So in the city in which i currently reside there are at least a dozen big and probably a hundred smaller realty/property management companies. Most of these companies “advertise” apartments either via signage out front of buildings:
Or via the same tactic in the local weekly or student paper. Just as a test i went for a walk last weekend and took a few notes along the way. I called 5 different realty companies for 5 different buildings–all of which had signage similar to that posted above. Well, guess what? Not a single one of them had any available apartments in ANY of the buildings. But of course they were happy to show me other places “just as fabulous.” So, whats up with this? Is this just false advertisting, the bait and switch, or is this somehow ligit? :mad:
I would guess that since the signs didn’t state that the available apartments were actually in the buildings by the signs, that there’s not a violation. And since the advertising didn’t specifically offer an apartment in one of those buildings, it’s not bait and switch.
They could advertise on a billboard and the question wouldn’t come up. In a sense, they’re putting the equivalent of a billboard on land they own, which is understandable. Whether a vacancy in the building adjacent to the sign was implied by them or was inferred by you is debatable. While one could argue it’s a deceptive practice, I don’t see it as unequivocally deceptive, and I doubt it’s illegal.
Well, im sure its not illegal as there would be some serious prosecution (well, not really, as this area is very much in favour of the rentee/leasee) because these practices are used by literally every property management company. It is down right deceptive and something should be done because the signs say everything from: now leasing, now available, prelease now, youre new apartment, blah blah blah. Which when placed DIRECTLY in front of an apartment/condo complex implies that the reference is being made to that particular building.
They also offer free searches on some websites of “currently available” apartments. NONE of which are “currently available.” Imagine doing a search on a$$hole properties website and thinking, “hey, that looks like a great place.” So, you call only to be given the sales pitch and conned into letting some jack off show you a bunch of dumps and waste an afternoon. Now multiply that experience by 3 and you know where im coming from.
Well, im sure its not illegal as there would be some serious prosecution (well, not really, as this area is very much in favour of the rentee/leasee) because these practices are used by literally every property management company. It is down right deceptive and something should be done because the signs say everything from: now leasing, now available, prelease now, youre new apartment, blah blah blah. Which when placed DIRECTLY in front of an apartment/condo complex implies that the reference is being made to that particular building.
They also offer free searches on some websites of “currently available” apartments. NONE of which are “currently available.” Imagine doing a search on a$$hole properties website and thinking, “hey, that looks like a great place.” So, you call only to be given the sales pitch and conned into letting some jack off show you a bunch of dumps and waste an afternoon. Now multiply that experience by 3 and you know where im coming from.
Well, im sure its not illegal as there would be some serious prosecution (well, not really, as this area is very much in favour of the rentee/leasee) because these practices are used by literally every property management company. It is down right deceptive and something should be done because the signs say everything from: now leasing, now available, prelease now, youre new apartment, blah blah blah. Which when placed DIRECTLY in front of an apartment/condo complex implies that the reference is being made to that particular building.
They also offer free searches on some websites of “currently available” apartments. NONE of which are “currently available.” Imagine doing a search on a$$hole properties website and thinking, “hey, that looks like a great place.” So, you call only to be given the sales pitch and conned into letting some jack off show you a bunch of dumps and waste an afternoon. Now multiply that experience by 3 and you know where im coming from.
It’s illegal … but it’s really a zoning violation. If they have a sign on one property advertising vacancies on another, it’s really a billboard or off-premises sign, which typically isn’t permitted in residentiala reas in most cities. Enforcement might be a problem, though, because it would involve a zoning administrator or code enforcement officer calling the numbers listed on the signs, and inquiring about apartments in the building.
Most zoning codes permit “for rent” signs, when the property the sign sits on actually has a rental unit available.
Yea, that was kinda my feeling, thanks. Becuase these signs are DIRECTLY infront of all these buildings. The problem is that this place (Austin, TX) has a HUGE turnover and this sort of thing is absolutely not enforced. I even called a post for a vacancy where some guy at one of the property management places put his personal contact info down (cell #). As if he had a personal lead on a an apt in the building. Same game, “no, nothing in that building ‘right now,’ but if you want to look at some other places.”
BTW, i will try to refrain from TRIPLE posts in the future (damn slow/broken forum :mad: ).
Nope, thought of that also. I am looking for a place with a lease to start sept 1. Every single one of these poeple said i was “looking too soon.” However, they do have the whole “pre-lease” thing here. Where people look for places in January that wont be leased until the fall! Yea, i tried that also, again same scam. The signs, “pre-lease now” out in front of a specific building or for a property management “pre-lease search engine.” Contact them, “no sorry, nothing in that building for prelease, but i could show you some other cock roach infested, rats nests if you like.” :mad:
I swear that looking for housing in Berkeley is easier than this. At least in berkeley there is no blatant deception. Granted there are no places for rent, but thats another story . Oh well…just seems like this sort of thing should be against the law if its not.
. Oh well…just seems like this sort of thing should be against the law if its not.