Zara Realty Holding Corp.

Absolutely terrible business. Can not wait to move out. Toaches, rats, bedbugs and much more infest the buildings they own. They do not repair the things that need to be replaced, or do any kind of maintenence.

Review: I was recently seeking an apartment in the queens area with Zara reality an angecy located on [redacted]. my realtor took me to several locations finaly taking me to an apartment that I instantly fell in love with. it was a small studio close to my job that was affordable enough to allow me to return to school. upon arriving at the main office I imedeatly noticed that there were shigns on how to go about obtaining a refund in several locations as well as videos documenting the agencies work for the underprivilaged and sick...I was impressed. my information was run and my chrasmatic realtor informed me that while I made enough for to rent the apartment my credit was bad and that I would need a downpayment in exess of four months rent. as the apartment was under construction I was give four weeks to amass the money, but a deposit was necassary. upon reading and sighning the contract I was told that I had the dual option (if things should go wrong) of having my money refunded or being placed in another apartment. after consideration I contacted the company informiong them that I was no longer interested in the apartment as I had located a better place to stay and that it was feasble to repair my credit as opposed to paying the larger downpayment for the residence. I then requsted information on the refund procedure as I had deposited 1,250.00. To say that what happened next was a runaround would be a huge understament I was told that the office did not do reffunds and that any money I had given them would be kept as they lost money holding the apartment for me. as the apartment was under construction and would not be ready for sevearal weeks this statement is a lie. I attempted to work with the company even going as far as to view other available apartments that the agency may have available. it was durring this time that I learned that the rent of the initial apartment I saw was greater than I was told. the agency refuses to tell me deffinitively that they wont refund my money but have taken no steps to return my money. I belive that I am the victim of a bait and switch scheme in which I was shown an apartment, seduced out of a deposit and then tossed to the side. any assistance that you can provide would be greatly apreciated as I have reached a brick wall as far as what to do next.Desired Settlement: I would like a refund of my deposited money and additional money for emotional distress. In the time since Zara took my money I've made multiple trips to the location to inquire about a refund in that time I was successfully passed from employee to employee, each time I was told that they were not refusing my request but that they wanted the opportunity to show me another apartment that cost more than the apartment I was originally shown.

Business

Response:

The following constitutes the owners answers and response to the customer, [redacted]’s, complaint:

[redacted] filled out an application with us. After he was approved, he made a non- refundable deposit so we may take the apartment off the market and held specifically for him. The customer made the deposit on March **, 2012, to sign a lease on April *, 20121.

After holding onto the apartment for three months, the tenant made a request for a refund on July *, 20122

If the complainant is still interested in an apartment with our company, we will give him a credit in the amount paid.

In brief, the complainant left a non-refundable deposit on 3/**/12 to hold an apartment for him to sign a lease on 4/*/12 and then requested a refund on 7/*/12. The same would happen if he left a deposit on a home or a hotel. It is an agreement he made, and he failed to execute.

The owner denies any and all allegations of any improper business. Bases on the information provided, this matter should be dismissed.