TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — After nearly three weeks of living out of hotels instead of their new apartments, some Florida State University students who signed leases at Perla say they are weighing whether to keep waiting or try to start over somewhere else.
FSU student Colin Alexander has documented the delays in a series of TikTok videos. In a video dated Aug. 21, he said, “So they’re saying seven days,” referring to what he expected would be a short delay. But the move-in date was pushed again. In another video, he said, “They delayed our move-in again.”
Now, more than two weeks after that first TikTok video, Alexander said he has started looking for other housing.
“Saturday I started looking around. Sunday I applied for another apartment complex it took about two days to hear back from them and then I told Perlahey my application finally went through,” Alexander said.
But Alexander said he ran into another obstacle when he tried to get out of his lease.
“Then they emailed me back saying, Oh, like that time ran out. you’re still stuck to the lease. And I was like, What do you mean? You guys gave us what, two days to find a new place? that’s like, you can’t apply and hear back within that time,” he said.
Parents are also expressing frustration. Rosie Roy said the options for comparable housing in the area are limited.
“The problem at this point in the game, there are no other comparable apartments in CollegeTownand the ones that do have space don’t have parking,” Roy said.
Work at Perla has continued as students wait. Activity appeared on the city’s permit portal this morning, including a fire final inspection entry.
Hedrick Brothers Construction said it is working with city officials and inspectors as the project moves toward approval.
“We appreciate the diligence of the City of Tallahassee, fire and building officials, and inspection teams in exercising an abundance of caution to ensure the property is fully completed, approved and safe for students. We share that commitment and will continue working collaboratively with all parties to move the project toward final approval as efficiently and responsibly as possible,” the company said in a statement.
Residents are now being told Sept. 12 is the anticipated move-in date. Roy said she remains uncertain after multiple delays.
“Not super confident because it’s not our first rescheduled move-in date. But, but I’m hopeful,” she said.
For Alexander, another date on the calendar has not ended the strain of temporary living arrangements.
“Its been challenging moving hotels having to pack and unpack. Its been difficult,” he said.
Perla’s latest anticipated move-in date is Sept. 12. Hedrick Brothers Construction said it is continuing to work with inspectors and the project team toward final approval and turnover.