Back on August, I contacted Panama City Apartments to express interest in the Vieux Carre. On 08/21, I received an email saying that a 1BR unit would be available for my desired move-in date of 10/1/15. I made arrangements to tour the facility that day. Seeming to be in acceptable condition, close to my work, and in my desired price-range, I proceeded with the the application process which included an application fee of $25.
I viewed the property once more, where I expressed to the leasing
...agent, Shae, that I would be moving forward with the complex.
After I didn't hear from the company for a couple weeks, I emailed to confirm my assumption that I would be moving into the property on October 1 and asked for correction if that wasn't the case. I received no response other than I would receive information soon.
Assuming I would be moving in on 10/1, I called the leasing office on 09/24 to schedule a time to sign my lease and to get my address to set up utilities. At that time I was told that they had no record of me. I got Shae on the phone, and was told I was in a pile with applicants who were "very interested". After contacting numerous times to get an address and confirm move-in, common sense would scream that I was more than "very interested". She also pointed out that I hadn't yet paid my deposit. Please note, I have an email stating that I wouldn't need to pay my deposit until I moved in on 10/1.
I was also told there would be no unit for me. Anxious to find a place to live, I met her at a different property owned by the company (Pelican Bay) for a tour as there was an opening at this location. It was quickly apparent to me why there was availability, and I was not going to put my health and safety at stake to move into this place.
That weekend, I was able to find a place to live that was a bit higher than what I was comfortable paying. I contacted Shae to inform her that I would not be moving into their property, and at that time I also asked for my $25 application fee to be returned. She responded that the fee was non-refundable. This would be understandable under the assumption that they upheld their side of the process.
In summary, they told me there was a unit available, took my application with fee, then told me a week before move-in that there was no unit for me (refusing to refund my application fee). I wanted to share my story in hopes that it may spare somebody the stress I've been through.
Max of 2.