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UNCC students kicked out of hotels after apartment complex delays move-in again

By Elsa Gillis
By Elsa Gillis

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hundreds of UNCC students are being kicked out of their hotel rooms because the Haven 49 apartment complex has pushed back their move-in date once again.

[RELATED: UNCC classes start while students wait for apartment complex to be ready]

The complex originally said students would be able to move in on Aug. 31, but when that date didn't pan out, they began paying for students to stay in hotel rooms.

Students told Channel 9 that the hotels are asking them to leave because of an upcoming race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday.

Eyewitness News reporter Elsa Gillis went to the complex Thursday and she said builders are still in the construction process.

"We were supposed to stay here for a week and then it's turned into a month and a half," said Tanner Blue, a senior at UNCC.

For weeks, Blue and fellow classmate, William King, have been living out of a hotel.

"It's hard to study in a hotel room," said King.

With classes already underway, students who planned to move into Haven 49 have to continue finding housing until the apartment complex is ready.

Sam Weisberg is one of many students unable to get into the apartment he leased.

“It’s been a hassle for me,” Weisberg said. “I think it's absurd. I think it's fraudulent and I think something needs to be done.”

[READ MORE: New program allows students to have pets in some UNCC dorms]

Last month,Channel 9 told you management sent a letter saying the apartments would be ready for students by Sept. 15, but they have now pushed the date to Sept. 29.

"It's like a season of television. Every week we're getting a new episode on why were not gonna be able to move in and it's just really frustrating," said King.

Students told Channel 9 that management pressured them for money in advance, and they knew the complex wasn't going to open in time.

“I think it verges on criminal. I really do,” said Stuart Weisberg, Sam Weisberg's father.

In the meantime, Sam Weisberg said he is staying with family in Waxhaw and out-of-town students continue living out of suitcases in hotels.

“They waited for a week before school to throw this at everybody,” Stuart Weisberg said.

Sam Weisberg said the delay has also led to parking headaches.

“My car was towed and I was charged $200,” Sam Weisberg said.

Sources have indicated to Channel 9 that the contractor has failed multiple inspections on the project.

[Students: UNCC parking still a problem despite new parking deck, light rail extension]

Management released a statement saying they will make accommodations for the students that have been kicked out, but students told Channel 9 they still don't know where they are staying.

"It's just this whole mess I just want a concrete reason why, OK this is why, just a specific reason, and just be honest with us," said Blue.

Although the complex is paying for the hotel room, students are still paying for their own transportation and food, because the rooms do not have kitchens.

Haven 49 management has apologized for the inconvenience and told Channel 9 they continue to offer financial compensation for students impacted.

Students told Gillis that they are also hearing that the move-in date may be delayed again until Oct. 6.

According to an earlier email to their residents,  Haven 49 gave students at the hotels a $500 gift card as well.

Channel 9 called the complex to get some answers and was told their public relations firm would get in touch with us.

HAVEN 49's message to residents:

"Unfortunately, the race weekend and pre-existing hotel reservations means that we will have to move students staying in the Holiday Inn, Springhill Suites and Courtyard Marriott into new hotel accommodations for the weekend."

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