Does an Apartment Community have to honor advertised rent?

[QM07]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? North Carolina

I am considering signing a lease tomorrow at an apartment complex in Wilmington NC. The advertised rent for the specific floorplan on their website, www.millcreekapts.com, is $769-$896 and they list the units at 1100 sq ft. The link can be found here : http://www.millcreekapts.com/floorplan.asp?FPID=34079

They are claiming this floorplan can only be rented for $955 now that I am in their office, and the sq footage of the unit is only 1004 sq ft. Is this false or deceptive advertising?

They run their pricing on some "internal" computer system, and at any given day they claim they will get a different quote based on a "matrix" of criteria that the girl claims she "doesn't even try to understand". They actually wanted to raise my rent by $35 a month if I dont sign the lease by Monday, as opposed to Tuesday, because their "computer system" changes the quotes based on the date they input for the lease signing.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated as I'd like to negotiate the advertised price if I can find some legal backing to my argument.

Thanks for your time and consideration in advance,
QM07

 

[acmb05]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? North Carolina

I am considering signing a lease tomorrow at an apartment complex in Wilmington NC. The advertised rent for the specific floorplan on their website, www.millcreekapts.com, is $769-$896 and they list the units at 1100 sq ft. The link can be found here : http://www.millcreekapts.com/floorplan.asp?FPID=34079

They are claiming this floorplan can only be rented for $955 now that I am in their office, and the sq footage of the unit is only 1004 sq ft. Is this false or deceptive advertising?

They run their pricing on some "internal" computer system, and at any given day they claim they will get a different quote based on a "matrix" of criteria that the girl claims she "doesn't even try to understand". They actually wanted to raise my rent by $35 a month if I dont sign the lease by Monday, as opposed to Tuesday, because their "computer system" changes the quotes based on the date they input for the lease signing.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated as I'd like to negotiate the advertised price if I can find some legal backing to my argument.

Thanks for your time and consideration in advance,
QM07

Never heard of this before. Of course you are in a resort area and the prices change all the time.

 

[tranquility]

Clearly, from your description, there was no offer. So, you cannot claim there was a contract with your inquiry. As to "false advertising" maybe or maybe not. That is something for the DA or the BBB to care about. The remedy is not to give you the price in the ad.

Sorry. You have no legal basis for lowering the price.

 

[las365]

I see your point about deceptive advertising, but what I can't figure out is why you would even consider signing a contract with this complex when you can already see what they are like.

Run, Forrest, run!

 

[Hot Topic]

The BBB has no legal authority to do anything about the advertising.

Assuming you can negotiate the rent, you do know that you put a bullseye on your back guaranteeing that they'll terminate your tenancy as soon as they legally can, don't you?

 

[tranquility]

The BBB has no legal authority to do anything much at all. However, they do "care about" such things and when people ask them if the business is reputable, they can give an appropriate report.

 

[acmb05]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? North Carolina

I am considering signing a lease tomorrow at an apartment complex in Wilmington NC. The advertised rent for the specific floorplan on their website, www.millcreekapts.com, is $769-$896 and they list the units at 1100 sq ft. The link can be found here : http://www.millcreekapts.com/floorplan.asp?FPID=34079

They are claiming this floorplan can only be rented for $955 now that I am in their office, and the sq footage of the unit is only 1004 sq ft. Is this false or deceptive advertising?

They run their pricing on some "internal" computer system, and at any given day they claim they will get a different quote based on a "matrix" of criteria that the girl claims she "doesn't even try to understand". They actually wanted to raise my rent by $35 a month if I dont sign the lease by Monday, as opposed to Tuesday, because their "computer system" changes the quotes based on the date they input for the lease signing.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated as I'd like to negotiate the advertised price if I can find some legal backing to my argument.

Thanks for your time and consideration in advance,
QM07

Very simple way to fix this. Call corporate headquarters like I did. They were extremely friendly. Btw the "matrix of criteria is used simply because in your area rents drop and lower depending on the season. However it is usually used for vacation rentals not permanent residences.

 

[ncpropmgr]

This is the way some of the management companies price their apartments. Camden does this all over the country.

But, I agree...don't MOVE IN if you don't like the price.

 

[Alaska landlord]

The BBB has no legal authority to do anything much at all. However, they do "care about" such things and when people ask them if the business is reputable, they can give an appropriate report.

you're right! A few weeks after you send your letter, your apt complex will get a one from the BBB highlighting the benefits of their services.