I am an active duty service member who rented a home managed by Darwin Homes in Kansas City, MO. My experience with the company has been deeply disappointing and financially unjust.
Upon signing the lease, I paid a $2,200 security deposit. In preparation for my move-out on July 2, 2025, in accordance with the terms of my lease, I went above and beyond standard expectations. I paid over $800 for professional cleaning services, including a full carpet cleaning, and completed all necessary minor repairs such as patching pinholes and repainting with matching paint. I also invested over $250 in lawn care, improving the condition of the yard from when I moved in. Additionally, I left behind the original trash cans that were present upon my arrival.
Despite these efforts, I was refunded only $815 from my security deposit, which I received on July 21, 2025, nearly three weeks later and only after multiple unreturned calls and emails requesting clarification from Darwin Homes. No timely or clear communication was provided.
To my surprise, I was charged over $900 in pro-rated rent--beyond my contractual move-out date of July 2--and $428 in repair charges, including:
* Touch-up paint (Dining Room): $9.00
* Replace microwave filters: $30.00
* Touch-up paint (Living Space): $12.00
* Repaint wall due to mismatched paint (Master Bedroom): $65.00
* Replace blinds (Master Bedroom): $100.00
* Replace showerhead installed by tenant: $18.00
* Repaint two walls due to mismatched paint (Bedroom 2): $78.00
* Touch-up paint (Bedroom 3): $6.00
* Repair hole in laundry door: $20.00
* Trash removal from garage: $50.00
* Pressure wash garage floor: $40.00
Of particular concern, the Darwin Homes maintenance team previously cut a hole in the laundry room wall to fix a water connection issue and never repaired it, yet I was charged for this damage upon move-out.
The lack of communication from the company was unacceptable. Despite repeated outreach, no one from Darwin Homes responded with clarity or professionalism. In particular, Frenz Arcega, the assistant property manager, consistently failed to respond to messages or provide assistance. His lack of accountability and communication was a major factor in the mishandling of my move-out process.
This experience has left me feeling taken advantage of, particularly as a service member relocating due to duty. I am requesting a full and transparent accounting of the charges assessed, and a refund of the unjustified deductions from my deposit. I strongly advise other prospective tenants--especially those in the military--to exercise caution when dealing with this property management company. read more