Complaint Review: The Dovetail Companies

As most of us already know (and as I should have been more wary of) be careful of signing ANY documents until you have ALL, CLEAR, and CONCRETE facts! I visited this student-living community a few months ago. I was given a tour and description of the community and unit of my interest. I and my guide went back to the office to do the paperwork for me to become a tenant. I was verbally told by the guide the amount of the deposit (which was one month's rent) prior to signing any documents. However, after signing, the amount turned into TWO month's rent--the month that I wanted to move in AND the month BEFORE THAT! WHAT!!??

I thought the whole idea of that was outrageous and I politely declined the offer. I was told by the rep 'Oh, well sorry about that, but if you change your mind or are able to come up with the deposit feel free to come back and see us and we can get things set up for ya!' This process has happened to me before with another apartment complex and when it did, all paperwork was shredded with proper protocol and common sense. But THE WOODLANDS OF COLUMBIA decided to turn in the signed documents to their corporate office whom in turn is billing me over $7000 including a lease-breaking fee!! WHAT!!??

I didn't even have intent to move in after hearing the deposit amount! But my signature says I did, definitely. I put down NO deposit, NOR did I get a copy of anything I signed because it should have been VOIDED and not VALIDATED! It was the unethical behavior of either that particular rep himself, or someone else within the office who made these documents concrete. I immediately contacted their corporate office, The Dovetail Companies, (who sent me a letter stating that I owe them) and was given no help, only the "black and white." I went back to the rental office to speak to a supervisor, and i was immediately handed a piece of paper by a secretary directing me to call their corporate office. The supervisor was reluctant to speak to me at first, and when when she did, very rude and short--only stating that "black and white."

Lesson learned: Jane Hancock no longer signs with such trust. Resolution and conclusion, JUSTICE, are currently in the works!