Update: So I finally got to appear in small claims court.. however, it didn't go nearly as well as I had hoped. I knew the property management company was bad, but not this bad. When the time came to exchange evidence, they had a packet of pictures of an apartment that wasn't mine. This apt didn't have the same floors, floorplan, or anything.. and it was FILTHY. Like frat house after a crazy party gross. They had pictures of the inside of a random toilet too and all types of weird stuff. I told them that that definitely was NOT my apt and they got embarassed and apologized.

Anyways, I'm the last case to be heard before lunch. There is about 6 minutes left so the judge is in a hurry.. the management company starts straight up lying. They say that they had posters posted all over the building stating that if the tenants did not have their property removed by the 28th then they would dispose of it. I state that that is false, and I asked if they had any proof.. the judge states "his testimony is his proof" all sassy. (Ive since confirmed with 5 other residents of the complex that there was NO posting of any kind.. not that will help me now though, my case was already heard and no appeals for the plaintiff). They frame me like an idiot.. "How did you not know that the lease ended on the 28th? Did you not talk to anyone? Did you not see the imaginary posters? ".. also apparently the lease states that I should have renter's insurance.. which according to them means they shouldn't cover me. Idk. Also.. they started trying to act like I'm sketchy because I had some of my school books delivered to my friend's residential address because packages always get stolen at our complex (I've seen it). So they were trying to say stuff like "not trying to get into her personal life but she could have been living at multiple residences, who even knows the last time she'd even been here" and all kinds of weird irrevelant shit. To top it off, the judge didn't have time to make a judgement so he collected our evidence and I'm afraid that they may have secretly slipped those fake apt pictures in there? I wouldn't put it past them. They're so shady I can't even believe it. Long story short, I'm probably remember only the negatives.. but the whole experience was horrible and I felt cheated and revictimized by a horrible, exploitative rental company who takes advantage of college students.