Regus, NY, White Plains - Exchange at Westchester

Harry Otto 5 months ago

In all transparency, it's important to note that I hold a valid New York State Real Estate Salesperson license. Therefore, I approach this situation from a New York Real Estate Law perspective rather than an emotional one. Our company initiated several calls in search of a convenient drop-off location for client documents, reaching out to Regus, Serendipity, KOI, and Stark. After thorough deliberation, we ultimately decided on a different location in Mt Kisco. However, four months later, we received a call regarding a bill exceeding $3000 from Regus, accompanied by an offer to settle for over $5000*. Upon requesting supporting documentation, they provided an "agreement" with my name printed, which they claim constitutes a signature. However, upon reviewing the document for the authorized signature of a Regus representative, as mandated by NYS law, we found it to be absent.** Moreover, the document they claimed represented the rental agreement provided no indication of square footage or location.*** When we insisted on receiving further information, they resorted to fabricating a security deposit payment and manipulated it to create the illusion of a legitimate lease formation.**** Upon delving deeper into the matter, we discovered that this was merely a deceptive tactic employed by them to appear legal. Subsequently, we inquired about the issue of "possession." Did anyone ever have possession of any space? Were there any keys, fobs, or other forms of access? Moreover, we sought information regarding the identification of anyone who had rented a space there in case of any incidents. Understanding that Regus is not based in New York, I acknowledge that, at the very least, for a rental agreement to be valid, it should include a genuine signature from a Regus representative, a security deposit in place, and the renter must be granted possession of the space. The only advice I have to offer Regus is to hire fully licensed professional salespeople who prioritize "accountability." Dealing with grievances outside of New York reflects poorly on your brand. In this competitive marketplace, employing tactics such as fabricating leases and attempting cash-grabs only works until you encounter someone like me who comprehends the law and will escalate the matter to the attorney general. P.S. Please, refrain from responding to this review with your standard "we’re sorry you feel that way, but we have a signed contract from you" boilerplate nonsense. The crux of the matter is that you do not possess a signed contract (a live person authorized by Regus, acting as the landlord, must sign every agreement). * People v. Gonzalez, 165 A.D.3d 643 (2nd Dept. 2018): In this case, the landlord created a fake lease agreement and then demanded that the tenant pay rent in exchange for not being held liable for the fake lease. The tenant refused to pay rent, and the landlord filed a lawsuit against the tenant. * People v. Diaz, 130 A.D.3d 1039 (2nd Dept. 2015): Landlord created a fake lease agreement and then demanded that the tenant pay rent in exchange for not being held liable for the fake lease. ** Matter of Weingarten v. 100 E. 53rd Street Associates, 57 A.D.3d 544 (1st Dept. 2008) Leases or agreements must be signed by tenant and landlord. Single signature leases have no effect. NYS Real Property Law (RPL) “requirements that must be met for a commercial lease to be valid” RPL § 230-a(2) states that a commercial lease must be in writing and signed by both the tenant and landlord. RPL § 230-a(3) also states that “the lease must identify a person who is authorized to act on behalf of the landlord”. *** Matter of Weingarten v. 100 E. 53rd Street Associates, 57 A.D.3d 544 (1st Dept. 2008) Lease or agreement must clearly indicate the square footage being made available to the tenant or renter. **** New York General Business Law § 352-a prohibits landlords from engaging in deceptive practices, such as fabricating the payment of a security deposit.