Brunetti Realtors, Bernardo Brunetti, Dorthy Brunetti, Brunettiusa, Brunetti Realtors stole an extra month deposit violating landlord tenant laws and is now violating several terms of our lease including trying to throw me and my pregnant girlfriend on the streets. St. Louis, Missouri

After searching for over twelve months for a home for me and my girlfriend to start a family and get away from city crime we came across an ad from Brunetti realtors. After looking at the home, filling out the application and paying fees we were accepted to rent our first house. Brunetti said because we were young without very much established credit he would require a $5000 deposit. He agreed to take three months plus first month up front. We signed the lease on June 17 for one year. We fell in love with the place. Its perfect for us and our two dogs. Everything seemed ok at first. We had a few complaints and small repairs to be done to the house. I called several times and sent emails to the maintence address and never received a response. I decided to perform the minor repairs myself and didn't worry about it and I didn't feel like waiting.

A part of the lease said we can perform minor repairs out of our pocket under $100. Another clause of the lease states a 24 notice is required before the landlord comes onto the property, so my girlfriend was very surprized when he just showed up one day with another man. It really scared her because she didn't know who he was (the lease was handled through his secretary and we'd never met the owner). Than I received a call from Bernardo the owner asking me to leave. He said he had a nice apartment for me in the city. I told him of course not. Why would I leave I've been here for a month. That was the last I heard from him for two months. Than I recieved an eviction letter. It was taped to the window and said I had to surrender the property by september 30. When I asked Bernardo what was this about he couldn't tell me. He said it was his lawyer who was evicting me. Thats crazy. I'm not stupid.

I finnally pressed the issue with his lawyer and got ahold of her. She told me I needed to get out now. When I asked why she stated it was for committing acts in violation of the law. She wouldn't say anything else and was very angry. Neither me or my girlfriend have broken any laws. After that I was served with paperwork from his lawyer Kathreen Davis stating they have filed suit against me for holding over the house and are sueing for twice the rent every month we stay. I just came out here for some peace and quite. I've had it with bad landlords. He already took an extra month as security than he was suppose to which violates the law. He was only allowed to take two months deposit. We've been layed off for a couple months now and don't have the extra money for a lawyer but its either that or risk being out on the streets for the holidays.