How binding is a signed lease before occupancy?

I am so tired of these rental properties ripping people off. I live in Maryland. I completed a rental application on 8/5/00. I was told at that time that although my current lease does not end until 9/30/00, that I have to pay pro-rated rent for 9/20-9/30/00--in addition to 1st month's rent(10/1/00). Then I was told I had to pay my security deposit within 1 week of being approved for the apartment, even though I would not know how much the security deposit is until after they checked my credit, references, etc.

I was approved on 8/10/00. I went in to sign my lease and pay my security deposit on 8/12/00. However, I could not pay my security deposit with a check. I needed a money order or certified check. So I signed my lease but did not pay the security deposit on 8/12/00.

I went in on 8/19/00 to pay my security deposit and found out there was a special for 10/1/00 occupancy. The special is 1st months rent is free if moving in by 10/1/00, but you would still have to pay the pro-rated rent as stated above. The manager was not in, but I said to the agent working "I'm moving in for 10/1/00, am I getting 1st month rent free too?" She told me at the time of my application they were not having the special, and my lease is signed and I am bound to it. I told her, well I want to apply for the apartment today, since it is a matter of dates. I did not give her my security deposit yet. I also did not receive a copy of the lease because they told me I will not get a copy until I moved in (so I can't quote what was in it).

I am not trying to break the new lease (I want the apartment), but considering I am being forced to pay for the apartment (9/20-9/30/00) whether I occupy it or not, and legally I will still be in my current lease (in which case I have to pay the full rent for 9/00). I want to receive the special rate too.

My question is...Will they be able to hold me to the lease although I am not scheduled to move in until 9/24/00? Also, they claim they have a waiting list for their apartments. If they have a waiting list, then why was I allowed to come off the street and get an apartment? And, if they have a waiting list, well I guess they won't have any problems renting the apartment for 10/1/00....which in this case they would rent it for the same special rate that I would like to receive.

Any Suggestions?

[HomeGuru]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mad in MD:
I am so tired of these rental properties ripping people off. I live in Maryland. I completed a rental application on 8/5/00. I was told at that time that although my current lease does not end until 9/30/00, that I have to pay pro-rated rent for 9/20-9/30/00--in addition to 1st month's rent(10/1/00). Then I was told I had to pay my security deposit within 1 week of being approved for the apartment, even though I would not know how much the security deposit is until after they checked my credit, references, etc.

I was approved on 8/10/00. I went in to sign my lease and pay my security deposit on 8/12/00. However, I could not pay my security deposit with a check. I needed a money order or certified check. So I signed my lease but did not pay the security deposit on 8/12/00.

I went in on 8/19/00 to pay my security deposit and found out there was a special for 10/1/00 occupancy. The special is 1st months rent is free if moving in by 10/1/00, but you would still have to pay the pro-rated rent as stated above. The manager was not in, but I said to the agent working "I'm moving in for 10/1/00, am I getting 1st month rent free too?" She told me at the time of my application they were not having the special, and my lease is signed and I am bound to it. I told her, well I want to apply for the apartment today, since it is a matter of dates. I did not give her my security deposit yet. I also did not receive a copy of the lease because they told me I will not get a copy until I moved in (so I can't quote what was in it).

I am not trying to break the new lease (I want the apartment), but considering I am being forced to pay for the apartment (9/20-9/30/00) whether I occupy it or not, and legally I will still be in my current lease (in which case I have to pay the full rent for 9/00). I want to receive the special rate too.

My question is...Will they be able to hold me to the lease although I am not scheduled to move in until 9/24/00? Also, they claim they have a waiting list for their apartments. If they have a waiting list, then why was I allowed to come off the street and get an apartment? And, if they have a waiting list, well I guess they won't have any problems renting the apartment for 10/1/00....which in this case they would rent it for the same special rate that I would like to receive.

Any Suggestions?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Since you signed the lease, you are already tenant that has not paid a deposit, rent or moved in yet.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mad in MD:
I am so tired of these rental properties ripping people off. I live in Maryland. I completed a rental application on 8/5/00. I was told at that time that although my current lease does not end until 9/30/00, that I have to pay pro-rated rent for 9/20-9/30/00--in addition to 1st month's rent(10/1/00). Then I was told I had to pay my security deposit within 1 week of being approved for the apartment, even though I would not know how much the security deposit is until after they checked my credit, references, etc.

I was approved on 8/10/00. I went in to sign my lease and pay my security deposit on 8/12/00. However, I could not pay my security deposit with a check. I needed a money order or certified check. So I signed my lease but did not pay the security deposit on 8/12/00.

I went in on 8/19/00 to pay my security deposit and found out there was a special for 10/1/00 occupancy. The special is 1st months rent is free if moving in by 10/1/00, but you would still have to pay the pro-rated rent as stated above. The manager was not in, but I said to the agent working "I'm moving in for 10/1/00, am I getting 1st month rent free too?" She told me at the time of my application they were not having the special, and my lease is signed and I am bound to it. I told her, well I want to apply for the apartment today, since it is a matter of dates. I did not give her my security deposit yet. I also did not receive a copy of the lease because they told me I will not get a copy until I moved in (so I can't quote what was in it).

I am not trying to break the new lease (I want the apartment), but considering I am being forced to pay for the apartment (9/20-9/30/00) whether I occupy it or not, and legally I will still be in my current lease (in which case I have to pay the full rent for 9/00). I want to receive the special rate too.

My question is...Will they be able to hold me to the lease although I am not scheduled to move in until 9/24/00? Also, they claim they have a waiting list for their apartments. If they have a waiting list, then why was I allowed to come off the street and get an apartment? And, if they have a waiting list, well I guess they won't have any problems renting the apartment for 10/1/00....which in this case they would rent it for the same special rate that I would like to receive.

Any Suggestions?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Could you elaborate please?

[HomeGuru]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mad in MD:

Could you elaborate please?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Please post your specifc question(s). I do not know what to elaborate on.