About Michelle Mangen Expertise Wisconsin Landlord/Tenant Questions.
Experience Having been in the property management industry for over 13 years in Wisconsin and working quite closely with attorneys I have learned a great deal of information regarding landlord/tenant relationships. Additionally my previous experience included assuring that the company I worked for was compliant with regards to the law.
Education/Credentials Attended several seminars regarding landlord/tenant laws. Over 13 years in the industry.
Past/Present Clients New Land Enterprises, LLP - Milwaukee, WI. EA Properties - Green Bay, WI. Fox Valley Housing - Appleton, WI. Kevin Zimmerman, Wendy Scheels, Dave Anderson and other independent owners throughout the state of Wisconsin.
A few weeks ago, my friends and I had agreed on an apartment to lease for the upcoming year. Since we're in downtown Madison and we're students, we're currently in a typical 8/15/08 - 8/14/09 lease. When we met with the prospective landlord for next year, we'd verbally agreed upon a similar time frame (i.e., 8/15/09 - 8/14/10). Last time we met with him, however, the year-long lease he drafted began on 6/1/09. We can't afford to pay two overlapping leases, and now he wants to find tenants that can deal with the June move-in date. Is there anything we can do? Ideally, we still want that same apartment. Otherwise, we've lost about a month of apartment "hunting", and most of the other places we were considering have now rented out.
Thanks,
Aron
ANSWER: Aron:
Thanks for the question.
Have you spoken to the Landlord to ask why he changed his mind? That seems kind of "bait and switch" to me and overall not a good business practice.
Sadly, though to answer your question there isn't anything you really can do. Did he give you an application to fill out with the desired dates filled in at the top of it? If so, you may have some leverage there.
He said they can't afford to have the apartment empty for those months we wouldn't be able to rent. Financially it makes sense for them, but it's definitely not good business practice, especially for an extremely small company. We've already submitted applications and have been accepted, and we have a hard copy of the lease drafted for June 1st, but nothing on paper that says August.
Thanks,
Aron
Answer Aron:
Thanks for the additional info. I was really hoping you would say that there were dates put onto the application.
Of course, we can understand why they now wanted it filled for June.
