The Commons Apartments

Review: The application fee required online should not apply until interest is confirmed and the office actually does something. A student filled out an application for The Commons apartment complex. They charged a $30 application fee. After finding out further information regarding the safety and condition of these apartments, we called to cancel this application within 3 days. They kept her $30. I am questioning what that fee is for. They did nothing - no background check or credit check. They wait for applicants to confirm their interest before they proceed. We did not confirm -- we cancelled. I think they are preying on the inexperience freshman and collecting fees from groups of kids and making money without doing anything -- that is why they wait to process - no expenses for them incur. The apartments are typically 4 bedrooms -- that means 4 applications -- 4 fees -- in this case $120 -- and they did nothing. The website does not state that the fee is non-refundable.Desired Settlement: I do not want to pay the $30 application fee. We cancelled the application within 60 hours of submitting online. The office told me on the phone they had not done any processing of the application. The website states NO WHERE that this is non-refundable.

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted], It is customary in our business, as well as it is with many others, to charge a non-refundable application fee to cover the administrative costs of processing. Required fees are clearly advertised on our publications, including our website and have not previously caused confusion. Processing begins immediately upon receipt of an application; as interest is confirmed when the applicant (a student in this case) pays the required fee. We are disappointed to learn that she did not agree with her son/daughter’s decision to become a part of our community next year and understand that parent-student communications can be frustrating. Although it was not our obligation to do so, a refund was issued. Sincerely, [redacted] General Manager The CommonsT: ###-###-#### | F: ###-###-#### [redacted]Harrisonburg, VA 22801

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,[redacted]