My name is Karen. I live in a CitiApartments building in the Tenderloin, and I was involved with the CitiApartments' relocation program, which turned out to be "too good to be true," as I'd suspected.

After they took over my building, CitiApartments offered me money to move. They pressured me into signing the relocation agreement and I wasn't sure if I should accept the relocation check or not. A lawyer advised me to put their verbal promises in writing before accepting the check, which I did. The promise was that I could get an apt at least as big as my current one for what would amount to the same rent, taking into account a "rebate" that they would pay me when I moved. The rebate would cover the difference in rents from between 1 to 5 years.

This is the text of the letter I wrote to verify the verbal agreement:

Trophy Properties VIII, LLC,
2099 Market Street,
San Francisco, CA 94114

Andrew Hawkins:

I'd like to put the verbal part of our Relocation Agreement in writing. I will move out of my current apartment at XX Eddy Street, #X if your free rental agent can help me to find a comparable or larger unit that rents for $741.49/month, my current rent, by January 5, 2008. I may be granted extension(s) up to April 5, 2008. You will provide free movers for one trip, transfer my security deposit to the new unit, and waive the credit check.

Sincerely,
Karen

After the letter, I was assigned to my first agent, Dan O'Leary, who said that their studios start at $1000, so I wouldn't be able to find anything for $741.49, my current rent. I asked him about special deals for relocating tenants, and after checking with someone else there, he repeated his original statement -
basically no special deals on rent.

Later, Andrew M. Hawkins told me he'd assign me a "better" relocation agent, Susan Getz. She showed me some units in a building in a better neighborhood than where I am now. She said that in order to get a studio in a better neighborhood, I'd have to pay about $1400 - the $1000 studios are not in good neighborhoods.

Neither apartment she showed me was as big as my current apartment, which has a separate kitchen. The efficiency for $1200 has a half fridge and microwave - no kitchen sink. The studio for $1400 has a kitchen alcove in the main room. Susan was also vague about the "rebate", saying I'd have to commit myself to a particular unit, then negotiate a deal about the rebate. I was reluctant to do commit myself without knowing what kind of a "deal" I'd actually get, so I canceled the agreement.

I returned the $2100 advance they'd given me, which wasn't easy - I can see how someone could get into a bind by accepting the money, not being able to repay it, and be forced to move into a more expensive apartment (they'd promised me another $2100 payment once I moved).

Here is the letter I wrote to them to cancel my agreement:

Trophy Properties VIII, LLC,
2099 Market Street,
San Francisco, CA 94114

CitiApartments:

I am writing to cancel the relocation agreement that I signed on October 5^th. A check for $2100. is enclosed to refund the advance that I received from Andrew M. Hawkins on October 12^th. He later extended my agreement for one month (email enclosed).

I learned from Susan Getz, your relocation agent, that if I want a studio apartment in a better neighborhood I would have to pay about $1400./month. I am not in a financial position to pay twice my current rent. She mentioned that a cash "rebate" was a possibility, but that would not help me in the long run. I hope to be able to afford a more expensive apartment in the near future, and will contact CitiApartments at that time.

Therefore, I am now canceling the relocation agreement, pursuant to Paragraph 10, Termination.

Sincerely,

Karen