My experience at Sentral Wynwood started badly before I even moved in. I couldn't visit in person,…read moreso I asked Carla, the leasing agent, if units had balconies. She said some did, so I rented one. She never explained that mine was on the ground floor facing the courtyard and gym, where people could look straight into my home. The photos she showed me weren't of my actual unit. My "balcony" was really a terrace opening onto a shared courtyard, with no privacy.
The furnished apartment was disappointing too: damaged, worn furniture of very poor quality for the price.
After my first three-month lease, they proposed increasing my rent by about $200. I couldn't move, so I renewed for six months. When I extended for just one more month, they charged a $250 short-term premium--even though I'd already lived there nine months. Meanwhile, I saw the advertised price of my exact apartment had dropped, yet management had refused my request for a lower rate if I renewed for six months.
Sentral is also a hotel. I repeatedly found cigarette butts, water bottles and even medication thrown onto my terrace. I complained, but nothing changed. Whenever I tried to speak to management, they seemed to be "in a meeting."
The worst part was security. My apartment door was opened without my permission more than once, including while I was inside in my underwear. I live alone and felt extremely vulnerable. One day, my neighbor's little daughter even opened my front door WITH HER OWN KEY. How could another resident's key open my apartment? I complained to Jeanette and Tina repeatedly but saw no meaningful solution, accountability or gesture of goodwill. I felt brushed aside and avoided afterward.
Then came the billing problems. Management tried to charge me about $750 in rent I'd already paid. I had to fight to prove the error, felt spoken to as if I were stupid, and then waited TEN DAYS without a response while I needed to pay rent at my new place. I was also charged for parking despite requesting cancellation.
Since October 20, I've repeatedly emailed Jeanette asking for a breakdown of another $80 charge I paid before leaving. Two weeks, multiple emails, no explanation. Jeanette stopped replying after I moved out. After the $750 mistake, how is ignoring another billing question acceptable? These repeated charges have left me feeling taken advantage of.
Despite everything, I booked two hotel nights at Sentral after moving out, hoping to remain a loyal customer. The room was dirty. My white socks were black after walking on the floor.Another disappointment.
NOW, THE ONLY POSITIVE PART: Francisco, David and Hesikiah at the front desk. They are kind, welcoming, professional and genuinely caring. They were the ONLY reason I considered staying.
I especially want to recognize Francisco.
Francisco was my safe place at Sentral. Whenever something went wrong, he was the person I knew I could turn to. He always listened, reacted immediately and genuinely tried to find solutions. He was incredibly responsive, efficient, caring and professional.
While I struggled to get answers from leasing management, Francisco was always there, doing everything he could to help. He doesn't just promise to help--he actually gets things done!
One day I even asked him to check something personal for me in the parking lot, and he went right away without hesitation. He truly made me feel like family at Sentral.
I believe Francisco deserves to be a manager in the leasing department. He has what management is missing: empathy, professionalism, accountability and the ability to solve problems.
Sentral would genuinely be a better place with Francisco in management.
David and Hesikiah also deserve recognition for their kindness, professionalism and positive energy. Those 3 are literally the best thing at sentral. They are always here to help. They always go above and beyond.
Thank you, all three of you, for making a frustrating experience so much better.
Residents and this wonderful front desk team deserve better