BAIT & SWITCH SCAM! Vicki is a horrible apartment manager & Joe isn't too far behind!
On Aug 11, 2020 I applied to the Lofts at Zebulon in Macon, Ga. and paid the application fee of $65 (nonrefundable) for the 1E layout. On Aug 26, 2020 I paid the deposit and admin fee which total to $345. I received, signed and returned the lease agreement on September 25th. I also received a "move-in reservation sheet" which states by signing this document, Lofts at Zebulon in Macon, Ga., constitutes acknowledgement and agreement by all leaseholders and guarantors. I signed this final document and returned it to the leasing office.
My move-in date was for October 30th for the BIGGEST 1 bedroom layout this apartment complex has to offer. The layout I signed a lease for is 1,002 sq ft, has a patio and an attached garage and the total price was to be $1339 monthly (base rent plus contour package, valet trash, pest control). Preparing for my new apartment, I have given away furnishings that I didn't want in my new home and purchased additional furniture and decor items to create the atmosphere that is fitting. I also notified the postal service and utility companies of the date to disconnect my present service and the date in which to start my new. As I order various items online, some have a delivery date after October 30, 2020 so I gave the shippers my new address at the Lofts at Zebulon in Macon, Ga.
Suddenly and abruptly yesterday, October 9, I received a phone call from the apartment complex saying that the tenant wants to stay longer (even though he already turned in his 30 day notice of leave and his lease has ended) and that now I will not be able to move in until November 11, 2020. This causes a problem for me because I have to be out of my current apartment by October 30th and now I will be homeless after October 30th. I tell Vicki my issue and the only thing she offers to do is put me in their SMALLEST 1 bedroom apt (794 sq.ft) for the SAME PRICE as the 1,002 sq ft apartment. I asked can I at least get first month rent free, a discount, a basic 2 bedroom for the same price as my deluxe 1 bedroom or move the tenant that's in my apartment to another 1 bedroom and she said no to everything. She also had a horrible attitude and was very rude.
Obviously upset because Lofts at Zebulon is trying to break our lease without compensating me for the inconvenience they caused, I googled the corporate office for Lofts at Zebulon and was connected with Joe, the regional manager. Joe then proceeds to inform me that they let the tenant renew his lease for an additional 3 months. THAT'S RIGHT IN A MATTER OF 30 MINUTES MY MOVE IN DATE CHANGED FROM OCT 30TH TO NOV 11TH TO FEBRUARY OF 2021 even though we have a signed lease for October 30th and the other tenant's lease has expired. I tell Joe that I have to be out of my current apartment by October 30th and I need somewhere to stay now, not 3 months from now. He then tries to coerce me to stay over my lease at my current apartment by saying "You know you don't have to leave your apartment even though your lease is up. You can do to your apartment what this tenant is doing to us." So basically trying to get me to refuse to leave my apartment. I then proceed to tell him that Vicki offered me the smallest 1 bedroom apartment they have and for my inconvenience they should AT LEAST offer me something that's equivalent to what I signed the lease and paid the deposit for or better, NOT LESS. I ask Joe until my apartment is available can they put me in a basic 2 bedroom (1,082 sq ft) for the same price as my deluxe 1 bedroom (1,002 sq ft) and he tells me no because there is a $100 difference. THE AUDACITY! They're breaking our lease, inconveniencing me, leaving me homeless, plus I have to foot the bill to hire a moving company to move me twice and they can't even give me a $100 discount off of rent until my apartment is ready!?
Joe says the only thing he can offer me is an 872 sq ft apartment for $1,313 ($1,184 base rent plus $129 contour package) and I'll be able to transfer to the apartment that I signed the lease for without having to pay a transfer fee (If it ever becomes available because even though the tenant signed another 3 month lease, he can stay longer if he wants.)
So just to make it clear, in exchange for my large 1 bedroom corner unit apartment that's 1,002 sq ft with an attached garage, 6 windows, and a patio for a monthly charge of $1,339, The Lofts at Zebulon is offering me a 1 bedroom center unit with no garage, no patio, no balcony and only 2 windows for $1,313.
Believe the other reviews when they tell you how terrible of a manger Vicki is. I didn't and now I'm being punished for it. It's obvious that Vicki, the apartment manager, and Joe, the regional manager, have created this situation without offering any real solutions.
AS OF OCT 30, 2020 I WILL BE HOMELESS UNLESS THE LOFTS AT ZEBULON HONOR THEIR CONTRACT. read more