AUSTIN, TX — With the fall semester at the University of Texas set to begin on Monday, Aug. 21, hundreds of students find themselves in housing limbo due to last-minute delays at Rambler, a new student apartment complex.
The students were informed late on Thursday, Aug. 17, that their move-in dates had been postponed by at least a week due to a failed fire inspection. The building, which comprises over 215 units ranging from studios to six-bedroom apartments, was originally set to welcome its first residents on the morning of Friday, Aug. 18.
“This situation—it just sucks,” said Sloan Rigamonti, a senior at UT Austin. “They managed to tell us [around] 24 hours before move-in that our move-in was delayed by a minimum of a week.”
Shelby Campbell, another senior, echoed Rigamonti’s sentiments, revealing that she and her roommates had signed their leases as far back as last Sept. “I was definitely a little annoyed when it first happened because everything seemed to be going so smoothly,” Campbell said.
Students were initially informed about the delay via email, with a follow-up email confirming that another fire inspection was scheduled for Monday. Rambler’s spokesperson assured that they are “working days, nights and weekends to move students in as quickly as possible.”
Campbell stated that she received another email on Monday evening announcing that all inspections had been passed and the latest move-in date would be Saturday, Aug. 26. “It’s, like, confirmed that we’re moving back until the 26th. But everything’s cool,” said Campbell, adding that she felt less upset after understanding that the delay was out of the management’s control.
Despite the inconvenience, Rambler is attempting to mitigate the situation by offering $200 per day in the form of a digital gift card or rent credit, along with up to $500 for travel and moving expenses. Still, Rigamonti expressed concerns. “I guarantee it won’t cover it unless the hotel is just willing to give you a deal if you’re there for a week,” she said.
According to the City of Austin Development Services Department, the last step before students can move into Rambler is for the building to pass a final inspection and receive its temporary certificate of occupancy.
Both Rigamonti and Campbell indicated that they would have appreciated more transparent communication from the management throughout the process. “I do feel taken care of because I’m fortunate enough to have found a hotel and have a car here in Austin,” said Campbell.
As students wait for more details about their revised move-in dates, they’re left to juggle the stress of finding temporary housing with the impending start of a new academic year — underscoring the critical importance of effective communication and planning in student housing projects.
In a statement from Rambler to KXAN on Austin, Friday, August 18, 2023:
We extend our heartfelt apologies to our residents and families. We are working days, nights and weekends to move students in as quickly as possible.
This article combines elements of original reporting and AI synthesis of published work.
Sources: KXAN, Shelby Campbell
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