This is just a warning to those planning to sign a lease at The Barracks Townhomes, specifically with The Arena Group. During move-in, I completed their inventory condition form, which was simply a sticky note. I noted that that the carpet was somewhat sticky but otherwise the apartment was in good condition. I also documented my own images and videos of the apartment.
During move-out, I complied with all of their cleaning protocols and requests and completed their lengthy condition documentation of the unit. After several months, I received less than $400 back frmo my $1,000 security deposit. Looking at their invoice, they had charged me $400 to replace the carpet in my room, and another $200 for paint-touch up and cleaning charges. Their condition form, however, did not note any issues with the carpet, and in fact marked the carpet as being in "good" condition. Their images also did not reveal any issues with the carpet or paint. In fact, before move-out, we went to the leasing office to confirm the exact paint color we should use to cover up any minor nail holes from paintings, etc. The condition form also did not specify why additional cleaning charges were required, as we had already deep-cleaned the unit ourselves and hired a professional cleaner too.
They released an option to file a dispute if you had any issues with these charges, which of course I did. I referenced various legal codes, including the fact that landlords cannot charge for minor/normal wear-and-tear, and also attached move-in photos, move-out photos, and referenced their own move-out report, explicitly stating that they had never even made the claim that the carpet was in need of being replaced.
They finally replied to the dispute multiple weeks after they claimed they would reply by, noting that the cleaning charges would be refunded (which amounted to less than $50), but that the rest of the charges would be upheld, with no additional reasoning other than several unrelated photos attached to the reply, some of which showed the carpet in good condition as usual.
Several weeks later, I have still not received any refund of the cleaning charge.
If I DID damage the carpet, or anything else, I would be happy to pay for it. But no, I made sure to keep the house in good condition and cleaned on a regular basis.
On another note, they also charge you $30 per month for a "resident benefits" package each month which in reality just gives you access to a pool that is only open a few months each year. They also threatened to evict me for not paying a duplicate water bill on time which I had already paid.
I would love to pursue legal action at this point, but I am a broke college student and I hardly have the time or money for that right now.
Hopefully this helps someone; I am sure others have had a positive experience at the barracks, but it seems like the consensus is more negative than positive at this point.