Countryside Apartments and its sister rental property Greenview were one of the best communities to live in. The original owners provided a warm and welcoming approach and always offered fair rental prices. Responsible tenants were rewarded with fair annual rental increases. This built stability in both communities, leading many tenants to live there for 10 years or more.
However, it is evident that the new owners and management are cold and matter-of-fact and are engaging in cut-throat business practices. The new management intends to turn quick profits by raising the rent well above NJ's average. During the first 6 months, lease renewal contracts raised tenants' rates between 9% and 11%. However, starting in August 2026, tenants have been presented with a 14% rent increase. In addition, utilities and services like water and sewer and trash removal, which were once included in the base rent, are now being charged as additional monthly fees.
With regard to the extreme rent increases, the new management is justifying this by stating this is the market value based on comparables. Ultimately, Countryside Apartments is becoming unaffordable, which will displace long-term tenants and lead to a high tenancy turnover, as well as a transient population.
During the first 6 months of ownership, the new management fired a maintenance worker, as well as Paul the superintendent of buildings and grounds. The new management also waited until the eleventh hour to offer Hope, the office manager, a new contract, which led to her resignation.
Calling to speak to the property manager is one-sided. There is no room for any negotiation. It is also evident that the new management is overly eager to renovate vacant apartments to charge even higher rental prices but does not offer any apartment improvements to existing tenants.
The best thing current tenants and potential renters can do is speak with their wallets: Do not sign a lease renewal with Countryside Apts and do not even consider renting from them. The value that Countryside Apts and Greenview offered is now gone. read more