Moving out of an apartment should be a straightforward process, but for former residents of 49th Street Apartments, it can turn into a frustrating ordeal. After living at this property for over eight years and vacating on March 30th, 2020, I experienced firsthand the pettiness and negligence of their management. Be warned: they may attempt to charge you unfairly and disregard legal protocols.
My primary issue stems from a $100 carpet cleaning fee levied against my security deposit. This charge is particularly egregious considering the carpet in question was already five years old and should have been replaced years prior due to water damage in the second bedroom. This water damage incident was even covered by my renter’s insurance, highlighting the pre-existing condition of the carpet.
Despite providing 49th Street Apartments with my forwarding address and phone number, communication became conveniently nonexistent when it came to addressing this balance. I was never contacted directly about the supposed $75 balance (after the disputed carpet cleaning fee), and instead, I was surprised with a collections notice. This lack of direct communication forced me to waste valuable time and resources disputing a charge I believe is entirely unwarranted.
Adding insult to injury, 49th Street Apartments appears to have neglected to follow Florida Statute 83.49, which outlines the legal requirements for landlords imposing claims on security deposits. This statute mandates that landlords provide tenants with written notice via certified mail within 30 days of lease termination, detailing any claims against the deposit. I never received such a certified letter, which legally requires a signature upon delivery. This failure to adhere to legal procedure further underscores the unprofessionalism of 49th Street Apartments management.
To investigate this matter further, I am reaching out to the current tenant of unit 1908. If you are the current resident, or if anyone knows who is, please contact me. I am keen to know if the carpet was actually cleaned or, more likely, finally replaced after years of neglect and questionable charges to previous tenants like myself. It’s also worth noting that pre-existing tears in the master bedroom carpet, caused by maintenance personnel addressing a previous flood, were also never properly addressed or replaced by 49th Street Apartments management, who opted against moving furniture to facilitate a proper repair at the time.
To further illustrate the opaque billing practices of 49th Street Apartments, I have included a copy of the “Tenant Ledger” I received via email on May 20th, 2020. If anyone can decipher the charges listed, it would be greatly appreciated, as clarity and transparency seem to be lacking in their financial dealings with tenants.
