I've been living in Avalon since May. When we moved in we loved the office people. They were nice, friendly and caring. When we moved in we had a deal where we didn't pay pet rent (fixed at $20/apt NOT per pet). We told them up front we planned on staying 2-3 years and asked if it would be valid through the whole term, or only the first year. We also asked if we painted the walls what would we need to do when we moved out.
First off, we were told that they may, or may not extend the free pet rent, it would depend on the property manager. No biggie, totally understand. Then they said that they would paint the apartment when we left so we just had to make sure the walls were primed so they only needed to use one coat of paint. No problem there.
About March we started looking into larger units in Avalon and in other places. They said if we transfered when our lease was up at the end of May that we wouldn't have to pay a transfer fee, and our deposit and pet deposit would transfer over so we wouldn't have to pay again. At the end of May my wife was graduating with her Masters, and I had finals. I asked if it was possible to postpone it until June 8th. They said if I did, I'd have to pay the transfer fee, deposit, and pet deposit again (about $700 total), for ONE WEEK! So, we were forced to move across a two week period (instead of 2-3 days) meaning we had to pay for two apartments for more than a week longer than we should have. We were also told (two days before our final date) that we had to paint the walls back to the original color, NOT just prime them. So, that's 5-6 hours more work I was NOT expecting, when we need to be studying for exams!
Also, when we moved into the first apartment, we had them put ceiling fans in the rooms. These things come with NO overhead lighting (Master Bedroom does, but that's it). We also had them replace the cheap hall lighting with lights we purchased that are brighter (and look better), and we had them put up track lighting in the kitchen (to replace the HORRIBLE florescent light in there). The second week in May I gave them a list of the things we had them put in (we bought them, they put them in), and asked that they be moved. Nothing happened for weeks. A few days before finals I went into the office and DEMANDED they atleast move the ceiling fans over so I have some light to study by. It is July 5th, and we're still waiting on the rest of the things. We've been COMPLETELY out of the other apartment for over a month now! I've made NUMEROUS requests to have the rest of the items moved. The office people say "We'll talk to the guys" I talked to the maintainance guys, and they tell me they are backed up, and they'll get to me. If they are backed up TWO MONTHS, then they need to get more people.
Two weeks ago I filed a complaint about my water heater. I get a 10min luke warm shower. There isn't enough hot water to wash our clothes in hot water, or to do dishes. I haven't seen or heard from anyone.
THEN, Monday I get a note on my door that I owe $150 pet deposit. We were told everything was being transfered over, and that we owed nothing. We paid everything it said on our contract. I went into the office and she said, "We have no record of payment." from the previous management company. She THEN tells me that they are going to increase my rent by $40 since we have 3 dogs and they only had us marked down for 1. I told her that the pet rent was per apartment NOT per dog, and they knew we had 3 dogs before we signed the contract and they should have stated this earlier. I told her we signed a contract to pay $745 $20 pet rent, and that is what we'll pay, and we're not paying the $150 pet deposit. So goes on to tell me how it's not fair to other tenants if we only pay for one dog when others pay for multiple. I told her that had she told us this up front we would have moved elsewhere as when all this is taken into account, there are cheaper places and that trying to change our rent after the fact is breach of contract, and I reminded her that we are still waiting for weeks/months on our maintainance issues. She looked at me and shrugged. At that point I left.
The office person's name is Shauna I believe. Her and some young girl run the office. There was an older lady in the office who claims she's been there longer than we've lived there (however I'd NEVER seen her before), and claims we were NEVER told half the stuff we were (ie, only needing to prime the walls, etc).
At one point when talking to the maintainance guy about getting the work done he basically told me that if I had a problem with them, I should talk to the office. I told him the office people haven't done a THING. He told me I should talk to the regional rep then. I called and tried to get the name/number of the regional manager and they refused to give it to me. They said they'd take a message for the property manager. I asked for the property manager's name/number, and they refused again. I left a message (little over a week ago), and haven't heard anything.
I am REALLY sick and tired of dealing with these people. If it wasn't for the fact we just spent two weeks moving and we aren't even settled, and we don't have the money to move, we'd try to break our contract and move. It seems like every week there's something new. Two months ago I was informed I shouldn't be paying the water bill directly, I'm supposed to pay Avalon instead. Okay, so I go from getting a bill and paying it directly to having to go into the office every month and ask what my bill is and either add it to my rent, or write another check. What IDIOT decided THAT was a good idea?! And apparently it's been like that for a year, but NO ONE told us!
I tried to find direct contact information for the management company for Avalon Oaks, but all I find is the number to the office. If anyone has any direct numbers to higher-ups, I'd appreciate them. I'd also appreciate some suggestions to my maintainance/rent issues.
Sean
Columbus, Ohio
U.S.A.
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