ComplaintsforBoardwalk Investments, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  10/24/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  My son rented an apartment at *******************************, and the landlord retained virtually the entire security deposit for absolutely unprovable and spurious reasons and in repeated violation of the ************************* that requires the production of specific documentation to the tenant in such circumstances. My son denies that any damage was visited upon the apartment other than ordinary wear and tear and intends to hire counsel to recover the balance of what was wrongly withheld. Worse yet, we were expressly warned by other students that the landlord would do this, but we signed the lease anyway because I felt that, as a real estate attorney, I could protect my son's interests.

  Business response

  11/09/2022

  Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.Boardwalk Investments wants to start out by stating that we value each of our residents, both past and present. When it comes to our move out guidelines, we have a detailed expectation of what is required from our residents at move out.They are given a move out guidelines document so they know what is expected of them and what is required to get the security deposit back in full. You will find that form attached to this letter. Additionally, at time of move in we have each resident sign a move in acknowledgement form, which you will also find attached to this letter. With that form they also receive a check insheet giving them the opportunity to note any issues or damages they find with the unit at move in and they are also given the opportunity to, at that time put in any maintenance requests when they return that form. On the move in acknowledgement for this resident signed stating that they received the check in form. This specific resident did not return the check in form.Additionally, at move out, we take pictures of each unit and notate any damages or issues with the unit that are beyond normal wear and tear which were provided to the tenant upon request.   The condition and damages the Tenant left the unit in was not acceptable and beyond whats considered normal wear and tear.    The security deposit and Itemized list of deduction was provided with in the required 21 days after moving out. Lastly, the personal filing this complaint was not the legal tenant.   We always are willing to work with our tenants to resolve any disputes to come to a fair resolution if one can be reached.   We treat everyone fairly and equally which is why we have these guidelines set in place. Each resident must be treated the same, and we make sure to adhere to the fair housing laws set in place.

  Customer response

  11/09/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

  To the extent that there was damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, or additional cleaning required, the cost of that work could not possibly have been more than $900. Landlords commonly perform "unit turns," and this would have been a standard unit turn. Unfortunately, the landlord holds the money and unilaterally decides how much to retain. If the tenant doesn't like it, he can attempt to hire counsel to pursue it while he's halfway across the country -- not a viable option. Accordingly, the landlord is the judge and jury and rules in its own self-interest.

  In any event, I was not seriously expecting the BBB to do anything useful here except act as a messenger, so it can now close the case. I will not pursue the matter further. Still, as the guarantor under the lease (and thus a party with standing to complain, despite the landlord assertion to the contrary), I feel ripped off and am not happy. I personally worked two days in ******* to clean out the unit and leave it broom clean. Stupid. I should have saved myself the effort.

  
  Regards,
  
  *************************

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩