ORLANDO, Fla. — Over 200 University of Central Florida (UCF) students told WFTV Monday they are being forced to move during final exams. The students were told they have to leave their apartments in Pegasus Landing (see map), near the UCF campus, in a matter of weeks.
The students were told the apartments were undergoing renovations, but said they don’t believe it. Last week, more than 200 students received last minute relocation notices, which didn’t go over well with tenants.
“They’re moving me to another apartment and it’s inconvenient, because we got to change our address,” student Alejandro Racines said. “I think that’s not really fair.”
According to the notice, the moves are a part of the complex’s master plan. It’s making changes and upgrades to some of its buildings, but students say management isn’t being upfront and refuses to tell them exactly what changes are being made.
“What they told me is that it there was water damage on my floor, for example, but I’m pretty sure it could have something to do with the mold that’s still going on,” Racines said.
Over the summer, UCF announced it was no longer referring students to the complex because of a serious mold problem. Students like Michelle Calabro were forced to move then, too. Now she’s being forced to move again during the Thanksgiving holiday and her final exams period.
“I need to study for my finals. I don’t have the time to move every single thing out of my room into another place,” Calabro said.
To make matters worse, in some cases, the student will be reassigned new roommates. According to the notice, UCF will provide help to the students when they move.
WFTV asked students what management would do if they did not abide by the rules.
“Yeah, we get evicted. You get kicked out. You still have to pay,” student Hunter Strickland said.
UCF says it’s received so many complaints about the complex it’s setup a website dedicated to help students who live there. It’s called “The Landing Assistance Network.”
•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC •Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant •Microshield Environmental Services, LLC •www.Microshield-ES.com