‘It’s just really disheartening’: College student relocates due to move-in conditions at Tallahassee apartment complex
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - As college students have moved in and come upon the first day of classes, some students had to spend the start of their semester moving out of their apartments due to many issues, including mold infestation.
One Florida State freshman moved into the West 10 apartment complex last week. She was thrilled to do so until the experience turned out to be the opposite of what she had hoped for.
The FSU student, Lynden Bartholomew said there was mold, roaches, and what appeared to be mouse droppings throughout her apartment.
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Additionally, Bartholomew submitted a report to management but said not enough was done to make the unit livable, resulting in her breaking her lease and moving elsewhere with the help of a lawyer.
“You just feel really deflated when you are expecting and when you are promised this really clean, really nice apartment and you get in there and it’s just not what you were expecting at all,” Bartholomew said. “It’s just really disheartening because balancing that on top of starting school soon, just getting everything sorted out with parents only being able to stay for so long, it was tough and it made me feel kind of heartbroken.”
The beginning of the semester was also difficult for FAMU junior, Laila Strickland. The student and her aunt, Igela Bray made the trek from Atlanta to move into the Forum at Tallahassee. Bray had to leave her niece to go back home, but she’s concerned from afar.
“The grounds were very dirty, the hallways were filled with trash and as soon as she was ready to go into the apartment, she was attacked by fleas,” Bray said. “The housing situation has discouraged her some, so leaving her in that state of mind, it was hurtful.”
An employee on site confirmed there were fleas in a unit at Forum at Tallahassee and that pest control has treated the apartment.
Attorney Robert Churchill laid out the options for students who may find themselves in similar predicaments to Bartholomew and Strickland.
“The students or tenant can put a landlord on notice through a formal written notice process, " the lawyer said. “It’s usually involving a seven day notice and once you get into that territory, you probably need a lawyer involved.”
Churchill said to check the lease agreement for a buyout provision where the tenant can pay a certain amount of money to have the lease terminated by right.
There is another option on the table as a last resort, according to Churchill.
“You have the option of terminating a lease or withholding rent legally under the Landlord Tenant Act but that’s an adversarial process,” he said. “One that is best avoided if it’s possible.”
Churchill also said tenants should keep open communication with the landlord or representative and ensure all interactions are done in writing. This can include emails, text messages or this can be done formally, by letter.
“That way you avoid confusion which happens a lot but you also have a recorded conversation over what is being promised, what’s being pledged and what problems are being raised and how,” said the attorney.
WCTV has reached out to management at Forum at Tallahassee and West 10 for comment. If and when provided, the responses will be added to our coverage.
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