JLK Real Estate Investment Corp / Joel Kaplan / A2Z Real Estate

JLK Real Estate Investment Corporation, through Joel Kaplan, a licensed, self employed real estate broker in Arizona under the name A2Z Realty, advertised a rental unit. After I contacted Mr. Kaplan regarding rental of the unit, he told me to fill out the online application. He said the unit was occupied so I would have to wait to see it. He then asked for a $500.00 cash deposit. Once the rental was vacated, Kaplan would only let me look through the window of the unit even though he had my $500.00! I discovered that the unit would not work because I am handicapped and the doorways are too small, so I told Kaplan it would not work. I asked for the deposit to be refunded. He said no! He said the application provided that I would "forfeit" $500 .00 if I didn't sign a lease within five days of getting approved. Kaplan NEVER offered a LEASE to sign! It didn't matter. I asked him if he would return part of the deposit, he said he would not. I asked him if he had another property he could substitute. His response was "NOPE". To date, over month later, I am having to file complaints and spend a lot of time trying to recover my money. I am single and disabled, and that money was more than I could stand to lose. Kaplan should know that taking my money was not reasonable, legal, or ethical. I believe he is banking on his licensure in real estate and his private detective license. I couldn't find a lawyer to take the case for a "mere" $500.00, so I would have to take him to court myself. Buyer BEWARE!