The Preserve Apartment Homes Of Westchase Illegal Utility Practicies ,Five Dollar A Day Water Late Fee Tampa Florida

Why is it that we have to always watch our back at even our own homes. So I have been living with the Property of The preserve Apartment Homes, which is managed by Archon Residential Group based out of Texas at the address of 600 East Las Colinas BLVD. suite 400
Irving, Texas 75039.

I have lived there for three full lease terms after residing at it sister property for a full lease term. Recently the property was taken over by archon and also changed the way our water billing was handled. The water billing is now to be paid to the apartment complex directly. They have also for convenience enable us to have our rent directly drafted out of our checking accounts. So we are never late or have to worry about it so it is stated; maybe so or it may also be a front to justify some outlandish charges if you are late.

We began being billed by NW&P. Which I also noticed was cited on here as well. So they offer automatic draft for our rent and since the water bill is to be paid with the rent that would be drafted to one would figure. Here is a kicker.

They are now charging a five dollar a day late charge for past due billing. Yes five dollars a day. And with as little time I spend at my residence and most on the road a late charge is way more than my water bill. No no where does it state in the leasing agreement that this is the case. We were never provided an amendment form so needless to say we signed anything. Now they are considering your water bill to be part of your rent which justifies the outrageous per day charge.

Where is the Utilities Commission when you need them and all these watch dog groups. Now if you are late on rent an apartment complex will place a notice at your door demanding payment with the threat of eviction and some as this one did in the past send out a friendly reminder. Oh no. Not in this case.

If in oversight you have forgotten to include the payment for your water the wont send or leave you a notice. Not till the balance has risen to an insane amount. If they are gonna treat it as part of the rent which they do to try and side step the law and the Utilities Commission late fee percentages, then they should be consistent with the late rent notifications or incomplete rent payment notifications which they hastily post at the doors. Heck but what is the rush when it is a scam.

This is how we will scam our residents. How many other have been scammed by this sort of lunacy justification. I can assure you many. Many who just toss it to the side and say oh well. Well if we all just say oh well and toss it to the side it will never stop. Do I have the money to pay the outrageous late fee of $235.00 on a $109.00 water bill. Yes. But it is the principle of the bare and bold faced defrauding.

Not only have I filed a grievance with the Utilities Commission I am filing one with Housing and the Federal Trade Commission. I will not walk quietly into the night.

Shannon
Tampa, Florida
U.S.A.