I'm supposed to have a lease for an apartment in Jersey City, NJ that begins this Friday, January 15th. However, I've encountered several warning signs that the management company is totally inept. I already gave them the security deposit and first months' rent, but I haven't actually moved in yet.
The apartment is a brand new renovation. When I first saw it, the kitchen sink, countertop, and appliances were not in place. Overall though, the apartment was quite nice and in a great location, and I knew everything there would be brand new.
- I went to sign the lease on Saturday 1/9. While walking in with the realtor, we bump into a previous client who moved in. She says that she'd been living there for 2 weeks without a kitchen sink , but that she was well otherwise. I found this concerning but told myself I wouldn't move in if anything is missing.
- I go to the apartment to inspect it and sign the lease. Its condition had not changed in a week, though I test all outlets and plumbing fixtures. They promise that it would be finished before moving in. I signed, because it was a new apartment for a good price, and gave my deposit. Also, the lease agreement specifically says that if the apartment isn't habitable on move-in day, that my rent would be prorated until it is.
- A few days later, I return to pay the first months' rent. The realtor tells me that they got the apartments confused, and that the apartment that would be mine is actually a different one. The second apartment has an identical layout and is being renovated as well, so it didn't bother me much. I haven't signed a new lease for the correct apartment.
- I return to the apartment today, 1/13 and I'm given the keys by the super. All the fixtures are in place, but the apartment is still DIRTY.
- The kitchen sink is filled with what appears (and smells) like sewage water
- A roach emerges from behind the kitchen cabinets
- There are other problems with the apartment, though they're things that could be reasonably fixed before Friday - for example, large gaps between pipes and the floor, open space around the kitchen sink pipes, and a dirty rug on the fire escape.
- I tell the super and the realtor about the problems I find, and they both shrug it off. The realtor says "I've been renting to people in this building for 3 years and nobody ever saw a roach. Maybe it came in from outside." The super says "we won't clean it because they don't pay us to do that, but here's the number for the contractor".
- The realtor and super both say that the exterminator already came for the month, and I'd have to wait until he comes back for roach supplies and an inspection.
- I call the Health Department to find out what my rights are. They say the place must be treated before I move in.
- when I tell the realtor what the health department said, he lashes out and asks why I called them. He tries to reassure me that everything will be fine.
- I call the management company to get answers. The head of building management isn't available, and he is supposed to call me tomorrow. I've also emailed him pictures of the apartment.
So far I've had a negative experience renting this place, and I get the impression that the super doesn't take responsibility for the building upkeep. I haven't actually corresponded with anyone from the management company in a meaningful way, so I have yet to see how responsive they'll be. Here are my questions for all of you.
- If I decide to back out, can I get my deposit and first month rent back? The checks were both certified checks. I haven't yet moved in and technically I don't even have a lease for the right apartment, and my walkthrough was also for the wrong apartment.
- What the heck is up with the sink? How did poop get in there? How concerned should I be that it's clogged like that?
- Am I overreacting to the roach? Is it really a roach? (pic attached) I'm upset that the super and realtor didn't take it more seriously. I know that bugs are a fact of life, especially in urban apartment buildings. But I'm worried that they might not be doing enough to keep them out and I'll be moving into an infestation.
- Why would they give me the keys when the apartment is not even presentable?
My pictures of the sink and roach are attached below.