u/Covid9Tina

Location: Gainesville, Florida

I lived in a commercially owned apartment complex for the past six years. I’ve had roommates come and go, and a lot just kept happening, so I decided to finally leave after a whole black mold incident was extremely mishandled by management. The management team was new this year, seemingly all of the general managers and assistant managers that had been there for years were let go at the beginning of 2026 and they brought in all new people.

My lease ended on July 22nd, but I ended up moving out a little earlier on July 15th. On July 27th they sent me a bill for over $400 claiming that the unit was dirty and a mess and filled with so much trash that they had to hire a cleaning crew, as well as requiring a wall repaint. I sent a dispute email asking for proof, photos, the inspection report, and vendor receipts from the cleaning company they hired. I also explained to them that I moved out before my roommate and any object left behind was not in any way my property. I also made them aware of the fact that I informed them multiple times previously, verbally and in writing, of property multiple past roommates, as well as their own maintenance team, had abandoned in the unit. They removed the charge for the wall repaint “as a courtesy”, but said they will not be removing any other charges and would not supply any of the documents or proof I asked for.

I sent them a follow up dispute email with photos taken from the day I moved in and photos and videos from the day I moved out, as well as photos of some of the things they were trying to charge me for. I also sent them screenshots of past emails where I brought up some of the issues. I again asked for any proving documents and an explanation based on evidence I provided. They are refusing to reply and have seemingly blocked me. Every time I try to send another email, I get an undeliverable return message, but yet they keep sending me notices to pay up. When I call their office, they refuse to speak to me and say that they will only talk about it in writing.

What can I do to get them to reply? Can they actually force me to pay when they are refusing to show proof or give me any explanation of the charges at all? Will I get charged late fees and will it affect my credit if I wait for their response?

And no, there is no security deposit. It was not required to move in, and they never asked for one. This is a move out fee that they are trying to charge like it’s a utility bill or a month’s rent. Yes, there was an inspection, but I was not able to be present for it, and they won’t share the inspection report with me no matter how many times I ask.

Location: Gainesville, Florida

I lived in a commercially owned apartment complex for the past six years. I’ve had roommates come and go, and a lot just kept happening, so I decided to finally leave after a whole black mold incident was extremely mishandled by management. The management team was new this year, seemingly all of the general managers and assistant managers that had been there for years were let go at the beginning of 2026 and they brought in all new people.

My lease ended on July 22nd, but I ended up moving out a little earlier on July 15th. On July 27th they sent me a bill for over $400 claiming that the unit was dirty and a mess and filled with so much trash that they had to hire a cleaning crew, as well as requiring a wall repaint. I sent a dispute email asking for proof, photos, the inspection report, and vendor receipts from the cleaning company they hired. I also explained to them that I moved out before my roommate and any object left behind was not in any way my property. I also made them aware of the fact that I informed them multiple times previously, verbally and in writing, of property multiple past roommates, as well as their own maintenance team, had abandoned in the unit. They removed the charge for the wall repaint “as a courtesy”, but said they will not be removing any other charges and would not supply any of the documents or proof I asked for.

I sent them a follow up dispute email with photos taken from the day I moved in and photos and videos from the day I moved out, as well as photos of some of the things they were trying to charge me for. I also sent them screenshots of past emails where I brought up some of the issues. I again asked for any proving documents and an explanation based on evidence I provided. They are refusing to reply and have seemingly blocked me. Every time I try to send another email, I get an undeliverable return message, but yet they keep sending me notices to pay up. When I call their office, they refuse to speak to me and say that they will only talk about it in writing.

What can I do to get them to reply? Can they actually force me to pay when they are refusing to show proof or give me any explanation of the charges at all? Will I get charged late fees and will it affect my credit if I wait for their response?

And no, there is no security deposit. They never required it, or asked for one when I moved in, this is money they are charging as a move out fee as if it’s another month’s rent. Yes, there was an inspection, but I was not present during it and they are refusing to share the inspection report with me.