"We regret to inform you of some very good news..."

[nuos]

Well, this is interesting. I just got home from my weekly hike with Dave. As I stepped out of the car, I mentioned possibly moving out of my apartment due to a potential rent increase. Well, I just checked the mail, and have now found myself in the sort of dilemma that only *I* ever end up in

Comments

[wurtlesworld]

I agree with everyone else. They sent you a document from them (I'm assuming it's on their letterhead or a form with their logo or something? Is it signed?). What they sent you is essentially a contract addendum for your lease. Sign it, make a copy, and send it back. If it's anything like the papers I've signed in the past to extend my leases, then it most likely has a year-long term, but even if they do catch their mistake and change it sooner than that, they shouldn't be able to charge you anything to make up for what you underpaid in the interim.

It's kind of like the difference between deliberately stealing cable or simply choosing not to tell the cable company that you've discovered that you're getting more channels than you're paying for.

[nuos]

Yeah, it's in their letterhead and all, but it's not signed. It doesn't seem to be a yearly thing or anything, it just says, "We reserve the right to raise your rent whenever we see fit." So, whenever they do catch the mistake, they can just immediately raise it to what it's supposed to be. What I'm hoping is that it won't be retroactive, as you said (it shouldn't be, but I'm no lawyer, so who knows...)

[wurtlesworld]

Maybe the safest bet would be to pay the new amount and put the difference in a savings account just in case. Then if they do realize their mistake and it is retroactive, you've got the money. But if you move out later and that money's still in the account, it would be yours.

Or, of course the honest thing would be to go ahead and tell them about their mistake, and might feel better than all of the wondering and waiting to see if they come after you retroactively (and do you think you would feel guilty in a situation like this?).

[nuos]

Your first suggestion is what I'm starting to lean towards. I'd love to just throw that extra $100 at my school loan every month, but if they find a way to screw me over, I'll be in serious trouble if I have no money to my name. I'm thinking I can just save it up until I permanently part ways with them, and then throw the whole lump at some debt.

Your second suggestion is right out, as would it be with most ;) And to answer that last question: yes, I would feel guilty about it.... if it killed thousands of innocent people and made the planet smell like rotting bananas.

[wurtlesworld]

Yeah, I figured on the second one, but I was just checking. Certain people would feel so guilty not reporting it that they would be better off just paying the extra money.

For example, my grandma was SO worried about the fact that she was getting one premium cable channel for free that she called the cable company multiple times and even went down to the office to tell them in person. She kept on until they finally told her that they weren't going to fix it because it would be a waste of money for them to send a technician out there just to cut off that one channel.

I didn't peg you as one of those types, but you never know.