My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California
Hi I recently viewed a one bedroom apartment and was told by the manager I could secure the apartment until my rental application was denied or accepted. I rushed to the bank and got the holding fee and application fee two hours later and dropped it in the managers box. I called two days later inquiring of my applications progress. the manager said he was waiting on my previous appartment to respond. I again wait two days and call only to be told by the owner this time that they rented the place to someone else. They never called me to deny me. Never called to ask if I could get the information from my previous apartment that they wanted; Which tmy previous renters wouldn't answer because of privacy laws. So the owner then asks if I want a studio and that a one bedroom might be opening up soon. I asked him if I could move in to the studio until the one bedroom opened up. He said yes and all I had to do was bring him a copy of my rental history from my previous apartment on monday. So I call mon to schedule an appt. and the manager says he has no idea what im talking about and that there is no studio no one bedroom available. He tells me to come by and pick up my holding fee and that I still pay the appt fee. I want all my money back from them jerking me around for the last week , If not more for the horrible deception and disappointment. Could I in any way sue in small claims? At least just answer no it would be pointless.

