I applied to the 3400 Cahuenga property even though I was already approved and had a deposit at a different property. After speaking with the manager on Sat., I was assured that I could have my application approved by Mon. and that my file was complete. I asked if she was certain, because I'd lose the $230 deposit I had on the other apartment and I had to start a new job in 6 days, and thus had to move in by Tuesday. On Mon., despite having provided documentation of a six figure income and six
...figures in savings, they said they wanted more bank statements, which I provided (even though they had previously told me that my file was complete). I was asked at that time to put down a full security deposit, not the customary smaller holding deposit. I refused, because I was not yet approved. Later that evening, I received an email from the manager stating that my application was approved by the director of operations and she again asked me to put down more than the amount of a security deposit (i.e. more than the normal 1 month's rent). The following morning, I called to ask why the amount was in excess of what I expected. (She had not provided any explanation in the email, just asked for more than I expected). She said they were unable to verify my rental history because my last rental building had changed owners and they no longer had my tenant file. Thus, Sky Properties wanted $536 more in deposit money from me, because of the extra "risk." I didn't want to pay the extra money, so I provided my old lease and rent payment receipts and asked them to contact my second to last rental to vouch for me since the most recent one no longer had my records, and would that be enough to get the normal security deposit amount. She said yes. By Wed, I received an email from the director of operations revoking my approval (although I was previously approved if I paid the extra $536, so that goes to show you all they're really fater). She admitted that they had not tried to contact my second to last rental themselves, and only the most recent rental mattered anyway, despite her manager saying otherwise. I lost $270 in deposits/fees and THOUSANDS of dollars in a week of lost job income b/c I had to push my start date back a week due to what they put me through and not being able to move in time. Avoid this company, with their shady, unethical business practices and poor communication, and save yourself the same misery.
Property Manager Responded