Renter Beware -Keep Detailed Move-In Inspection Records

Renter Beware! When you move in, immediately request the move-in inspection form and fill it out in detail. After detailing every single thing that is wrong with your apartment, take photos and email a copy of the move-in inspection form along with the photos immediately to the Annex, and be sure to save records of all of this. When my son moved into the Annex he did not get a move-in inspection form (you get so busy moving in you tend to forget these details), but we quickly took a few photos of some of the things that looked damaged. Since he'd never had problems with false damage claims at other apartment complexes where he'd rented, we didn't prioritize detailed record keeping of all of the issues. Our son didn't complain about the unsavory condition because he was trying to be an easy tenant, not expecting a picture perfect apartment in a college town. Unfortunately he learned the hard way that he should have been more difficult, detailed and thorough. We were just charged hundreds of dollars for repairs-for carpet fraying and stains that were there before he ever moved in. While we totally understand and are happy to pay for honest cleaning fees or repairs, we are not ok with paying for damages that he did not cause and were there before he ever moved in. The Annex claims that since we did not submit a move-in inspection form, they now will not accept the photos we took on move-in day as proof (because they claim we could have changed the date the photos were taken). I see other reviewers online say similar things so it seems this is a tactic they use to make extra money from each tenant. The apartment complex surely has photos from the previous tenant's move-out records that would show the true condition of the property before it was re-rented, but they choose to play the "you can't prove it so we can blame you and charge for whatever we want" tactic. It's so sad that companies choose to lie, defraud and steal as way to get ahead. Lesson learned for our son and hopefully this review can help others to avoid similar issues. Do yourself a favor and consider renting from a different complex. Also, as a side note, the general look of this apartment complex is cute despite the rotting, moldy exterior, the amenities are nice, maintenance people are kind enough, but management is unapologetically dishonest. Bus service was down frequently, so just be aware that you cannot depend on the bus as a reliable way to get to and from the campus.