[Tango-L] apt scam in BsAs

[Mario]

  Well today I went to a newsletter addressed specifically to ex pat visitors to 
BsAs....the thing was full of warnings about varios rip-offs including deposit 
rip-offs...  so, I feel that I gave the correct caveot to the reader of tango L 
when I 'generalized' about doing business in Latin America.  Below is a small 
exerpt...and on and on...

I wish I had read this article referred to below before I told the owner 
> > > of the apartment from whom I am renting when I have my flight back to the 
> > > USA.  You see I signed a TEMPORARY rental contract where I paid the rent 
> > > for the whole year in advance and the contract gave me (exclusively) the 
> > > option to renew for another year if I chose. Each month I have paid the 
> > > expenses for the building and the electricity bill always before they were 

> > > due.  The apmt came unfurnished so I furnished it and then had to have a 
> > > moving sale as the owner wants to rent it unfurnished again.
> > >
> > > I gave him a US$2000 DEPOSIT along with my advance payment for the year 
> > > since I knew I would pay all the expenses on time and keep the apartment 
> > > in excellent condition so I didn't hesitate to think my deposit would be 
> > > returned since it states that is what the deposit is to be used for. 
> > > However after informing the owner about a month ago that I would be 
> > > leaving at the end of the contract period and not renewing the contract 
> > > and that the apmt could be shown to other potential renters, he sent me an 

> > > email informing me that he is not planning to return my deposit when I 
> > > leave.  He is trying to claim I should have to stay 2 years eventhough the 

> > > contract clearly states it is a TEMPORARY RENTAL for one year with the 
> > > date ending Oct 30, 2010. I innocently/stupidly let him know my flight is 
> > > on Oct 28, 2010 so we arranged to meet in the apmt that day.
> > >
> > > I was told to go see a lawyer so I did and we sent a carta documento to 
> > > create a "legal" document that states the owner needs to return my deposit 

> > > when I return the keys to the unoccupied apartment in excellent condition, 

> > > with proof of no debts but what else can I do as I can't PHYSICALLY FORCE 
> > > the owner to return my deposit.  I can see from the other apartment that 
> > > he rents out in the building that he is constantly behind in paying the 
> > > expenses since he rented that aparment in a package with all expenses 
> > > included but he continually neglects to pay them on time.
> > >
> > > I also went to the U.S. embassy to file a complaint.  Now it seems from 
> > > the article that going to A.F.I.P is another option but otherwise it seems 

> > > I would have to file a lawsuit against him and that would cost more than 
> > > US$2000 in lawyer fees, not to mention what I can imagine would be a long, 

> > > drawn out process.
> > >
> > > It's just incredible that we signed the contract at an immobilaria (whom I 

> > > paid commission) in front of an escribano and I have totally complied with 

> > > my side of the contract and he is trying to cheat me out of returning my 
> > > deposit. I thought I would be protected by the contract but there is no 
> > > way to FORCE him to return my deposit when we meet so I can give him back 
> > > the keys and show the apmt in its excellent condition without any debts.
> > >
> > > Anyone with some good advice on what I can do to get my deposit back, 
> > > please let me know!  I am thinking I may have to miss my flight on Thurs, 
> > > Oct 28th to stay a few days to initiate further proceedings.
> > >
> > > Please help . . . I am feeling SO SICK over this that it has almost 
> > > completely ruined my last few weeks here.
> > >
 ...
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