7/11/2009 This is an addendum to the review I wrote in June. Maintenance came out to attempt to repair the problems within twenty-four hours after submitting and requesting a copy of a maintenance request form. Bug bombs had been used for the palmetto bug problem and, so far, appears to have been slightly more effective than the normal pest control. Two large palmetto bugs have been spotted since the bug bombs were deployed, both of whom were very much alive. The repair technician from the warrantee authorized repair shop for the washer/dryer had also been called out to look at the machine again. A noticeable trend has developed with this machine. Every time the technician tinkers with the unit, it is drained so it can be worked on. The dryer appeared to operate the way it was supposed to when the first load was run through after being examined by technician. The second load, however, never dried. The detergent dishes (where you add in the detergent and bleach for the washer) were also completely dry after the technician had visited. After the first load had been washed, however, the detergent dish remained wet and the bleach dish completely filled with water. The water remains in the detergent dishes, and most likely the washer drum, until it is drained by the technician again. The sulfurous smell also has returned. The washer must be run empty, now WITH detergent, in order to avoid having the laundry take on the smell. The dishwasher has also recently starting going on the fritz. Sometimes no water runs through the unit at all, sometimes only the dishes in the bottom bin are cleaned while those in the top bin receive a sprinkling of water. Maintenance also checked on this and stated there was not a problem they could find. To this date, the dishwasher is still functioning sporadically. The cracks in the walls had also been temporarily repaired. Of course, about a week later, they are starting to appear again. In addition, the cracks in the kitchen were not addressed at all. There have been so many layers of paint added over the cracks in the rest of the apartment that they now form stripes around the top of the walls that are visible at all lighting levels. One additional comment for this addendum remains to be made. The Property Manger has informed my roommate and I, over the phone, that she has read my review and finds it very rude. As a resident who turns my hard-earned income over to this property I have the right to expect the apartment to be what I was lead to believe it was before moving in. Please, investigate this property thoroughly BEFORE signing a lease. I almost wish I had been looking to buy so I would have had a home inspection report to warn me away from this place. ********* 6/26/2009 (Original Review) I was excited when I was apartment searching and saw that this place had been extensively remodeled. I had lived in the complex years before when they were known as Regency Lakes and had a great experience. The apartments were a bit dated then but were in good shape and well worth the price. When I saw they had been remodeled I thought that it would be great. When I toured the complex, their models looked nice and the unit I eventually moved into appeared to be nice and in good shape. The unit I moved into had not been lived in for a year after the remodel so I did expect some minor one-time inconveniences that would normally be incurred when finding the small things that needed to be fine-tuned. The problems ended up being major and recurring and they began about a week after moving in. Immediately, large palmetto bugs began to appear in droves. I initially thought that this was because the unit had been empty for such a long time. However, after two months and several visits from pest control, they are still a major problem. I have lived in many places in the state of Florida, and one place was on a hammock in the everglades on the edge of the swamp. Even though I had to deal with pests in many of these places, none has been as bad as this place. Four days after moving in cracks began to appear between the ceiling and the walls on EVERY interior wall in the unit. The maintenance crew has been out twice so far to caulk and paint the cracks and they still keep appearing. In fact, at the time of this writing, it has been just under two weeks since the last time the cracks had been “fixed” and they are starting to reappear. I had suggested a onetime fix. I am quite familiar with materials science and understand exactly what is causing the cracks to appear. I also understand that the “fixes” being preformed will only mask the cracks for a short time and must be repeated often. I suggested that inexpensive molding, something as simple as a strip of plain wood molding, would cover the cracks so I don’t have to keep seeing them appear on almost every wall of the unit. I was told that the owner would not do it. The washer/dryer unit is another problem. One of the things I like was that the unit included it. The machine they put in the unit, however, I would not give to my worst enemy. It is a ventless, all in one washer/dryer and the dryer does not work. The washer initially worked fine, however after 12+ hours of continuous, uninterrupted drying (for one load) I had to take my laundry to the bath tub, wring out the water that was still dripping off of them, and hang them to dry (which of course made the clothes feel like a brillo pad). Now I lose a whole day out of every week doing the wash so I can make it to the laundry mat before it closes to do the drying. I can no longer do a couple loads every other day or so like I used to because I have to take everything three miles away to the laundry matt. To top it off, the washer is now beginning to smell of sulfur and I have to run it empty with soap before washing anything in order to prevent my clothes from taking on that horrible smell. All the staff is willing to do is send a technician out from the warranty company to say that it is fine and working properly. The maintenance staff has even let on that there are newer machines in empty units that seem to be working better but the owner would not allow one to be transferred to my apartment and that I’ll have to deal with what I have. The biggest problem I had was when I asked the complex to bring my rent down about one hundred dollars a month for having to deal with these reoccurring problems. I tried to patiently explain that I agreed to pay what I was told was above market value for the specific amenities like having a washer/dryer. I also let them know very politely that I expect to not have to worry about bug infestations and look at cracks on every wall of my unit. During the discussion, I was repeatedly told that, as far as she (the property manager) was concerned the maintenance issues had all been fixed and that I had signed a legal document and was required to pay that amount and the owner would never compromise. She also began to insist that all I was concerned about was that the going rate for my unit was lower this month due their current rent special and that all I wanted to do was get cheaper rent and she would not do it. I was also told in this same meeting that I my suggestion about the molding was improper and that the owner will not put in the “expensive crown molding” that I had requested unless I pay for the materials. As I said above, I just requested inexpensive plain molding to cover the cracks and I am not willing to pay to fix what, ultimately, the property manager and owner failed to have the contractor who remodeled the unit do. I feel that this complex preformed what amounts to a bait and switch. This place was a much more pleasant and convenient place to live before the new owner filled the units with cheap materials. I also am abhorred at the property manager’s cold response to the issue, particularly the insistence that I just want cheaper rent because of their new rent special. All I wanted was a good-faith adjustment in the rent that would say, “Hey, we didn’t know the unit was in such poor conditions. We’re sorry and this should help make up for it.” I was told once I was paying above market, then that my monthly rent was a special and that I was already paying below market. The answer keeps changing so I don’t know what it is. The special I received was the first month free and that was it. No special rent price, just the first month free. Now I’m being told differently and made to feel that I should feel extremely grateful to get what I have. Do not move here, it’s not worth over paying just to receive nothing but one hassle after another. ...

I was excited when I was apartment searching and saw that this place had been extensively remodeled. I had lived in the complex years before when they were known as Regency Lakes and had a great experience. The apartments were a bit dated then but were in good shape and well worth the price. When I saw they had been remodeled I thought that it would be great. When I toured the complex, their models looked nice and the unit I eventually moved into appeared to be nice and in good shape. The unit I moved into had not been lived in for a year after the remodel so I did expect some minor one-time inconveniences that would normally be incurred when finding the small things that needed to be fine-tuned. The problems ended up being major and recurring and they began about a week after moving in. Immediately, large palmetto bugs began to appear in droves. I initially thought that this was because the unit had been empty for such a long time. However, after two months and several visits from pest control, they are still a major problem. I have lived in many places in the state of Florida, and one place was on a hammock in the everglades on the edge of the swamp. Even though I had to deal with pests in many of these places, none has been as bad as this place. Four days after moving in cracks began to appear between the ceiling and the walls on EVERY interior wall in the unit. The maintenance crew has been out twice so far to caulk and paint the cracks and they still keep appearing. In fact, at the time of this writing, it has been just under two weeks since the last time the cracks had been “fixed” and they are starting to reappear. I had suggested a onetime fix. I am quite familiar with materials science and understand exactly what is causing the cracks to appear. I also understand that the “fixes” being preformed will only mask the cracks for a short time and must be repeated often. I suggested that inexpensive molding, something as simple as a strip of plain wood molding, would cover the cracks so I don’t have to keep seeing them appear on almost every wall of the unit. I was told that the owner would not do it. The washer/dryer unit is another problem. One of the things I like was that the unit included it. The machine they put in the unit, however, I would not give to my worst enemy. It is a ventless, all in one washer/dryer and the dryer does not work. The washer initially worked fine, however after 12+ hours of continuous, uninterrupted drying (for one load) I had to take my laundry to the bath tub, wring out the water that was still dripping off of them, and hang them to dry (which of course made the clothes feel like a brillo pad). Now I lose a whole day out of every week doing the wash so I can make it to the laundry mat before it closes to do the drying. I can no longer do a couple loads every other day or so like I used to because I have to take everything three miles away to the laundry matt. To top it off, the washer is now beginning to smell of sulfur and I have to run it empty with soap before washing anything in order to prevent my clothes from taking on that horrible smell. All the staff is willing to do is send a technician out from the warranty company to say that it is fine and working properly. The maintenance staff has even let on that there are newer machines in empty units that seem to be working better but the owner would not allow one to be transferred to my apartment and that I’ll have to deal with what I have. The biggest problem I had was when I asked the complex to bring my rent down about one hundred dollars a month for having to deal with these reoccurring problems. I tried to patiently explain that I agreed to pay what I was told was above market value for the specific amenities like having a washer/dryer. I also let them know very politely that I expect to not have to worry about bug infestations and look at cracks on every wall of my unit. During the discussion, I was repeatedly told that, as far as she (the property manager) was concerned the maintenance issues had all been fixed and that I had signed a legal document and was required to pay that amount and the owner would never compromise. She also began to insist that all I was concerned about was that the going rate for my unit was lower this month due their current rent special and that all I wanted to do was get cheaper rent and she would not do it. I was also told in this same meeting that I my suggestion about the molding was improper and that the owner will not put in the “expensive crown molding” that I had requested unless I pay for the materials. As I said above, I just requested inexpensive plain molding to cover the cracks and I am not willing to pay to fix what, ultimately, the property manager and owner failed to have the contractor who remodeled the unit do. I feel that this complex preformed what amounts to a bait and switch. This place was a much more pleasant and convenient place to live before the new owner filled the units with cheap materials. I also am abhorred at the property manager’s cold response to the issue, particularly the insistence that I just want cheaper rent because of their new rent special. All I wanted was a good-faith adjustment in the rent that would say, “Hey, we didn’t know the unit was in such poor conditions. We’re sorry and this should help make up for it.” I was told once I was paying above market, then that my monthly rent was a special and that I was already paying below market. The answer keeps changing so I don’t know what it is. The special I received was the first month free and that was it. No special rent price, just the first month free. Now I’m being told differently and made to feel that I should feel extremely grateful to get what I have. Do not move here, it’s not worth over paying just to receive nothing but one hassle after another. ...