I had my first bounced check because I was travelling internationally and I forgot to put in enough money after I made a big credit card payment. I made the transfer on July 3 but because of the 7/4 holiday, it reached the account one day late. I called management office and they were so happy to charge me 10% late fee plus 53 dollars of bounce back penalty. I told them I never heard of such a high bouced check fee. They said it is true for them. I told them I was never late before. Please understand the situation and waive my late fee at least. The representative talked to the manager and got the same answer. Now I regret so much why I renewed my lease with them. After management change, it was really becoming worse as others were saying.

User Responses
From: jesse903	Date: 07/11/2006
Perhaps you could practice a little more fiscal responsibility and not count on funds being placed in your account the exact same day as you plan to use them. Don???t blame the management company for following through on the terms of your lease. You did agree to them when you moved in.
From: davimc	Date: 10/25/2006
I work for a neighboring property. We run into this situation a couple of times each year. Most of the time, people admit their mistake and pay up without an argument. The quality of the leasing staff comes through when this unfortunate situation occurs and the person who paid late comes in to complain. Staff members often are too eager to tell you they can't do anything and they put up a brick wall because they don't want to deal with you. They should just listen. The answer is going to be the same, but at least you get to blow off some steam and know that you were heard. They can play the hard line in a court of law, where they will win because you breached a contract. In the court of public opinion, they will lose because right or wrong, perception is reality in the mind of the customer. Over and over, I see reviews with residents who complain about penalties for late rent and bounced checks. Due to Fair Housing laws, all policies, including those related to late rent and bounced checks must be handled in the same way for each resident. If an exception is made, the community could be sued for discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, national origin, or whater reason the "victim" conjurs up with their lawyer. It sounds really pessimistic, but we live in a litigious society. Bottom line: your rent is due on the first. By state law, you have a grace period to pay through the fifth. If you didn't pay until the sixth, you are five days late. You aren't five minutes late. You aren't five hours late. Five days is five days. You signed a contract saying you would pay on time. You didn't. Therefore, you have to pay the penalties, which were also stated in your lease. If you are complaining about the policies, they are based on state laws. Write your legislative representative in the VA General Assembly and change the laws. If you are complaining about the attitude of the staff, write the management company. If you are just mad because you made a mistake, please don't trash people who are just doing their jobs.

Your thoughts? Post a response to this review. Display my response: with my username anonymously Responses appear below reviews and one response per user is permitted.

   Free estimates on moving trucks      Find apartment share/roommates