Landlord keeps delaying move-in

[Lena Kelley]

Background information: On July 30th, I first called a building manager interested in her apartment. I explained I can only commit to a 6 month lease. After touring the apartment, I immediately applied for the apartment. She said she'd contact me by August 3rd to let me know if I was accepted. On August 5th I had heard nothing, so I called to check, and she said she'd have to wait on the background check to come in. Finally, on August 7th I was approved. She asked for an additional week to fix a leak in the bathroom, which I was fine with. I told her I was going in vacation, but I could give her the security deposit and I could sign the lease on the 13th. She said she'd email me the information about the electric company and connecting WiFi that day (the 7th).

I reached out to her multiple times after she never submitted the email. She said she needed time to send the email. The 13th comes, and I don't see any email. I ask her if we can meet so I can sign a lease, and she says her computer crashed, so she can't give me the lease, but she wants the deposit. This seemed off to me, but I gave her a check and had her write up a receipt. At this point she says the plumber never showed up, and she needs more time to get the leak fixed. I tell her I need to be moved in by August 25th because I'm a teacher and I need to be in the area. She says it will happen.

Two days ago she tells me the plumber never showed up again, and she can't give me a lease until she knows the move-in date, and that the move-in date is dependent on fixing the leak. She said she'd confirm I can move in on the 25th.

I've reached out to her today after getting no response. She has a good reputation in the community, and she rents out multiple buildings. It seems unlikely for her to scam me, but I'm ina tough position. Every time she says she'll contact me, she never does, and every time I reach out to her there's another excuse. Is there anything I can do? I wish I could back out of this apartment, but I need a place to live in that area ASAP. She's offered for me to move in a few boxes, but with no lease I don't like the sound of that.