I am contacting you to request your legal assistance regarding a rental dispute in Portugal. I am an expat living in Portugal, and due to language barrier, I am unable to resolve this matter through the standard local legal channels independently.
The situation involves severe breaches of health standards, a broken written agreement, and what appears to be fraudulent behaviour.
Property Provider: Ari Prop (+49 17646044986 (German number used by the provider)) Shirel Sin Tova is the woman I've been in contact with. She is also the landlord.
Amounts paid: 1 month's rent (€ 920) + 1 security deposit (€1840)
The Incident:
Upon arrival, the apartment was uninhabitable. It was filled with garbage, dirty, moldy, and the paint was peeling off the bathroom walls. Due to mold I experienced respiratory issues, and could not stay there for more than 5 minutes, and had to leave due to health and safety reasons.
The Breach of Agreement:
The provider acknowledged the issue to some extent, but conditioned the return of my security deposit on a compromise: I had to sign an agreement accepting the total loss of the first month's rent.
Desperate to recover at least part of my money, I signed the document. However, immediately after obtaining my signature, Ari Prop cut off all communication. They are now refusing to return the deposit as agreed, and they are completely ignoring my phone calls and messages.
I have attached:
1. The original rental contract and proof of both payments (rent and deposit).
2. Photos of the condition of the apartment
3. A copy of the signed agreement regarding the reposit return.
This company left me without a home, having to pay for hotels, taken my rent for a toxic apartment, and has now stolen my deposit through a false written promise. I urgently need Deco's intervention to force this provider to return my security deposit immediately.
Kind regards,
