Help.
Need advice and leads to a good/aggressive landlord tenant attorney.
I am in a situation that keeps getting worse. I signed a lease, paid security deposit and 1st months rent. 2 weeks later landlord says I need to pay $1000 more for credit check (which he did prior to lease signing) and his condo board application. Prior to lease signing he said the max cost would be $200 for condo board (its not a coop). When I asked if he would split cost, he said no and that he had someone else that wanted the apartment. Then without further word, he sent me a cancellation of lease notice 2 days letter. After weeks of trying to reach him he left a voicemail saying that if I signed the cancellation agreement (basically giving up all claims to the apt.) he would return all my money. Well, I said okay if we met in person and did a simultaneous exchange of signed cancellation for return of money. For the next 2 1/2 months he continued to avoid all calls to his home and office. I finally told him I would need to contact an attorney if he didn't call me back. Next day, he sues me to keep all the money! (by the way, he is a landlord tenant attorney, so all his legal fees are free).
Does anyone have advice or leads to a good/aggressive attorney?