One of the folks who had leased an apartment for a short term moved this past weekend. This was a mixed up situation from the get-go since the arrangements were being "handled" by an insurance claims department. When the guy first came to me, he was in a panic and needed immediate housing (always a red flag any time!) However, I was able to accommodate his family and he filled out and Application and placed the security deposit on the only available unit I had at the time.
It turned out that our community was directly down the street from his condo and the reason he needed to move was because a neighbor's fire had badly damaged his condo. I spoke with the insurance company and they seemed to think this would be a year lease. Eventually they called and said he should only sign a 6-month lease. At the six month mark, they asked for a one-month extension. After I said I could do that, they then called and stated they only needed it for one extra week or two. (Never mind that I don't prorate the last month of rent. Apparently, the insurance company did not care.)
Long story short, arrangements were made for a February 19th move out (a Sunday) with keys to be either put in the night drop box or hand delivered the next day. This unit had already been reserved for a March move in date so I was anxious to get maintenance in there to start the turn. Imagine my disappointment when it took the Resident 2 days to get the keys back to me and imagine my disbelief at the condition of the apartment. To say it was appalling would be the least of how I would describe it.
In these situations, I like to call the now-past Resident and let them know that they are in danger of losing their security deposit and possibly will owe money. Naturally, I offered him the opportunity to meet with me.
He showed up the next day - late (and I really get irked when people show up late to their appointments) and I invited him to come back to my office. He remained standing which is never a good sign, especially since he stands almost a foot taller than I and outweighs me. But I stand my ground (literally) as I explain all the things I found wrong with the condition of the apartment after he moved. He stands there arguing about most items but admitted the fact that he allowed his WIFE to draw on the bathtub with a crayon (the children were under 2 and not able to write "Happy BIrthday!" I am sure) and agreed there would be a charge for that. He acknowleded that no one cleaned the inside of the refrigerator or oven and that there were issues with the carpet having multiple stains. I told him I had a problem with the fact that the carpet was not salvageable, in my opinion, but I explained I would have my carpet expert come out as soon as possible to determine this. I also reported that the entire unit would require a total repaint as every wall had mulitple marks all over them.
He became upset about the carpet and said he wouldn't pay for it, nor would he accept that I would question all the marks on the walls. Hummm. "No, Sir, you will pay for whatever damage you caused."
"Well, you would have to paint anyway and you guys clean anyway, too, so I don't know what you think is so bad."
I asked him if he felt someone could move into his unit today as it was. He hung his head and said he didn't, but that is why people go to apartments - "You guys always have to do this stuff." I looked at him and told him our apartment community is not a hotel. There is not maid service here to clean up after our Residents, and that for someone to leave an apartment like that was never okay.
"Your Lease specifies that apartments must be left in the same condition as received."
There were a few more statements made that day, to be sure. But the one thing that stood out among all others was Mr. M's statement that it's "just an apartment. People stay there for a time and move on" and why would I expect anyone to care about how the carpet and walls look once their lease is up?"
I expect to provide a well kept, maintained, clean, apartment home for all my Residents. I expect my Residents to enjoy the time they spend here but I DON'T EXPECT people to be disrespectful, lazy slobs who feel they share in none of the responsibility for maintaining their own homes.
"Mr. M.," I said, "people LIVE here; they don't just STAY here. Most of your neighbors here have chosen to rent a home for various reasons, and I can guarantee you that just because they live in an apartment, they want to feel pride when their friends and families come to visit. They deserve to walk into an apartment that we have provided on move in day that is welcoming and maintained. I don't want any of our Residents to think that they shouldn't take care of their homes just because it's an apartment." I went on (and I probably shouldn't have) to say that I wondered what his rehabbed condo would look like in six months. In fact, I would NOT even want to see it. The way he and his wife (who was some provileged princess at move in) left 404 Maplestone Lane was a disgrace and they should be ashamed.
To top it off, they left a damaged sofa and loveseat in their garage and told the Maintenance Tech that someone here would love to have it. Really????? If that was the case, then why didn't they take it? It is so disappointing to hear someone say, "It's just an apartment."
It isn't just an apartment. It's someone's home.
