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POOR/MISLEADING BUSINESS PRACTICES: The leasing contract contains a sequence of 'red flags'-



-The company advertises through its website and leasing consultants that they offer a "utility package." The water, sewage, and waste/trash is provided. The electricity appears to be provided; however, there's a bit of a gimmick. The electricity goes under the Owner's name. Each tenant pays a $50 (2 bedroom) or $40 (4 bedroom) fixed cost per month for the electric expense. Any overuse of electricity (exceeding the fixed costs), which is likely in the winter months given that the buildings use electric heating, is equally distributed to the tenants of each unit. When you sign the lease they'll make it seem like the electricity is a flat rate, but in the fine print says the owner can charge for any overuse. If however, you use less electricity than the fixed costs amount, you will NOT receive a credit for the following month. Collectively, you and your tenants can overpay the actual cost of electricity from the provider (generally West Penn) by $200 in the month of October, and still receive an overcharge of $100 in the month of November because you did not receive the credit from the previous month. The apartment makes a profit for every month you use less than the fixed cost. Not only do you NOT receive the difference between the fixed cost amount and the amount electricity actually used, you also get no credit for any months overcharged by the electric provider. You don't even get a meter reading or electricity usage report of how much electricity was used unless you personally request one, and even then it's not the actual stub from the electric provider. Essentially, you end up drastically overpaying for electricity. Some "utility package," huh?



-Tenants are still responsible for remaining lease payments even if they need to move out for medical reasons. If you get into a car accident and break your leg and cannot climb the stairs to your 3rd floor apartment, too bad. If you die, your cosigner becomes responsible for the remaining payments of the lease.



-The owner is authorized to enter your unit whenever they want to. They don't have to tell you exactly what day/time they will come. You don't even have to be there when they enter your unit, invade your privacy and leave your personal belongings vulnerable to theft.



SANITATION/HEALTH ISSUES:



-Intoxicated residents and guests will often leave messes in the building hallways. So far I have seen used condoms, smashed liquor and beer bottles, food items, cigarette butts, and even syringes in the hallways. Often times these messes will not be cleaned up for several days and will leave disgusting odors and attract flies.



SAFETY/LIVING CONDITIONS:



-There are some security officers that patrol the property, especially on weekend nights. However, for some reason they do very little to deter social gatherings from becoming out of control and dangerous. There have been many fights, violent assaults, and noise disturbances (buildings will be noisy nearly every night, even past 11pm). I have seen the state police responding to calls on the property several times a week. Early in the semester, the apartment complex hosted a "block party" event in which a lot of underage drinking and illegal drug use occurred. If you're looking for a place where you can study quietly and comfortably, do not sign a lease at University Village.



-If you do not wish to pay an expensive additional monthly fee for a VIP parking pass, you will often have to park an unreasonable distance from the building you reside in. This is simply a way of price-gouging tenants.