I secured a new job in Yakima, Washington (moving from Minnesota). I have 3 dogs, so it was difficult to find a place to rent. I found a place, signed a lease, and secured UBoxes to ship to this address. Not that it matters except to me, but I moved the closing of my house up one month to secure this place. I had one other location that would take the dogs and it was a difficult choice. I texted this landlord in question to make sure I had the unit. He wrote back-it is yours. You can turn down the other place.
About two weeks before I was to move, the landlord called and said the current tenant was refusing to leave and he was going to have to cancel my lease. I totally panicked, because I had nowhere to live. I could not believe he could do this. Eventually, he admitted that this woman also had a lease (for another 3 months), and he had let her out early to be nice (but had nothing in writing).
Long story short, this started a cascade where I had to turn down this job offer. I could not find a place to rent with 3 dogs. I was preapproved for a loan but the houses are just way overpriced and in terrible shape in my price range. My items are still in storage and I had to move to Illinois where my family is.
Can they do this? I have tried calling attorneys and they all have been saying they only represent landlords. I have wondered if they are really even landlords, but he said he coaches track and seemed like a "real" person.
What really gets me is they have no remorse, especially the wife. It really bothers me that people can be so heartless. The husband agreed to pay my storage fees for a month, but then said he had to talk to his wife. I called to follow up (with all 3 dogs in my car and my car filled with my belongings). He said, "Now, who is this? Oh yeah I totally forgot about you.".
I would love any advice (or just general commiseration would help, too! : ))