I totally agree with Joe! I rented an apartment at 390 Forest Ave. From Richwood in 1999. When I signed the lease I was told by Larry Garner, the owner of Richwood, that he was going to completely renovate the neighborhood. He stated to me that he was in the process of buying every house on Forest Ave.in order to "clean up the area."
I was promised off-street parking, a fenced grassy area for my dog, and that all the garbage would be cleaned up. My father had reservations about my renting from Richwood, but Larry *PROMISED* my father all needed repairs would be made, all trash would be cleaned up in the area, and the area was *DRUG-FREE* and *QUIET*. What a crock!!!
After living there for 2 months, I still had two broken windows in the apartment, trash from other Richwood tenants was scattered all over the place, I had NO area for my dog, and the apartment was falling apart. Also, There were 11 other people living in the house where my apartment was. This was a 3 story HOUSE with a total of 4 bedrooms! There was ccocaine scattered on the front porch, broken beer bottles all over the place, and the noise was non-stop!!! Complaining did no good.
I repeatedly asked to be released form my lease, as Larry had obviously lied about cleaning up the properties and fixing the damages. I requested the *PROMISED* area for my dog and was told to let her "go" into the backyard of a family who owned property next door. When I asked if he (Larry) had some arrangement with the family next door, he stated to me that he wanted their house and they wouldn't sell, so he was hoping to make it so "miserable" for them that they would sell to him! This was the final straw for me. The family next door had 5 children, they were always helpful to the students who lived nearby, and Larry was telling *EVERY* new tenant to "run them out of the neighborhood!!!
I contacted the City of Morgantown to tell them about the garbage, drugs, overcrowding, and poor condition of the area, thanks to Richwood Properties and Larry Garner, and was told they would "check it out." After 4 months, NOTHING had been checked out and NOTHING was cleaned up or repaired! Instead, Larry had all the trees in the area cut down, had all the trash dumpsters removed, and had 3 MORE PEOPLE moved into my building~
When my lease ended, after my father had fixed the broken windows, broken toilet, and put on a new door lock, I had the apartment cleaned by a cleaning company and had all the carpets shampooed. This all cost me $300.00 dollars. I asked for my deposit to be returned ($750.00) and for the return of my parking fee ($150.00) since I NEVER received the off-street parking I payed for.
Larry refused to return my deposits and informed my that if I chose to sue, he was certain he could find enough damage to justify keeping my deposits! My mother approached Larry's wife (co-owner of Richwood Properties and a teacher in the Monongalia County School system) in regard to the return of my deposits. Her reply to my mother was "tough shit! My Dad approached the City of Morgantown and was given the standard "We'll look into it".. That was over three years ago!!!
My advice to ANYONE thinking of renting from Richwood Properties & DON'T!!! They don't give a damn about you, the neighborhood, or their properties. If you want to live in a over-crowded slum and be forced (with threat of being kicked out) to "run off" others who own property in the area, if you want your money stolen. Then Richwood is the place for you!
Joe, I applaud your efforts, but I would not expect the City of Morgantown to stop this scumbag! They, like Richwood Properties, just don't give a damn!
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