When he originally signed his lease, second-year College student Louis Ford thought that by this point in the semester he would be living in Camden Plaza.
Instead, he lives on his friend's couch.
Ford terminated his lease with Woodard Properties last week, after the company announced that individuals who had signed leases to live in Camden Plaza could break them without penalty.
The change in policy comes after a series of delays in the construction of Camden Plaza, a six-story complex located on 14th Street. Before, any residents who broke leases were obliged to pay one month's rent.
Woodard Properties originally scheduled the construction to be completed by Aug. 22. A week before classes began, Woodard Properties sent a letter informing lease-holders that they would not be able to move in by the first day of classes. Lease-holders then were told they would be able to move into their apartments in 7 to 10 days.
After two subsequent delays, however, Woodard Properties Property Manager Joy Waring said she can only hope the first residents will move in by the end of next week.
Waring ascribed the delays in construction to scheduling conflicts between contractors.
"Different contractors were not able to come when we needed them," said Waring, who emphasized that these conflicts are very common in any large construction project. "It's a tremendous amount to coordinate."
Second-year College student Noah Sullivan broke his lease last week after finding alternative housing on 15th Street.
"From our perspective, it meant so much to have a place to call your own," Sullivan said.
He decided to break the lease because of the uncertain date given for the completion of construction.
Waring said students have broken only two leases since the change in the policy. The majority of students have opted to keep their leases. For their loyalty, Woodard Properties has given each group of residents two months worth of free rent, as well as a $500 credit per tenant.
"Many apartments are near completion," Waring said.
She added that the Woodard staff has begun to show the apartments to future residents. She expects all residents to move in within two to six weeks.
Many members of the Charlottesville community have opened their houses to students displaced by the construction delays. Between 35 and 40 Charlottesville residents have contacted Woodard Properties to offer their support.
"We've been touched by it," Waring said. "We wish we could extend our thanks."
Both Sullivan and Ford criticized Woodard Properties for not arranging alternative housing for their future residents.
"Finding alternative housing was such a pain," Ford said. "It was really irresponsible of them not to arrange any for us."
Sullivan chose not to live with any members of the community because of concerns about the distance from Grounds of many of their residences.
"I had friends near Grounds, so I just lived with them," he said.
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