Review History for anonymous

Critical Alert: Avoid My Leasing Nightmare

**Before you sign a lease, heed this warning. Since October 2023, I've been paying for an apartment I haven’t lived in, struggling with deceptive practices and poor management. My experience serves as a crucial lesson to avoid similar financial and emotional distress. Protect yourself and ensure your peace of mind.** In late September 2023, I urgently relocated from out of town to the Frisco, TX area. On September 28, 2023, I signed a lease for an apartment at MAA Frisco Bridges, relying on a pre-recorded video tour and verbal assurances from MAA representatives that the unit would be move-in ready by the lease start date of October 2, 2023. Due to the urgency of my move, I did not physically view the unit before signing the lease. Upon arriving on October 2, 2023, I conducted a walkthrough with members of the MAA leasing team. To my dismay, the apartment was in an unacceptable condition: filthy, clearly not cleaned after the previous tenant's departure, and showing signs of neglect, including black mold and nauseating odors. Despite property management’s claims that the growth on the walls was cobwebs, a licensed inspector later confirmed it was potentially mold due to moisture detected in various areas. Given that I had movers with me and no alternative arrangements, I felt forced to move in based on further promises from management that the unit would be promptly deep cleaned, painted, and repaired. ### Discovery of Misrepresentation: Later, I downloaded the pre-recorded video tour provided by MAA and found it was dated December 2022—many months before I signed the lease. This explains why the apartment looked pristine in the video, with no visible issues like dents, stains, or rust. It was only by downloading the video and seeing the timestamp that I realized the condition portrayed in the video was significantly different from the actual condition of the apartment when I moved in. ### Failure to Provide a Move-In Ready Unit: From October 2 to October 6, 2023, I repeatedly communicated with management about the issues, and despite numerous promises, the apartment remained in a substandard condition. On October 6, 2023, after being told that all issues were resolved, I found that mold, odors, and other maintenance concerns persisted. Management’s response was ineffective, and further efforts to address the problem were futile. I documented the issues and conducted a mold test, which confirmed the presence of mold in the unit. Faced with ongoing health risks, I moved my belongings into storage on October 7, 2023, and have not lived in the apartment since. ### Square Footage Discrepancy: I was told the unit was 997 square feet, but online listings and a video from MAA showed it was smaller, raising concerns about transparency. ### Mold Inspection and Developments: A licensed inspector confirmed excessive moisture and mold in the apartment. On November 28, 2023, I sent a certified letter to MAA requesting compensation and lease termination. MAA’s attorney denied my claims on December 11, 2023, advising either maintenance requests or penalties for early termination. ### Legal Actions: I filed a small claims petition in April 2024 seeking relief for my issues. MAA responded with a motion to dismiss and compel arbitration, which the court granted in July 2024 due to the arbitration clause in the lease. Since then, neither MAA nor their representing firm, CT Corporation System, has responded to my arbitration inquiries or provided any clarification on resolving the matter. ### Important Warning: I urge potential tenants to thoroughly review any lease with MAA, particularly the arbitration clause. This clause limits your ability to seek legal recourse in court, complicating efforts to resolve disputes fairly. Disclaimer: This account reflects my personal experience and opinions based on the situation as I encountered it. The details shared here are factual based on my observations and interactions. For legal advice or resolution, please consult a professional.