Hundreds of university students in Tallahassee have found their fall semester plans upended following extensive move-in delays at Perla Apartments. The brand-new residential complex, situated directly across the street from Doak S. Campbell Stadium, failed to open its doors on its scheduled date, forcing students and their families to navigate weeks of displacement and logistical chaos.
The newly constructed property was originally slated to welcome residents on Friday, Aug. 21. However, unexpected postponements pushed the opening back by more than three weeks. The delay has affected a substantial population of prospective tenants enrolled at neighboring institutions, including Florida State University and Florida A&M University, who were left searching for immediate temporary accommodations.
For many incoming residents, the notification of the delay arrived with virtually no time to make alternative plans. Frustrated families voiced their grievances on social media, with one parent commenting on a Tallahassee Democrat Instagram post that management had provided less than 24 hours of notice before the scheduled move-in. The parent described the company's handling of the situation as poor management and noted that their family had to urgently search for an entirely separate apartment complex for their daughter.
In the weeks following the initial disruption, Perla sent a series of email updates to its displaced tenants to provide revised timelines. On Sept. 2, the complex notified residents that the anticipated move-in would take place no later than Sept. 12.
A subsequent email sent on Sept. 9 offered further specifics regarding the property's staged opening. Management informed residents that the Certificate of Occupancy for Buildings B and C was scheduled to be submitted the following day. The message also outlined that residents assigned to Building A would be permitted to move in no later than Sept. 19.
Despite these updates, family members of residents expressed deep frustration over the transparency and clarity of the communications. Axel Bertran de Balanda, whose daughter was among the displaced students, emphasized that the uncertainty surrounding the complex’s readiness was compounded by inconsistent information from leasing representatives.
Bertran de Balanda recalled visiting the leasing office on July 3 to specifically inquire about the Aug. 21 move-in date. During that visit, staff members assured him that the timeline would be honored. When he asked directly whether the complex had already secured its Certificate of Occupancy, staff members reportedly told him that the document had already been issued.
The reality of the situation proved far different, leading Bertran de Balanda to describe the lack of communication as the most trying aspect of the ordeal. He noted that families were consistently left without clear, reliable answers as the semester got underway.
The prolonged delay resulted in severe disruptions for students attempting to establish their academic routines. Bertran de Balanda’s daughter, Amélie, an incoming FSU freshman, experienced repeated relocations across Tallahassee. She explained that she initially stayed in an Airbnb, was subsequently forced to relocate to a second Airbnb, and eventually had to check into a local hotel.
The housing crunch became particularly acute during weekends featuring Florida State Seminoles home football games. With area hotels reaching peak capacity to accommodate visiting sports fans, available rooms became scarce, forcing some displaced students into lodging located substantially farther away from campus.
Living without permanent housing created significant day-to-day logistical hurdles for students. Amélie Bertran de Balanda pointed out that not having a vehicle made basic tasks, such as traveling back and forth to retrieve belongings from a storage unit, exceedingly difficult while trying to adapt to college life without a stable home base.
Other residents managed to navigate the disruption with fewer hardships, though dissatisfaction with management remained prevalent. William Ales, an FSU international affairs major, considered himself one of the more fortunate tenants affected by the delay. Ales was able to stay in a single room without a roommate, received assistance from his parents to transport his apartment essentials, and relied on generous friends who shared their living spaces.
Even so, Ales voiced disappointment with the property’s administrative response. He remarked that he was left with a bitter taste regarding the management team, explaining that although their correspondence was apologetic, updates were consistently delivered too late to be genuinely helpful.
To mitigate the financial and personal strain on residents, Perla promised ongoing compensation packages to those awaiting access to their units. These relief measures have included daily rent credits, meal vouchers, transportation aid, and reimbursements to cover storage expenses.
For families who were finally able to complete their move-in, the on-site execution received positive feedback. Bertran de Balanda noted that the physical move-in day operated seamlessly, praising the assistance provided by professional movers who helped transfer belongings into the units without issue.
While portions of the facility have opened, other tenants continue to wait for their respective buildings to receive final clearance. Perla management has been reached for comment regarding the ongoing delays and the handling of tenant communications throughout the transition period.
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