the lease signed but promised to return to me tomorrow because [redacted] was unable to walk and [redacted] was unreachable. She did not sign the rental application and lead disclosure, nor did the owners. Yet again she validated this would be completed tomorrow. Furthermore there were errors of the check amount provided on the receipts. I verified the owner name and whom to make payable to. I provided three checks - to Park Lane Real Estate and to the owner. She gave me the keys, receipts, and owner’s ([redacted]) phone number. However after this was completed, I went to the building to check the keys and found I was unable to enter the apartment. I informed the broker immediately and she faulted the hardware store but promised to have them fixed. Later that afternoon, I received a call that I needed to give two new checks as she provided me with the incorrect payable information/owner name. I was instructed to pick up the incorrect checks, drop of 2 new checks, drop off the bad keys, and exact paperwork that needed to be signed – and she would have all items completed that same evening. I left work early and followed/completed the above mentioned requirements from the broker. However the broker never called and on 8/**/13 I received notification that ERA Park Lane Real Estate deposited/cashed the check I provided in the amount of $1100.00. Since I paid for services incomplete, I called [redacted] and complained of her insufficiency in this field. However she reassured me she would have the completed/signed paperwork with the keys and apologized as she faulted the hardware store and owner for the inadequacies. I received a call later that afternoon that she had the lease, rental application; disclosure signed with the correct keys and reassured me that she checked the keys personally. I was advised to pick up the items at the broker’s office as she would not be available. During my travel to the broker’s office the agent called again and apologized that the above items were not there. She had an appointment and incidentally took them with her – I was now told to wait for her call. 30 minutes later she was aggravated because she was waiting at the new apartment building for me to pick up the items. I insisted she wait, and she was very hasty to do so because she leaves work @5PM and did not want to wait – so I was forced to remind her that her services were paid for and promises not kept. I picked up all the information but found that the lead disclosure was not signed. She advised that she was overwhelmed, completed her job and I should speak with the owner in regards to any further details for she could not continue running around for keys and signatures. I spoke that same evening with [redacted] whom seemed to present herself in a professional manner and promised to have the super sign the disclosure on Saturday 8/**/13, which was also verified as the move in date with completed renovations. Based upon the nature of the call I did not see any further problems nor need to call the broker. I moved my personal boxes in on 8/**/13 and noticed renovations were incomplete. As per my discussion with [redacted] whom was still fixing the apartment during my move he promised the completion within a few days. I moved my furniture in on September *, 2013. I also advised [redacted] of the incomplete renovations, and she asserted all orders for appliances (kitchen) would be delivered the following day, and renovations would be completed Thursday. I allowed additional time, and did not return to the apartment to allow completed renovations/install of kitchen orders. I returned to the apartment on September [redacted], 2013 . Although this would have been my first official day in the apartment I found that my keys did not work. [redacted] changed the locks and bolted the door. I confirmed with the owner [redacted] they changed their mind based on the inability or desire to finish renovations – and that I should have not moved in prior to completion even though I was told to move in. Both owners requested my immediate evacuation, and concluded that ERA Park Lane Real Estate would reimburse all fees. I meet with [redacted] at the broker’s office the same day and held a meeting between several witnesses, the broker and owner [redacted]. The broker refused to reimburse the $1100.00 paid for services not provided. Furthermore I requested to speak with the owner [redacted] of ERA Park Lane Real Estate whom was not present, nor would the broker let me speak to. After calling the police, [redacted] finally called the owner of ERA Park Lane Real Estate whom I heard on the phone and she repeated that he refused to refund the fee for $1100.00. The owner acknowledged that I had no place to live based upon the entrust I placed in their business and character. Due to the health hazards presented with incomplete renovations, the threats, harassment and promise to change the locks again by [redacted] I found and the police found it in my best interest to evacuate for my safety. I moved out of the building rented by the broker’s office on September *, 2013. On September [redacted], 2013 I received a message from [redacted] that she had another apartment listed for $1150.00 per month and as a courtesy she would not charge a broker fee. Please be advised the services provided by ERA Park Lane Real Estate have left me within a financial hardship I may not be able to recover from. I do not wish to accept any further services from this business due to their misconduct and negligence for their clients. Their agent was unable to provide accurate services and within the timely manner promised. The agent/company was unable to provide the promise of apartment renovations. The agent/company was unable to provide the rights as a tenant to occupy the apartment from September *, 2013 – September *, 2014 as per the signed lease. The establishment has no verbal and/or written notice that these funds (broker fee) are non-reimbursable. However the company refuses to refund me the $1100.00 for services not received. Please be advised I am able to provide receipts, records, copies, and police records of the above statements and appreciate your prompt assistance in this matter.Desired Settlement: Please be advised I do not want to receive any additional services from ERA Park Lane Real Estate for the above mentioned reasons. I only request that the $1100.00 I paid to Park Lane Realty be reimbursed to me. My preference for reimbursement is cash based upon the experience and mishaps with this business. However I am able to accept a check, if there are no other options.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by ERA Park Lane Realty regarding complaint ID [redacted]. I have attempted to settle the matter, by calling the office on 10/*/13. I spoke with the

office, whom informed me the manager, [redacted] was not available. During my discussion