So this morning I signed an lease for an apartment which is quite a bit more expensive than my current place. I signed all the papers and everything but did not hand them a check for the application fee, I told them I would return with it tommrow(didnt have my checkbook).... So this evening I get laid off from my job now with 0 income and I'm scheduled to move into an new apt come may 1st. Am I stuck in this situation or does it not become officall until they recieve your application fee even though I have signed???? Anyone? Anyone?
I would appeal to their good nature. Explain your situation. Surely they wouldn't hold someone to a brand new lease that no longer has any means to pay.
just say the info on your application is no longer valid. you have to fill out the income info on there.
I have worked for a lot of apartment managment companies and I'd go with this route. If management is smart enough, they'll get out of this as well, they might not have even leased the place out to you had they known your financial situation. There isn't a whole lot you can do since you signed, a $35 application fee won't do the trick, but hopefully they'll just tear the lease up. Sorry to hear about you losing your job.
I'm sure if you talk to them they'll work it out with you. I had problems paying my full rent due to some medical bills a few years ago, and my apartment complex was completely sympathetic and helped me out.
That application (and the fee) is for a credit check. Without a job, you are no longer a good customer for them and they likely don't want you moving in. And, it's cheaper for them to know this now than to move you in, incur bad debt when you miss the rent payment and incur eviction costs to move you out. They might want some money for the lease-break, but you should be able to negotiate that away since they haven't lost much by you yet. Though you should pay the application fee since they've already paid for their credit check.
