ComplaintsforSmith & Associates Real Estate, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  03/15/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I rented a home at **** **** ******* ***** in St. Petersburg, FL from Smith & Associates and they have failed to return my $2,500.00 deposit. I provided move out notice and ended my lease on 11/16/2021. I paid the entire month of November ($2,500.00) for which they re-rented the residence on 11/16/2021. I should have been due a half month's rent returned, but on top of collecting double rent (from new tenant and myself) they have failed to return my security deposit. I have emailed and called Elizabeth B***** and Amanda K******* so many times about this I have lost track. I received a notice in December that Smith & Associated intended to keep $265.00 of my $2,500.00 deposit. I responded within the allotted 15 days to dispute the charges and sent a certified letter detailing my dispute of the charges. I never heard a word back. I have called and emailed every month since with no response. On March 11th I finally included the owner of the property, Tanya Pierce on the email so she was aware. I have not heard a word back from anyone as of the writing of this complaint. I would like the return of my $2,500.00 security deposit as well as the remaining rent I paid from 11/16/2021 to the end of the month returned.

  Business response

  04/05/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/03/21) */ ************* had a lease from 2/19/2021 until 11/16/2021. She decided to break her lease and vacate the premises early. At that time, we advised her lease did not have a early termination option. After speaking with the property owner/Landlord, she agreed to let Miss. ******** out of her lease with a one month penalty and that she had to pay her rent until a new tenant had been found. Miss ******** agreed to these terms and knew there would be at minimum a $2500 lease break penalty. Luckily, we were able to find a new tenant for the property right away. Miss ******** did not have to pay any additional rent after vacating and was only charged the $2500 penalty all parties agreed upon prior. We did send her a deposit claim letter as she did leave the place uncleaned, light bulbs missing a a few minor repair which she claimed was not the case. The Landlord decided to not charge her the additional amount and kept to the original fee of $2500. Please note, the Landlord did not have to find a new tenant and could have kept the place in ************* name requesting she pay the rent through her lease term. In good faith, they did not and she was released without further penalty although it was her choice to break the lease early. Copy of Lease attached for records.

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