Am I being overcharged rent? Can I get my money back?

Post date: 2020-08-07 08:12:07

I pay 3.7k/month in rent for the apartment I'm about to move out of. After giving my 30 day notice, I saw they listed it online for 3k/month?? Can I... get that money back?

In Dec 2017, I signed a lease for the apartment I'm currently living in -- initially for 3.4k/month, but it increased to 3.7k over time. I just gave my 30 days notice, but then saw the apartment listed online for 3k/month, and am now confused and annoyed -- am I being swindled, or is this just what happens when rent prices drop dramatically in the area and you're grandfathered into an older lease, or what?

(I live in the SF Bay Area where IIRC rent has dropped 15-20% recently due to COVID / tech companies going remote.)

It's weird and awkward because given the price drops I would consider staying in this apartment complex, but I'm really irked at the idea that I'm paying so much more per month than this apartment is worth...

(I don't think I'm paying for any additional amenities or anything. I am on a month-to-month lease but the initial lease I signed was yearlong and I went on month-to-month after that, so I don't think I have a higher rate because of that.)

I guess my questions are
- is this normal/legal?
- can I get that money back? if so, how? by complaining to them? (I feel like I don't have any leverage... like I can ask the leasing office, but I thought MeFites might be better-informed about e.g. whether I have any legal recourse / what exactly I should say / whether this is unfortunately normal.)

Sorry and thanks so much!

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