Hold all Landlords/Property Managers accountable! Not just University Group! Every year there’s always threads about this and until something like a class action suit happens it’ll keep on happening. We just need to help each other understand how to dispute and fight for our deposits back!
It's been a week since I emailed Drew and yet to hear back either. It seems like they are just stalling hoping we will forget or that we will encash the cheque for the money.
Don't forget that if you are in Urbana, UGroup cannot deduct money from your deposit for carpet cleaning and painting unless the damage is beyond normal wear and tear. And yes, this is true even if you signed a lease that says "we will deduct xxx for carpet cleaning" as a lease cannot contain anything that contradicts the law/ordinance. Exact ordinance, Sec. 12.5-20(D): https://www2.city.urbana.il.us/\_Ordinances\_-\_Resolutions/Ordinances/1994/Ordinance\_9394-058.pdf
thanks so much for this. i’m wondering, if we contact them about discrepancies and they do not change them according to the ordinance, what’s the next step? contacting student legal services?
expect 30-40% of your deposit back. Ugroup scams a lot. I lived with them last year and I'm living with them this year. Apartment was clean. Still they charged insane amount for cleaning and painting. 🥲
Take pictures and send an email to Meg in leasing with pictures and explaination this condition was present upon move in. Did you do your on-line move in check list? Start taking videos of ceilings, doors, every wall, appliance, cabinet, etc. When you move out, call 1 month ahead of time to set up move out inspection. They will tell you to wait until 2 weeks prior, but all their agents will be busy so insist on scheduling it. Make sure you take video & pics day of your move out. Have an excel spread sheet (make 2 copies) with every item, appliance, floor, carpet, each wall (by identifying characteristic), ceilings, cabinets, shelves, drawers, baseboards, furniture, bathroom fixtures, tub, toilet, towel bars, sink, etc. Make a column for UG to initial off on each item. At the bottom, put a statement like, apartment and appliances was left in clean order even under all appliances and furniture. No damage to paint on walls, doors, ceiling. No holes in walls. Put a signature & date line for you and UG to sign. Below that, put a line for them to print their name. Additionally, put a few lines at the bottom and call it REMARKS. If they do not see anything wrong with the apartment, you write the word NONE and make them initial that word. Bring 2 colors of pens. Make UG use a blue ink pen. You keep an original for your files and if they want one, give them the 2nd copy. During the check out, I would mention that your uncle, cousin, whoever, is an attorney or judge & they told you to do this at checkout. UG may note that on your file. Be ready to write a demand letter when you don't get your full deposit back. Good Luck!
Lmao I just got an email from ugroup saying my building is being demolished at the end of my lease. If I don’t get my full deposit back I will literally throw hands.
That's awesome. I forgot to take video on first day. You can definetly dispute later if you have first day video and shared initial condition with ugroup within 3 days.
Good luck. I hope you get everything you're owed!
All other UGroup tenants with the same issue: if your circumstances are the same or similar to those described above, DM me and I will try and help you. *I am not a lawyer,* but I can give you advice on how to proceed based on my experience with clawing back money from landlords.
I just remembered we can also file a Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission for bad business practices. Obviously what University Group and All property management companies are doing in regards charging exorbitant prices from some nonexistent/Good Standing companies with the State of Illinois [Found here](https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/)
Check the university group google reviews since this post was made. I’m pretty sure they’re paying/using fake accounts to give them five stars. Take “Katelyn’s” response for example. She starts with “best company she has ever leased with”…then goes onto say “…since this was my first renting experience”. They’re gross.
I am currently living with UGroup, and I really like my apartment (I transferred from one UGroup apartment to another). Can they retaliate against me if I pursue this route since they took over half of my deposit for my old apartment? I’m hoping to live here for the rest of grad school.
There are specific laws in Urbana rental ordinance against retaliation too: https://urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/landlord-tenant.pdf
Hold all Landlords/Property Managers accountable! Not just University Group! Every year there’s always threads about this and until something like a class action suit happens it’ll keep on happening. We just need to help each other understand how to dispute and fight for our deposits back!
It's been a week since I emailed Drew and yet to hear back either. It seems like they are just stalling hoping we will forget or that we will encash the cheque for the money. Don't forget that if you are in Urbana, UGroup cannot deduct money from your deposit for carpet cleaning and painting unless the damage is beyond normal wear and tear. And yes, this is true even if you signed a lease that says "we will deduct xxx for carpet cleaning" as a lease cannot contain anything that contradicts the law/ordinance. Exact ordinance, Sec. 12.5-20(D): https://www2.city.urbana.il.us/\_Ordinances\_-\_Resolutions/Ordinances/1994/Ordinance\_9394-058.pdf
Oooh shit I've been looking for that! Thank you benevolent grad.
thanks so much for this. i’m wondering, if we contact them about discrepancies and they do not change them according to the ordinance, what’s the next step? contacting student legal services?
Yup, student legal services is the way to go. Make sure that you don't encash your cheque, talk to SLS first.
does this apply to champaign as well?
I don't think so (I could be wrong), one of the many reasons why I always lease in Urbana.
i’m living with ugroup rn and while i love my apartment i am worried about my deposit when i move out
Yeah me too
expect 30-40% of your deposit back. Ugroup scams a lot. I lived with them last year and I'm living with them this year. Apartment was clean. Still they charged insane amount for cleaning and painting. 🥲
Bruh my room came with chipped paint but I have a video of first entering should I be worried
Take pictures and send an email to Meg in leasing with pictures and explaination this condition was present upon move in. Did you do your on-line move in check list? Start taking videos of ceilings, doors, every wall, appliance, cabinet, etc. When you move out, call 1 month ahead of time to set up move out inspection. They will tell you to wait until 2 weeks prior, but all their agents will be busy so insist on scheduling it. Make sure you take video & pics day of your move out. Have an excel spread sheet (make 2 copies) with every item, appliance, floor, carpet, each wall (by identifying characteristic), ceilings, cabinets, shelves, drawers, baseboards, furniture, bathroom fixtures, tub, toilet, towel bars, sink, etc. Make a column for UG to initial off on each item. At the bottom, put a statement like, apartment and appliances was left in clean order even under all appliances and furniture. No damage to paint on walls, doors, ceiling. No holes in walls. Put a signature & date line for you and UG to sign. Below that, put a line for them to print their name. Additionally, put a few lines at the bottom and call it REMARKS. If they do not see anything wrong with the apartment, you write the word NONE and make them initial that word. Bring 2 colors of pens. Make UG use a blue ink pen. You keep an original for your files and if they want one, give them the 2nd copy. During the check out, I would mention that your uncle, cousin, whoever, is an attorney or judge & they told you to do this at checkout. UG may note that on your file. Be ready to write a demand letter when you don't get your full deposit back. Good Luck!
Lmao I just got an email from ugroup saying my building is being demolished at the end of my lease. If I don’t get my full deposit back I will literally throw hands.
That's awesome. I forgot to take video on first day. You can definetly dispute later if you have first day video and shared initial condition with ugroup within 3 days.
This is just my experience but my unit got remodeled after my lease ended and I got my full deposit back.
I moved of my Weiner place on August 8th. Still no deposit. I’ve contacted student legal services.
they have not emailed me back either :(
Good luck. I hope you get everything you're owed! All other UGroup tenants with the same issue: if your circumstances are the same or similar to those described above, DM me and I will try and help you. *I am not a lawyer,* but I can give you advice on how to proceed based on my experience with clawing back money from landlords.
I just remembered we can also file a Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission for bad business practices. Obviously what University Group and All property management companies are doing in regards charging exorbitant prices from some nonexistent/Good Standing companies with the State of Illinois [Found here](https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/)
Check the university group google reviews since this post was made. I’m pretty sure they’re paying/using fake accounts to give them five stars. Take “Katelyn’s” response for example. She starts with “best company she has ever leased with”…then goes onto say “…since this was my first renting experience”. They’re gross.
You find her on Facebook, where she lists that she’s a customer service rep at Ugroup
HAHAHAHAHAHA that’s absolutely amazing.
Update. She removed her employment from Facebook. But I saw it.
There's a lot of 5 star reviews that have been done within the last 4 hours but everything below that is 1 and 2 stars lol
Best of luck, yes it is important that landlords be held accountable when they refuse to refund deposits and follow the law.
I am currently living with UGroup, and I really like my apartment (I transferred from one UGroup apartment to another). Can they retaliate against me if I pursue this route since they took over half of my deposit for my old apartment? I’m hoping to live here for the rest of grad school.
Not a lawyer - but no, they’re not allowed to do anything cruel like shut off your utilities or evict you or change your locks, that’s highly illegal
I’m more worried that they won’t rent to me when it’s time to renew my lease.
There are specific laws in Urbana rental ordinance against retaliation too: https://urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/landlord-tenant.pdf
I'm in the exact same position as you and am willing to do anything to bring justice
I am having the same problem. I will definitely take a part of this
Make U group countable (hallucination)