ORLANDO, Fla. – Some UCF students in off-campus housing complexes are stuck paying rent for apartments they aren’t using.

• Some students owe rent for apartments they aren't using
• At least 1 off-campus housing complex still expecting rent
• Apartment management says it gets no public assistance

UCF biology major Tara Fellows has moved home to Mims in Brevard County to finish her courses online amid the coronavirus crisis and wants to break her lease early at The Station Alafaya apartments.

She says when she called a manager there, she was told “it’s business as usual,” and rent is still due on the first of the month.

“Nothing about this situation is business as usual," Fellows said. "We can’t use our amenities. We’re supposed to be locked down in our house, and we all live in really close quarters. I live in a unit that’s four bedrooms, so it’s pretty small,” she said.

State Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani sent letters to several UCF off-campus student apartment complexes, including The Station Alafaya, asking them to work with students who are stressed about having to leave campus and follow stay-at-home orders.

“It was out of their control," Eskamani said. "We need these apartment complexes to understand that, and to create some flexibility -- ideally break the lease, but we would even enjoy and appreciate a discount on rent.”

UCF issued refunds to students in on-campus housing. But thousands of students, like Fellows, are still tied to off-campus apartments they don’t live in anymore and are still on the hook to pay for it.

“I would like to see an educated, compassionate response from Landmark Properties. Show us your care,” Fellows said.

Eskamani says companies are unfairly expecting students to use federal financial assistance to pay rent. She says many students will not get a stimulus check because they're still considered dependents of their parents, and parents will not see an additional $500 because their child is older than 17.

Spectrum News 13 received this response, in part, from The Station Alafaya about its tenants and rent policy:

“Based on the information we’ve received, we do not have reason to believe our residents or staff are at any greater risk of transmitting COVID-19 by staying at The Station. We are committed to doing our part to maintain a safe living environment for our residents.

With private entrances, private bedrooms and private bathrooms, our cottage homes provide a space for residents to shelter-in-place and practice responsible social distancing. Based on CDC guidance, we believe these are the most effective ways to help slow the spread.

As a privately owned and operated housing community, we rely solely on monthly installments from our residents to meet our financial obligations. ... Unlike the university, we do not receive any public funds — and we have not mandated our residents move out of their leased homes. 

We understand that some residents may be facing financial hardships during these unprecedented times. We encourage all leaseholders who have experienced an income loss as a result of the pandemic to reach out to us so we can work with them to identify potential options for their particular situation."