You probably do have to pay. The problem is, from what you write, you did *not* contact the cable company to find out what to do--you spoke with the property manger, who does not have the right to speak for the cable company. If the cable company had told you to leave it in the apartment and you followed their instructions, that would be one thing, and in that circumstance, you should not be liable; however, you instead followed the instructions, from what you write, of someone who had no authority to tell you what to do.