During checkout we were informed by EPIC that we would be charged for a few minor items, but most…read moreof our deposit would be refunded. To our surprise, approximately a month later, we received an invoice by mail amounting to $1900. Initially believing it to be a mistake, we promptly requested photographic evidence of the alleged damages.
Our property manager acknowledged that the painting charges appeared unusually high and expressed her intention to review them with the individual responsible for the checkout charges. In response to the provided photos, we submitted a video and time-stamped pictures contesting the paint charges. It became evident that the majority of the purported damages had already existed upon move-in, leaving only two nail holes, two nails, and a wall scrape to be accounted for.
Despite having documented evidence of the property's condition at the time of move-in, the company insisted on levying unjustified fees. I was directed to Paige Krodel who not only dismissed my concerns but also demonstrated a remarkable lack of professionalism in handling the matter. Krodel said "I'm not a professional painter so I am unable to describe what they all did in the unit". Krodel did remove $75 of the $450 painting fee, however, according to the invoice $75 is all we should have been charged. She was unwilling to admit their mistake and adjust the charges further. It is disheartening to discover that such a large rental company would engage in what can only be perceived as an opportunistic and unjust endeavor to extract exorbitant amounts from tenants. Furthermore, this is not an isolated incident, as I have come to learn that EPIC has earned a notorious reputation for imposing arbitrary charges and penalties upon tenants, seemingly as a routine measure to augment their profits.
An additional issue arose during our move-out process when we left cash on the counter for the scheduled carpet cleaning. To our dismay, my husband discovered the night before the cleaning that the doors to our apartment were unlocked, and the cash was missing. After investigating, it was revealed that another carpet cleaning company, unauthorized by us, had entered the unit and stolen the money without performing any services.
Moreover, we discovered that our property manager utilized her husband's company, which she is listed as the contact agent for on the Secretary of State's website, to replace the carpet throughout the entire unit. While not necessarily illegal, this arrangement raises concerns about conflicts of interest and questionable business practices.
In light of these unsettling experiences, I feel compelled to caution potential renters about EPIC's practices. As a tenant, I had expected transparency, fairness, and professionalism, but my encounters with this rental company have been disheartening and disconcerting.
I sincerely hope that this review prompts EPIC to reevaluate its practices and strive for a higher standard of integrity and customer service. Until such improvements are made, I cannot in good conscience recommend their services to others.