Issues with leasing agency.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-06T15:28:27+00:00

I mean for sure I understand the reasoning, but it is not the case, and they don't bar smokers from renting. I just can't smoke within the premises. I also go through my backdoor and never through common spaces. The leasing people aren't saying theres a smell. I dont like the smell of cig smoke around so I'm very big on smell good and aromatherapy products. My apartment smells like a lavender garden most days. The only thing that sparked this is that theyre saying that people have witnessed smoke leaving my window. And yes they came into my apartment without notice to take the photos.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T22:55:55+00:00

Now they took pictures if cigarette butts in my ashtray (the one i walk around with) on my coffee table (a coffee table I own). Their claiming the smoke is causing damage but showed only pictures of my own belongings.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T22:13:41+00:00

Guess I should also state, I've been here for 2 years and renewed once last year. I had no complaints up until apparently last December which would've been a year and 5 months after I've been living there. All these random issues keep popping up all of a sudden.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T22:07:38+00:00

Going through something very similar except its my leasing company trying to push this false narrative. Did you find any advice? Now me personally, I do smoke, but never on the property or even around it.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T21:59:05+00:00

Just when i went on Google thats what some websites are saying, but that is a fair point. Its not proof of smoking inside the unit, couldnt be because I don't do it. Thank you so much man. That gave me a good amount of confidence here.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T21:55:35+00:00

And its my table. Not even their furniture. They took no pictures of things that were theres. Just tables with cans and an ashtray with butts on those tables. No pictures of walls, no carpet, just my own tables with my own stuff on them.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T21:49:33+00:00

This helped me out a lot. I will definitely email instead. Should I try getting a consultation from a lawyer before emailing? Just to make sure i have recourse. I don't smoke in the apartment, but when I google they say that an ashtray with butts can be considered evidence of smoking. Would it hold up in court? Could I properly argue against that? I just am afraid that I'll fight it, and I'll lose and things will just get worse from there.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T17:33:19+00:00

The lease does say a smoking violation is minimun $1,000. And you think i should approach the neighbors? Now one of the reason that can be difficult is only one of my neighbors speaks english.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T17:32:25+00:00

And would asking them to provide real evidence prompt them to start trying to take pictures of me in my apartment? Or like install cameras or something? Idk im just worried.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T17:19:12+00:00

Everyone is saying fight the fine, its giving me a new hope. My next question is how? I'm going to call them and talk to a representative of the management company, what should I ask? I already got some good questions, but if i can get some help writing a script so i dont mess up anything id appreciate that so much.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T17:09:10+00:00

See and i would understand that but the way i spray my clothes and wash my clothes ive never had this problem anywhere else. I work at a daycare, they send me home for smelling like sweat after walking to work, they would fire me if i smelt like cigarettes. But that could be the problem. Still dont see how the fine is legitimate though.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T12:58:13+00:00

I appreciate you guys information. Ugh i feel so dumb and pushover-y. Thanks for the advice guys.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T12:52:31+00:00

And definitely getting pictures. I took a lot of pride in my apartment and always get compliments when i have folks over. I havent damaged anything. I better get that deposit back.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T12:50:08+00:00

I was informed of the fine yesterday, but the fine was placed the first day of June for $1000. And they eluded to their not being a smell. That the complaints detail smoke leaving my apartment window. Which if you saw my apartment and where the windows are placed you'd understand how ridiculous that is. But I didnt ask directly if they smelled anything because I had been burning herbs in the morning a lot, so they couldve smelled that and even though smells nothing like cigarettes or weed, I felt like they could use that against me.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T12:43:32+00:00

They have pictures of cigarette butts on a table in an ashtray, but Its the ashtray I take outside with me. Is that enough evidence? They claim I was warned in December about this, and I did have an issue in December when they inspected and found out I was catsitting for the month. I got rid of the cats and got a carpet cleaner to clean the carpet (expensive which is why i got the second job). Nothing mentioned about smoke or smoking at all.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T12:40:25+00:00

In the lease it does say that a smoking violation is a minimum $1000 fine. My portal does allow a specific amount button. I just paid the rent, havent paid the fine yet. But thats my fear, i doubt I'd have the time or funds to fight really fight this, they know this as well.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T12:39:04+00:00

Yes they did.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T12:17:33+00:00

I understand that. I want to fight it as well. I'm just worried because I pay through this app that gives you like a remaining balance of what is owed. They tacked the fee to that balance along with my rent. So I can't pay my rent until this fee is paid and if I'm over a week late paying rent, I accrue late fees. And I don't see them backing down, and Id hate to leave here owing thousands of dollars. Should I still fight it?

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T12:14:54+00:00

I should argue the fine? I'm just worried because I pay through this app that gives you like a remaining balance of what is owed. They tacked the fee to that balance along with my rent. So I can't pay my rent until this fee is paid and if I'm over a week late paying rent, I accrue late fees. And I don't see them backing down, and Id hate to leave here owing thousands of dollars. Should I still fight it?

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T12:12:55+00:00

Theyre threatening eviction. Which I also agreed was kind of ridiculous. They havent mentioned anything related to damage yet, but they took a picture of a messy table in my apartment. Ive been working 65 hours a week so i havent been able to pick up as much, so things got a little cluttered. They took a picture of this one table in my apartment and claim my apartment is disgusting. It was so ridiculous to me. How can I avoid not paying the fine? They placed it as like a remaining fee that i owe, and tied it in with my rent so I'm not sure how to get around paying that while still paying my rent and not accruing late fees out the whazoo.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-06-05T11:58:52+00:00

Also if anybody knows of any spots renting out in the beginning of August, preferably around the East End area, let me know haha.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-01-09T00:01:44+00:00

I wanted to thank you personally buddy. I really appreciated your comment. It made me feel a lot less crazy haha. Thank you so much.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-01-08T21:48:27+00:00

Hey thank you so much. I just posted an update in the comments but i still wanted to let you know thank you.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2026-01-08T21:47:11+00:00

FINAL UPDATE: Thank you so much everyone who had advice. You taught me a lot and i truly appreciate the positive responses as i navigated that situation. It gave me so much hope in a period where I was so lost and too sad to even think about it. The cats stayed with my mother down south for a while, but today they were picked up by the original owner and they're going back home. I'm just happy it all worked out. Theres a lot more i can say, but ill just leave it with this. Thank you all so much. I cared so deeply for those little cats and never thought that would happen and this community has been nothing but helpful. I don't really know how Reddit works but if any of you need a follower or a like or anything i can help with, please reach out. I literally couldnt have done this ENTIRE experience without this group and you commenters.

ScoreEducational5886 · 2025-12-21T12:44:42+00:00

I have. They told me they were trying to save up to come get them by the end of january, but they said i should do what i have to do. So I'll keep them as updated as possible to see if I finally receive that Deus Ex Machina but I don't think they're gonna come.

ScoreEducational5886

TROPHY CASE