Stewart Langley Properties

We met with the consumer and were able to come to a resolution, and these complaints have been resolved in a satisfactory manner.

Thank you for the opportunity to again respond to the Security Deposit Settlement issue.  Security Deposits and damage charges are completed by our Property Managers, who are able to discuss these matters with residents.   [redacted] did pass along the information to me, as requested....

 However, as our lease indicates no oral statements are binding, I did respond to the previous request for information via email.  To date, I received no response from the co-signer.  She did acknowledge my email, and therefore, could have reached out to me if she felt further communication was necessary.   VRLTA requires that all security deposits be mailed within 45 days of the end of residency.  In this case, a copy of the security deposit settlement was mailed to the residents at the last known address ([redacted] Apartments), because despite our request for a forwarding address, none was received.   Additionally, a copy of the security deposit settlement was mailed to the co-signer at the last address provided my US Mail.  Included with the security settlement were copies of the vendor bills substantiating the additional charges for excessive cleaning, painting, etc. in the apartment as it exceeded normal wear and tear covered by our $125 non-refundable administrative fee.  The statements were mailed on 7/8/16 with a notation that to avoid collections, the account balance must be paid in full no later than 7/31/16.   As we received no payment of the balance due, we proceeded by sending the account to collections on 8/25/16, well after the deadline we indicated on our statement.Once [redacted] begins the collection process, they are entitled to the collection fee, and we cannot take the account back from them.  Therefore, communication regarding the collection of the account must be addressed with [redacted] from this point forward, as I am unable to make adjustments on the account.  It is unfortunate that neither the resident or co-signer responded by the deadline to avoid the collection process.   However, I am confident our company followed appropriate legal requirements in the settling of the Security Deposit Settlement.  Thank you again for the opportunity to address this concern.

Review: I lived at one of the Stewart Langley properties (Princeton Circle West). When providing notice to move out - I was required to provide a valid forwarded address, which I did. My lease ended on May 31, 2016. According to Virginia code, the landlord is required to provide the security deposit, and and itemized list of any charges within 45 days of deliverance of possession. See quoted below:

"The security deposit and any deductions, damages and charges shall be itemized by the landlord in a written notice given to the tenant, together with any amount due the tenant within 45 days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession."

On 7/22/16 - my father-in-law - who is the co-signer on the lease that my husband and I had - received the documentation of the charges - dated 7/19/16. These charges should have been sent to the forwarding address that I provided no later than July 15. In my communication with Stewart Langley Properties, I was told that the late billing was an error. However, as tenant, I should not be responsible for this error. Given the date that the charges were billed - it seems illegal to require that I owe them. I feel that the property had plenty of time to deliver the list of charges, and did not do so.Desired Settlement: I would like a full refund of my security deposit.

Business

Response:

We met with the consumer and were able to come to a resolution, and these complaints have been resolved in a satisfactory manner.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.

Regards,

Review: I signed a lease in August 2013 with a roommate for an apartment located at [redacted] The lease term was from 8/15/14-8/31/15. I spoke with [redacted] of [redacted] Apartments in January 2015 of my intent to vacate the premises effective March 2015. While I understood that I was still obligated under the terms of the lease, it was my understanding that my roommate would be removing me from the lease. I called several times to request whether or not this had been done. It never was, but it was my understanding from talking with [redacted], that she understood my intent and inability to continue with the lease after the original term due to my no longer attending [redacted] nor even residing in the State of Virginia. While that did not happen, I found that I am still on the lease as of November 2015. When speaking to [redacted], I was told that notice was sent to all parties on the lease approximately 1 month before renewal about automatic renewal of the lease if no intention was stated. This notice was sent to me at the apartment address, even though [redacted] Apartments had not only my email address but my new address in [redacted] as well. This notification should have been sent to me so that this lease, and my obligation specifically, would have cancelled. While I believe that the lease continuing is a fraud perpetrated by my ex-roommate, I do believe that [redacted] Apartments and Stewart Langley Properties neglected to give me proper notice and; therefore, my name should be removed from this lease effective immediately and my obligation terminated. If this complaint cannot resolve my concerns, I will be forced to consult with legal counsel as my ex-roommate's continued use of the premises in my name and, more importantly, her inability to pay rent on time is affecting my credit negatively.Desired Settlement: Removal of name from lease and retraction of any negative credit reports after 8/31/15.

Business

Response:

Thank you for the opportunity to address this concern. In

order to make any material changes to the lease agreement, Stewart Langley

Properties must receive signed authorization from all leaseholders and

guarantor. Although Ms. [redacted] did

speak with our Property Manager, [redacted] about wanting to be released

from the lease, the process was never completed by all parties. To date, we have not received

written notice from Ms. [redacted]’s roommate authorizing us to release her from

further obligation nor the $25 administrative fee required to execute a new

lease agreement. Per the lease agreement, 'no oral statements are binding'; therefore, we simply cannot proceed with the requested changes.

In review of the file and discussion with the Property

Manager, we find no written notification of a change of address for Ms.

[redacted]. All renewal correspondence was mailed

to her last known address.

Additionally, two renewal reminders were sent to the only email address she

provided to us. Please note, Ms. [redacted] did provide an updated email address on Friday, November 6, 2015, and our records reflect that change.

Although this is a roommate dispute, we did attempt to help

Ms. [redacted] by contacting the roommate and guarantor on her behalf on several occasions. Unfortunately, our efforts were futile. It is unfortunate that the roommates have

been unable to resolve this matter.

In summary, we did provide

all renewal documentation in a timely manner and in accordance with our lease

agreement with the best contact information we were given by the resident at that time. The dispute between roommates and their failure to provide us with the required documentation prevents us from making the changes requested by Ms. [redacted] at this time. The accusation of fraud against her room mate

is a civil matter which we are not a party to; therefore, we will not address it in our correspondence.

If the room mates are able to reach an agreement and provide

us with signed documentation and the appropriate fee, as required, we will gladly remove Ms.

[redacted] from the lease agreement. Until that time, unfortunately, we are legally prevented from doing anything further.

Sincerely Yours,

President

Stewart Langley Properties.

Review: I paid the security deposit for the apartment along with the fee for the criminal background checks. Two days later only one person in the agreement received the lease for a two bedroom apartment. We were told we would receive the lease in 24 hours. It came over 48 hours later. We then decided we did not want to interact with their management if they were unreliable. We called them within 12 hours of receiving the lease to tell them we would not be living there with them. I was told over the phone that I would be issued a refund for the security deposit. A week later the check had still not arrived, so I called the office. No employees were there at that time, so I left a message. My phone call was never returned and I began calling biweekly. This is still continuing. I have talked to a receptionist four times and each time the employees were at "lunch" or in a "meeting." Each time I leave my name and cell phone number and have never gotten a call returned, despite being assured that my message would be passed on.Desired Settlement: I would just like my $350 security deposit back.

Business

Response:

We contacted Ms. [redacted] on 6-18-2014 to let her know we would be over-nighting a check to her on 6-19-2014. My office did not receive a message on 6-2, 6-6 or 6-13. I am not sure what number she was leaving a message at.

Please let me know if you need any additional information.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.

Regards,