As an international student living in the US for the first time, I chose The Eden as my home. For the past 3 years, I considered it a safe and welcoming place to live. That is why this experience has been especially disappointing. I was unfamiliar with the leasing procedures in a different country, so I made every effort to seek guidance from the leasing office and relied on the information I was given. Instead of receiving clear instructions, I was later held financially responsible for procedural requirements that were never explained to me. I believe residents, especially those who are unfamiliar with the rental system, should be able to rely on the leasing office to provide complete and accurate guidance when they proactively ask for help.
Approximately 60 days before my intended move-out date, I notified the leasing office by email that I planned to terminate my lease. Throughout the following weeks, I proactively contacted the office multiple times to ask what steps were required. I wanted to make sure I completed everything correctly. I later obtained and returned the Notice to Vacate form. When I returned it, I specifically asked whether there was anything else I needed to do and was told there were no further steps required. Based on the information provided by the leasing office, I moved out as planned and personally returned all of my keys. Only after moving out was I informed that my lease termination had not been processed because the Notice to Vacate form was not submitted 60 days before my move-out date. At no point was I told that my earlier written notice would not satisfy their process or that the form itself also needed to be submitted on the same timeline. I repeatedly asked the office to identify any lease provision or written policy stating this requirement, but no documentation has been provided. Since then, I have been charged additional rent and utility fees that I dispute. Even more frustrating has been the lack of communication. Despite multiple follow-up emails over several weeks, my specific questions have largely gone unanswered, with responses simply repeating that a 60-day notice is required instead of addressing why these procedural requirements were never explained when I repeatedly asked for guidance. I understand that lease agreements have rules, but residents should also be given clear and accurate instructions when they actively seek assistance. My concern is not the existence of the policy but it's the lack of communication, accountability, and professionalism throughout the process.