RENTER BEWARE: I highly discourage anyone from renting an apartment from Fred's. Due to the company's poor building maintenance, appalling customer service, and borderline abusive business tactics regarding security deposits, I wish I could give FHP 0 stars.
*Building maintenance & work orders WILL be an issue. Just a few months after moving into our apartment, we noticed a unstable window that would become detached from the frame. Despite more than 10 requests by email and phone to fix the window, the company never sent a representative to fix it. One of our bathtubs even leaked into the business downstairs, which was also never fixed. These buildings are very old, sometimes more than 100 years old, and they've been poorly maintained for decades. There is a very high probability that you will run into similar problems and the landlord will be either unwilling or unable to help.
*The company's customer service is absolutely horrid. At the end of the day, the FHP office realizes that they are dealing with broke college students whose parents are most likely footing the bill. The company does not care that trash isn't taken out over the weekend. They don't care that random individuals can easily enter the property. For every interaction with FHP, they will give you a tight-lipped answer to make you go away. Through my entire time with Fred's, it seemed their only motivation was delivering the worst possible service for the most possible money.
*FHP will conduct a move-out inspection and claim hundreds/thousands of dollars in false damage. This is a recurring problem with FHP as other Yelp reviewers and Google reviewers have run into similar problems for years. Even if you thoroughly clean the apartment before moving out, there is absolutely 0% chance that you will recover the entire security deposit. This is because the contract you sign will have quirky phrases like "there is a non-refundable $100 move-out fee per person that will be taken from your security deposit." The company will also charge you hundreds in cleaning fees, so don't forget to clean your vents and dust under the washing machine. When you dispute the move-out report and ask for documentation, the company will threaten to take you to court or mediation.
If I have any advice, it's (1) do not rent from Fred's. If you still decide to make this decision, (2) take pictures of EVERYTHING. Document every interaction with the company and take photos of every scratch in the apartment.
There are tons of options for cheap, downtown student living in Athens - do not make the same mistake that I, and so many others, have made. read more