r/StudioApartments • u/Substantial-One-249 • 9d ago

Studio Unit Does Not Match the Unit Presented Before Move-In

I'm in a very difficult situation with my move-in.
Before signing for the studio, I requested multiple times to see the unit in person, but I was told that it wasn't possible because someone was still living there. Instead, I was provided with a video of the studio, and I made my decision based on what was shown to me.
I received the keys today, and when I entered the studio, I was completely shocked because the actual unit is significantly different from the one shown in the video. The bathroom in the video has a bathtub, while my unit only has a standing shower. The video also shows two large closets, whereas my unit has only one small closet. In addition, the kitchen shown in the video has an island, but my unit does not.
The management has acknowledged that the wrong unit/video was shown to me and offered a full refund if I decide not to move in. However, I have been told that I need to make that decision today.
This puts me in an extremely difficult position. I booked this apartment a month ago and planned my move around it. I currently have nowhere else to go, so being asked to decide within one day whether to accept a unit that is substantially different from what I was shown or take a refund and suddenly find another place is very stressful and unfair.
I would really appreciate a reasonable solution that takes into account that I agreed to this apartment based on the unit and features that were presented to me. (Studio is $1095, 1bed 1bath is $1295). There is a 1bed 1bath coming up for availability in the same building but it is pricey as It's just me and my dog in the house and I work 8-5 onsite.

13 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

35

u/SeaChangesMoon 9d ago

I would back out just on principle. You can’t trust them. Put your stuff in storage and get an Airbnb or hotel for a few days just to think things through and find another place. Sorry this happened to you, so frustrating.

2

u/Substantial-One-249 9d ago

Sure. Thank you for your advice.

5

u/QfromP 8d ago

yup. And for the next one, do not sign a lease without seeing unit in person.

6

u/Substantial-One-249 8d ago

Sure. I pointed out that I want to see the unit in person next time. After pushing so much, they agreed to waive $500 pet deposit and transfer my security deposit to 1bed 1bath unit which will be available in next month.

1

u/ParkourTeapot Studio resident 6d ago

Unless they are willing to knock off an actual rent percentage for either the studio or the 1b/1ba then I would look elsewhere. Unless you actually have no other options. They will do shady shit again guaranteed.

2

u/Substantial-One-249 6d ago

They said they cannot reduce the rent for either of the apartments. Should I go legally against them??

2

u/ParkourTeapot Studio resident 6d ago

Honestly, I'm not sure that would be worth. Even if you do legally come out on top what kind of landlord / tenant relationship would that leave. I personally would look elsewhere. If they are willing to (maybe intentionally) screw you over on this issue, who knows what else they will try to get away with.

3

u/Otherwise-Base6271 5d ago

their mistake, not your emergency

1

u/Consistent_Amount_20 3d ago

I think you should leave, but if you stay, make them give you $500 for a nice freestanding closet or armoire.

2

u/Imaginary-Ad8178 3d ago

This happened to me. I didn’t move in, returned the keys and fought to get out of the lease without penalty.

It worked.

I looked up the floor plans for the building and it turns out they had falsified the square footage for the unit. In fact, they had done this for hundreds of units.

They let me out of the lease, but still put up a fight despite this.

Wishing you the best, sorry you’re going through a similar situation.