Complaint Review: Park Forest Apartments The Benchmark Group

We gave a notice that we were moving out (right when our lease was supposed to expire). We were then told that we had to pay for another month of rent because we had to give 60 days notice to move out. We paid this rent (even though we were no longer living in the apartment). When we turned in our keys, we knew about a few things that we may be charged for. (stains on the carpet, a missing key card, a missing mailbox key)....

We received a bill stating that we had done $571 in damages to the apartment, and the balance after our security deposit was $271.00. We received this letter on May 9th. The letter also stated that if we did not pay by May 13th, they would take legal action to collect this "debt".

During our stay there, we were constantly bothered by noise. Our apartment was attempted to be broken in to (while I was home...scariest moment of my life). Another apartment in our building was successfully robbed.

Other tenants at this complex were never notified of any attempted robbery, or successful robbery. (no notice was made at all to anyone who lived there)

If you can avoid it, do not live at this apartment complex! Or anything managed by the Benchmark group either. They bully their tenants, and charge rediculous amounts of money for things like "the dishwasher was dirty".

I am now living in a house where I know I will not be treated unfairly. I wish there was something I could do to get around paying this $271 - But it does not look like that will be possible. It's unfortunate that we stayed there after the attempted robbery. I should have known to break my lease at that point! The only reason these theives were able to get IN to our complex is because someone at the office left the security gate open, and the theives were able to just drive in...instead of having to buzz someone to let them in....

I will never live there again, and I hope this helps others to stay away also!

Nathan
Dearborn Heights, Michigan
U.S.A.