Rent Stolen

Hey everyone

My issue:

I paid my rent with a money order for the first time, Big Mistake! At our apartments we have a lock box by the leasing office where we leave our rent checks. Well, someone stole the checks from the lockbox. The manager called me and told me to put a stop payment on the check. So, I called Western Union ( Money Order Company ) and they told me that I first have to send them proof of purchase inorder to put a stop payment. It took 7 business days! As it turns out, someone cashed the check 3 days prior. The manager told me that they are not liable for anything and that i'm still outstanding one months rent. I just feel like I shouldn't be responsible for this. I put the money on their property in their lockbox where they told me to put it. Your advice will be greatly appreciated.

You may want to check your state's housing laws to find out what your landlord's responsibilities are regarding rent. Some states require a certain timeframe landlords are required to follow in issuing rent receipts; there even may be specific statutes regarding rent collection that could help you out here. In this day and age, a lockbox outside the management office doesn't sound remotely secure, especially if the office is located in a common area accessible to the public as well. (I'd be curious as to why the box isn't located INSIDE the locked management office, with an outside slot to slide envelopes through, similar to most night-deposit set ups at banks.) It might take some investigation or telephone calls to your city or county's housing office, but I think I'd keep digging to find out if that type of collection meets local or county laws. I'd also suggest filing a formal dispute with Western Union, though that route may not work out in the end. I also find it curious that the money order was cashed by some financial institution, apparently without correct identification verification procedures.
Until you find some type of resolution, I'd suggest you pay your rent as agreed DIRECTLY at the management office and get a written receipt. Unfortunately you're still bound by the terms of your lease and you face eviction if you don't hold up your end of it. You'll be reimbursed at a later date.
Good luck.

I'm of the opinion that you paid rent as soon as you put the money order where you were instructed to do so. If the drop box is specified as a place where rent can be deposited, then you did all you need to do.

Another issue is the money order. Who was the money order made payable to, and where was it cashed? The person/business/bank/whatever that cashed the money order may be liable for the full amount if they accepted the money order with a forged endorsement (which it would have to be unless you just made it payable to "bearer").