Hello,

I have a question as to what my rights are. For months my Apartment community has advertised if we send a referral that we could receive $500.00 off our rent. We referred a renter in March 09. She actually moved into her apartment March 28, 2009. My husband went to our leasing office June 1, 2009 to inquire about the $500.00 referral so that he may deduct it from our rent and was told by the leasing Agent that we would be able to take if off July's rent as the new renter had to live in the apartment 60 days. I went into my leasing office Monday June 29th to ask about the $500.00 and was told by the Manager that we could not deduct from the rent but a check would be cut for the amount. She then asked who we referred and I told her, and she told me, “Oh we evicted her so you do not get the referral.” At that time I wasn’t sure on all of the particulars and I decide to leave and further discuss it with my husband. The Renter was evicted on 06/20/2009; therefore her obligation for 60 days had been met. When my husband contacted the leasing office Tuesday June 30th to inform them of that he was told that they would not honor the referral as the renter owe money to the complex due to her eviction and because of that they can not honor the $500.00 referral. I feel that the complex is not honoring the advertisement. We were told that if we refer someone and they stay 60 days we would get the referral, and that's not happening. Please advise on what our rights are?

Have you browsed through the information in LawInfo's Free Legal Resource Center to learn more about your issue yet? See: http://www.lawinfo.com/consumer.html. You can certainly try to speak to a lawyer to determine what legal options may be available. In the meantime, you may be able to learn more on your own. Search the "Free Legal Resources" tab, or browse the Consumer Resources. Good luck.

Well since time was of esscence with this I couldn't wait for any suggestions. I decided to write a letter...and we ended up getting the referral.

Laura
Property Manager
Lakecrest at Gateway Park
4699 Kittredge St
Denver, CO 80239
Dear Laura:
We’ve tried to reach you by phone to schedule and appointment because I feel problems should be dealt with in person. However, I have been unable to get a hold of you to schedule an appointment, and I don’t want our disagreement to go on much longer.
As we understood from the numerous flyers posted on our door if we referred someone we could receive up to $500.00 off our rent. We referred Ashley Green in March 2009. Unbeknownst to us Ms. Green came to the leasing office filled an application and was ultimately approved to move into the complex. Ms. Green signed her lease and moved in March 28, 2009. We were later notified in May that Ms. Green actually moved into the complex. My husband came by the leasing office May 16th to fill in the referral paperwork and took a copy to Ms. Green for her to sign. The paperwork was submitted on around the 24th of May. At that moment Ms. Green was close to completing her stay of 60 days. My husband went to the leasing office June 1, 2009 and talked to Andrea in regards to the referral amount of $500.00 as we wanted to deduct from our rental payment for June’s rent. Andrea explained to my husband that the $500.00 can be deducted from July’s rent as Ms. Green needed to meet her 60-days. I came into the leasing office June 29th to check on the referral amount for July’s rent and at that time I was advised by you that Lakecrest changed your policy and would issue a check in the amount of $500.00, which was not discussed with my husband in June. Laura you then asked who we referred and I mentioned Ashley Green. You stated she was evicted therefore we did not qualify for the referral. As I didn’t know all the particulars, I decided to leave the leasing office to further discuss this with my husband. My husband placed a call and spoke with Andrea Tuesday June 30th, and after the conversation with Andrea we are still not clear on why we do not qualify for the referral. In so many words we took offense to what Andrea stated. When I spoke to you on Tuesday afternoon you insisted Andrea didn’t mean what she said, however that is they way we took it, and especially based on our history with Andrea. Let me first clarify we have nothing to do with the Lease Contract with Lakecrest at Gateway Park and Ashley Green, nor do we want to be involved. We are upset in regards to the referral. Again based on your numerous promotions, if you refer a friend you can get up to $500.00 off your rent. The flyer did not say we will cut you a check for $500.00, the flyer did not say the resident has to stay 60 days, nor did the flyer say after the contract is signed between both parties if an dispute arises than the referral is null and void.
Nevertheless, I must insist that you honor the referral amount in full or provide me something in writing prior to this dispute explaining the terms and conditions of the referral program. We have never had any complaints from any of our neighbors, we referred 2 other residents, one who is still living in the complex, the other recently moved in the beginning of June and we have NEVER been late on our rent. We’ve been residents at Lakecrest at Gateway Park for almost 5 years and in most business we would be considered a valued resident/customer, and based on your ratings in http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate...eway-Park.html of 31% you should appreciate us.
I look forward to receiving that response as well as that referral amount of $500.00.

Good luck to you. Let us know how it works out.

Sounds like it worked out for you. The time you put into writing the letter appears to have paid off! Nice work!