Obligo, New York NY

My landlord's Property Management Company chose to use Obligo. We were told we had the option to "opt-in with our security deposit. " I chose not to. However, I have continued to receive the same marketing email from them, sometimes 3 times within a 10 minute window, and even Christmas morning was no exception!

Here is a timeline of the emails I have received from Obligo:
Nov 11 - 11: 13am
Nov 14 - 11: 13am
Dec 6 - 8: 01 am
Dec 6 - 8: 05 am
Dec 13 - 8: 04am
Dec 13 - 8: 09am
Dec 13 - 8: 15am
*Dec 13 - 5: 25pm, I requested to not receive any future communications. *
Dec 13 - 5: 26pm, confirmation that they received my request
Dec 14 - 7: 17am, email from Jennifer Ronas stating they received my request
Dec 14 - 7: 52am, Allan emails me saying "I'm going to add you to our "do not contact" list. Have a great day! "
Dec 25 - 8: 05am
Dec 25 - 8: 09am
Dec 25 - 8: 14am
Dec 29 - 9: 23am
*Jan 1 - 7: 01pm, I request to be removed for the 2nd time. *
Jan 1 - 7: 01pm, confirmation that they received my request
Jan 2 - 5: 40am, same email from Jennifer Ronas stating they received my request
Jan 2 - 7: 15am, Allan sends the same verbatim email.
Jan 6,8: 05am
Jan 6,8: 09am
Jan 6,8: 15am
Jan 6,8: 21am
Jan 6,8: 41am

Marketers have 10 business days to honor your unsubscribe request. Since my two requests were not honored within the designated time from, I finally reported Obligo to the FTC for spam.:)

Presentation makes one believe the service fee paid to Obligo goes toward payment to landlord of any possible damages caused by tenant. This is not the case. Asked for a refund as I will pay security deposit and I receive bad customer service from JM who didn't answer my inquiry but pretty much redirected the topic of conversation with bad spelling and grammar in email reply. Bad experience.

I’m super happy about this option! I only have to pay about 1/6 of the whole security deposit leaving the rest of the money free to invest!

Our leasing agent, Miranda was very professional and knowledgeable about the rental market. But most importantly, she was very kind to us. We also met a couple of maintenance staff. They too were friendly and ensured us that we had chosen the right place.

Super helpful and user friendly. I love that I didn't have to pay an arm and leg to move in to my new place!

Pretty simple process! Was able to avoid the hassle of having to get a money order to complete my rental deposit and I was able to save thousands of dollars during the process. I highly recommend this product.

I really had a pleasant experience setting up Obligo it was fast in easy approved within seconds would recommend to others and I think all companies should do the same

Obligo is a life saver! It was nice to not have to stress about coming up with the extra money for the security deposit. The money we saved helped us immensely.

Obligo - Local Office and Association is connected to
Affinity Management
And nepotism relationship with owner Dave Lynch.

They advertise:
“ Rent with Confidence
We only work with trusted property managers who pass our qualification process. Your information remains private and secure. “
But in fact
Affinity Management has several goggle reviews that they are practicing unethical business practices and past tenants have legitimate complaints and concerns about their move out - expense that Affinity Management are predatory charging. Now as of 2023, are using Obligo as a predatory company to entrapping unaware renters/ tenants into a ambiguous contract and false promises.

They do not protect or assist in your dispute with Affinity Management discrepancies. Be advised and aware.
If I was you, to not use them as for they have others writing reviews with offers to receive a $100 gift electronic visa for your review.
Housing4strong made review for this offer. And noted that there’s a dispute with said company when offered the services.

Other influencers are using it on low income, tenants affected with lower credit scores, limited funds for move in and needing their security deposit not to be taken in questionable situations from landlords, and Obligo company in Iowa are joining the Lenders/ Real Estate Management Company to prey on these tenants/ renters.

“So what are their qualifications for accepting these property managers? “ their process appears to strictly be adverse to the tenants.

Their company representative wrote:
“ In our dispute resolution process, it's our protocol to engage with property managers to **streamline communication**, especially when renters wish to dispute charges***

In your case, I successfully reached out to your property manager to promptly explain the situation. You can continue disputing with your landlord while making **{ these payments aren’t the money payments but a full payment to the dispute amount of being illegally charged for move out } ——-…payments to Obligo***

***If your landlord agrees to refund you at any point, your balance with us will be adjusted accordingly. *** the ambiguous terms.

NOTE:
When you signed up for Obligo's services this summer, you authorized us to cover **any move-out charges when you your security deposit was applied to your rent as outlined in our terms of service. **
{ Check your contract Queen signing up *} as a result I’m in legal dispute for contract ambiguity and breaches.

…. Failure to commence payments may result in your bill being sent to collections, potentially affecting your credit score. Your cooperation is essential in finding a resolution, and I'm here to assist you throughout this process.
Best regards,
Robert
Obligo Support Team
Robert
Obligo

Also,
We strive to provide amazing support. I kindly ask that you rate our interaction or provide any additional feedback.
​
Have a great day!
-Robert Obligo Support

I rate the company and service at the least star of 1 because can’t do zero.

Reasons:
This local company will not have your best interest or intentions to assist but actually assist in affecting your credit/ ability to rent afterwards as being listed adverse to other property management companies in your credit report.

This is predatory lending

And if you do not have contract law or lawyer read this ahead of time they will bind you to these terms:

THESE TERMS CONTAIN AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT, WHICH WILL WITH LIMITED EXCEPTION, REQUIRE YOU TO SUBMIT CLAIMS YOU HAVE AGAINST US TO BINDING AND FINAL ARBITRATION. UNDER THE ARBITRATION AGREEMENT, (1) YOU WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED TO PURSUE CLAIMS AGAINST OBLIGO ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION OR PROCEEDING, AND (2) YOU WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED TO SEEK RELIEF (INCLUDING MONETARY, INJUNCTIVE, AND DECLARATORY RELIEF) ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS. DISPUTES BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR LANDLORD WILL CONTINUE TO BE GOVERNED ACCORDING TO THE TERMS OF YOUR AGREEMENT WITH YOUR LANDLORD.

With moving the holidays! Obligo was a life saver with approving me for the save your deposit option and now my first months already paid for and waiting to move in! Thank you so much!

Very great and I can’t believe your guys did great customer service and everything. Any one they can trust them 100%

This is a great opportunity to curve the cost of moving. I was very pleased with this deposit help.

This company is a scam. The monthly payment goes into a hole. You're better off just paying the deposit because you'll end up paying the deposit when you move out anyway plus the monthly obligo payment

This is such an amazing company what a great deal this helped me and my family so much. Thank you obligo you are my hero’s.

It's an awesome option for tenants to help speed up move in process by being approved quickly. Tenants have the option to use the service and not have to come up with a large payment up front.

Highly Recommend!

This process was extremely easy and is very beneficial when you need security deposit assistance. I’m so happy this was available to me.

This is the best company I have sign up with from my landlord. They offer deposit free to move in your new home. You just have to qualify for it, which is very simple. I encourage anyone who is trying to rent a home but is unable to pay the deposit to sign up with them. They are very helpful in this hard time. This is the second time that I am renting deposit free. You just have to take care of the house so you won't have to pay any damage. The staff is very courteous and will walk you through any problems that you may have. I recommend them to anyone who needs help in renting deposit free. Thanks guys.

Obligo was very helpful with my move in process they saved me a lot of money with their program I would recommend them to anyone looking for a rental place!

What a joke they're in the landlord's corner they want the landlord to not collect the deposit and have to do the administrative work necessary to return the deposit to the customer at the end of their lease. My credit score suffered because I had to open two different bank accounts to comply with obligo and plaid which is the software that moves the money from your bank account.the property management company is called equity team equity team is an absentee company That doesn't want anything to do with this customers and charges a $9 fee to pay your rent in person and not online.deposit free is a joke you're paying a sizable fee for them to guarantee/ insure e that you're not going to mess up the apartment.it's for people who are struggling coming up with the deposit thinking that this company will come to their rescue it's all about the landlords in this deal

The best company I've dealt with in awhile. I was able to keep my deposit to use on other things I needed. It was a tremendous help.