Domicile Difficulties: what to do when screaming isn’t enough

I have spent way too much time over the past couple weeks talking about politics. Sure, it’s a subject that fires me up–and I guess it’s best to write about something you care about–but that’s not the kinda writer I wanna be. I like writing about funny stuff. I like telling amusing, lighthearted stories with my own slanted view on society. So enough with the gloom, doom, and negativity–let’s talk about something fun.

From the “it could only happen to me category,” lemme tellya about the snafu I somehow managed to get caught up in with my landlord. I learned a long time ago I’d much rather have something do something automagically than be held responsible to remember to do it myself. It’s not so much because I’m forgetful…I just sorta get distracted and ignore responsibilities for something more amusing. Either that, or I’m lazy. In any case, it’s all automatic for me. Programming the VCR to record shows (back when I had a VCR) even if I planned on staying home to watch them (ya know, just in case). My phone is “programmed” to change to “audible” every night just in case I fall asleep with it on vibrate. It’s just easier when things happen automatically. Plus, I’m really, really lazy and anything that takes less effort from me is very welcomed.

One of the perks of my housing complex is the landlord takes credit cards (meaning I don’t hafta find my lost, pre-Y2K checkbook). The landlord also offers automatic bill pay. I gave the office my credit card number when I moved in and never had to deal with the hassles of paying rent (except when my bank tried to have me evicted).

When it came time to move in with The Girlfriend, I gave my landlord 30 days notice. Since I was moving out ten days into the month, they informed me I would be held responsible for only ten days worth of rent (I know, obvious logic–but this tale needs a bit of exposition).

I didn’t concern myself with the ten days of rent because I knew they had my credit card on file. I double checked the amount they planned on charging me because I’m a double check kinda guy. But I knew I didn’t hafta worry about paying the prorated rent because they would automatically bill me.

The day I was scheduled to move out, I discovered my landlord didn’t charge me the previously promised prorated amount. Instead–on my credit card–I was billed a full month’s rent. I didn’t get upset at first because I figured this was a simple error. Whomever handled the billing probably wasn’t made aware that I planned on moving out. So I approached the landlord and told her the problem. And to my shock, she brushed it off citing “policy.”

“How is that policy?” I was bewildered. “If I was paying by check, I would have wrote a check for the prorated amount you quoted me?”

Unfortunately, there was no response to that. Once again, policy was cited.

As much as Angry ‘Nerd wanted to come out, I bit my tongue. Even though I was fully entitled to the amount I was overcharged, the landlord was sitting on my security deposit. If I acted like a jerk, who knew how vindictive or spiteful she was? And–perhaps most importantly–I wasn’t entirely moving out. The Girlfriend also had a unit in the complex and I was moving in with her. Not only could the office screw me out of my security deposit, they could also screw me out of hers.

So I bit my tongue and opted to let things play out.

Last week, I went to go see them again. According to California law, a landlord must return your security deposit within 21 days of move out date. It was approaching four weeks–plus, I still hadn’t received a refund for the overcharge.

I received a heartfelt apology. She told me there was a problem with the accounting software and she couldn’t process any refunds. She said they hoped to have something fixed by the end of the day. The gal was very sympathetic and said all the right things. It was hard to get angry because she had an excuse for everything and I was truly powerless. She promised she would call me immediately once things got fixed.

I haven’t heard anything from her since.

This is hard for me because I don’t know how to handle it. When Verizon screws me, I know if I huff and puff; yell and scream; I’ll get results. I don’t care who I have to treat like garbage because I know that Angry ‘Nerd gets results. But this is different. I have to live here. They have not one, but two, security deposits that I hope to get back. I really want to get loud and scream…but I fear it will get me nowhere.

The office overcharged my credit card over a month ago. You’d think the overcharge would be an easy fix (I still think it’s a screw up, no matter what their “policy” is). They could refund me the overcharge. But they haven’t. Now I have a excess charge on my credit card I didn’t plan on. I had to dip into savings to pay off my card because their accounting software screwed up. This whole thing borders on theft!

I know from past experience, I cannot dispute a partial charge on my credit card–only the whole amount. So if I call my bank and try to fight the credit card charge, it’s not entirely just because I do owe my landlord a third of that. Then again, it wasn’t just that they charged me for 20 days I wasn’t living there.

I’m not sure what the next step is–but I know this much: this is the sorta thing that could only happen to me.