SAN DIEGO — A college student wants to warn others to double-check charges after you move out of a rental.
A third-year student at San Diego State says he was slapped with exorbitant fees after he moved out and was still receiving invoices until he asked CBS 8 to get involved.
Alex Johnsen was shocked when he received an invoice from American Campus Communities totaling $1,020.00 in damages in his apartment at Fraternity Row on 55th Street in the College area.
“I didn’t do that. There’s no way I did this much damage. I remember leaving the place in super clean fashion,” said Johnsen.
He admits he made $12.50 in damages but says his roommates got the same bill including $750 in new paint.
“I knew they were just trying to extort me and extort all my fraternity brothers,” said Johnsen.
He shared the bill with his mom who lives in the Bay Area and already paid the $600 security deposit.
“I don’t have a backyard ATM so for me to have somebody take $1,000 away, that’s a chunk of money that could go to my son for his rent,” said Kirsten Johnsen.
The Johnsen’s pushed back and shared the email thread between them and the general manager who eventually reversed some of the charges But they were still on the hook for paint to cover a fraternity mural and graffiti. Johnson says those were there before they moved in.
They also want receipts for work because they shared images taken this week that show they have not been covered.
“You’re charging me for something. It’s false. You’re lying about it,” said Alex.
A PR representative with American Campus Communities, whose new owner is Blackstone and one of the world’s largest asset managers, told CBS 8 on the phone that this was a one-off situation. She said since it was during a busy transition time the new manager didn’t understand the charges for this resident.
Kirsten says she returned a missed call from American Campus during an interview and was told she wouldn't be getting her security deposit back.
“She said, ‘give me your mailing address. We’re going to send you a full refund,” said Kirsten.
CBS 8 asked the PR rep about whether the roommates would get a refund and why each were charged the same amount.
PR responded in an e-mail:
The care and well-being of our residents is our top priority. We are working directly with the former residents at fraternity row to address Move-out charges from damages, and we are committed to seeing the issue resolved to their satisfaction. We look forward to continuing to maintain an environment conducive to academic and personal success.
“It’s really sad, because this could have all been avoided, and all of a sudden, now that the spotlight’s on, now they do the right thing. Why don’t you do the right thing from the get-go?” said Kirsten.
The mother says she is looking into legal action against Fraternity Row and wants to file a complaint with the city attorney’s office.
“I’m appreciative you guys took the story, and hopefully somebody out there, you know, hears it. And love some help,” said Kirsten.
Tenant advocates recommend that you document everything with pictures and video before you move in and move out of a rental property.