CitiApartments (or First Apartments or FirstApartments or firstapts) is adding a twist to its alleged practice of denying former tenants their uncontested security deposits — now they’re lying and saying it’s someone else’s responsibility to pay them back.
Appeal reader T. moved out of her CitiApartments (or First Apartments or FirstApartments or firstapts) building at 345 Fulton on August 15. Her building went into foreclosure shortly thereafter, and went back into the hands of lender UBS on September 28. This has been an ongoing thing for CitiApartments (or First Apartments or FirstApartments or firstapts). However, UBS is a bank, not a property manager, so they hired a company called Laramar to take care of their newly claimed Lembi buildings.
But look at the dates — T. moved out on August 15, and Laramar didn’t enter the picture until Sept 28. Remember this, it’s important.
T says
I managed to leave several voice mails, got an angry women saying to file in small claims court, and someone from their legal department saying the building is in foreclosure and there is no money to pay back.
Finally, she was referred to CitiApartments’ Joe Vargo, whom she emailed. Now, remember those dates from a minute ago?
From: Joe Vargo [mailto:jvargo@firstapts.com]
Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 3:42 PM
Subject: RE: CitiApartments Resident Services Inquiry
We no longer manage 345 Fulton St.
Laramar Urban SF now manages.
Thank you,
Joe Vargo
office: 415.252.3625|fax: 415.558.5860
jvargo@citiapartments.com
So, she responds
I just spoke with Laramar and they took over the property in September, so CitiApartments still needs to refund my deposit.
Please advise.
Strangely, Joe responds, again,
From: Joe Vargo [mailto:jvargo@firstapts.com]
Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 3:42 PM
Subject: RE: CitiApartments Resident Services Inquiry
We no longer manage 345 Fulton St.
Laramar Urban SF now manages.
Thank you,
Joe Vargo
office: 415.252.3625|fax: 415.558.5860
jvargo@citiapartments.com
This is all too common, says Laramar Account Manager AJ Lozano. He confirms that Laramar took responsibility for 345 Fulton on September 28 but, “since CitiApartments didn’t notify their tenants in any way, as a courtesy” they’ve been repaying uncontested security deposits for the three weeks prior, on any date after September 7.
“It’s really sad” he told me. “(CitiApartments) apparently makes a pattern of this. I get so many calls from people who had no idea, and are hoping to get at least some money back from CitiApartments, but we can’t possibly pay every former tenant back, it’s just not feasible.”
“And honestly, why would they – I did not have any contract with them for the three years I rented from CitiApartments / Trophy Apartments,” says T.
Lozano says “they keep telling people to call us, though some of these deposits people are trying to get are from months before we took over. They keep calling CitiApartments and get turned away or sent to us — but in most cases, there’s nothing I can do to help them.”
Since we have Joe Vargo’s phone number from his emails, we gave him a call to see why he seemed to be stonewalling or misleading our reader. We left him a voicemail, but hope springs eternal, and we’re looking forward to his response.
As always, send us your Tales of the Citi. The more stories that are out there, the more educated everyone will be about them and their alleged tactics.
