Help! In over my head I think...!

pboae

What is it you are trying to get back off him? All the money you paid, or the cheque he gave you for $1,400 that you lost?
If it's the latter, I doubt there is much you can do about it. It's poor service for him not to reissue the cheque, but I would be surprised if it is illegal.

JuliaJolie

pboae wrote: »

What is it you are trying to get back off him? All the money you paid, or the cheque he gave you for $1,400 that you lost?
If it's the latter, I doubt there is much you can do about it. It's poor service for him not to reissue the cheque, but I would be surprised if it is illegal.

It is actually the $1400. I guess I see it this way - he's essentially kept a full month's rent from me, but my luggage was only occupying the apartment for 5 days - if he isn't prepared to give me my money back, then perhaps I should get a free 25 day stay in his apartment, since I paid for it? I never tried to cash the check, since I had lost it, and unless he forged my signature there would be proof that I didn't, as bank transactions could easily be traced if he cashed it himself (the check came from his wife's account).

The fact that he kept stalling and giving excuses was merely bad form, but then the moment he hung up on me after knowing who I was, reeked of scamming. He obviously thought I wasn't going to bother pursuing it, as his current tenants (who are also students) didn't realise how much he was ripping them off either. I am going to try to pursue a credit card claim first. If that's successful I won't have to spend more money going back there for the court date, but I'd be p***ed off about letting him get away with it...

JuliaJolie

Update: My boyfriend just called me up and said that the landlord is countersuing. Rather than indulge in any self-destructive behaviour, I'm obviously going to have to just give up. He won...

paddy's_mum

No, he didn't win, he just thinks he has. Yes, he's got your money but what price do you put on being able to look yourself in the face and know that you are a decent human being? How do you put a price on such a valuable lesson, one that will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life - you'll never get caught out like that again, will you?

I know it's galling but don't let the experience sour you. Just relax and think to yourself how much energy he must be wasting having to be this 'clever' all the time, besides trying to keep skating on very thin ice. How exhausting and all for a few dollars more ...