My husband and I rented from Karen and Diane and had such a great renting experience. We never felt taken advantage of and had a heat unit on Anapamu Street. There were repairs being done to the building occasionally but I see that as a positive. Diane is great to communicate with and always a pleasure to see when entering the office. She has great humor and demeanor. Karen and her husband were also helpful and cheerful when around the building. Moving in was great and moving out was great with a reasonable deposit return. We moved due to wanting a larger apartment from a one bedroom to a 2 bedroom, and unfortunately didn't find one available at the time with Karen Lacks & Co. I'm currently with a different leasing company and love the apartment but wish I read the reviews for them before signing the lease. I will always appreciate the service from K Lacks and Diane read more

Karen Lacks Management did an excellent job when I leased an apartment. Whenever there is an issue it is always responded to with care and taken care of correctly. I will definitely be using Karen Lacks services in the future! You will not be disappointed. read more

This management company is OK. They have apartments in really cool spots so if location is your priority then you may be happy with what they have to offer. I rented from them for years in the past and the experience was just OK. If you want an ocean view without breaking the bank they might be what you're looking for. Most of the negative reviews are well founded so just be aware of that. read more

They have apartments in awesome locations. BUT- this company is no good. Stay away! They rented me an apartment with no hot water, a broken heater, stained carpet, blinds that are hung up with scotch tape, chipped tub, etc. Worst of all. Ever since moving in I have been bitten by bugs each night and have am in the process of confirming it is fleas! Wow these people are extremely incompetent, watch out. Don't get stuck in a lease with them like I am. read more

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They charged me 750 dollars to paint the walls of my 750 square foot apartment, ridiculous.

'm not one to post reviews, but I felt like I needed to share this one. I rented an apartment from Karen Lacks last year. At first, all seemed well! I had a beautiful apartment in a quaint area. The apartment next to mine was vacant for the first month and some younger girls, around my age, moved in mid-June I'd say. They were loud, but not crazy. I was used to college though, so I wasn't too shaken up by the loud noise! However, a few weeks into them living there, I received noise complaints. Karen's assistant, Diane, called me to tell me that I was too loud. I called her back to say I wasn't home as I was on a trip and it was most likely the next tenants over. I never heard from Diane after that to apologize for the mistake. Then, a few weeks later, my apartment had a leak. I wasn't aware of it until Karen's husband came to my door and looked in my bathroom without telling me what was wrong. Karen followed him inside my apartment. This was the first time I had met her. She did not say hello, acknowledge me, anything. I had to be out for a month due to the leak and they decided to put me in a Motel 6. No kitchen. No refrigerator. It was the cheapest option they could find. Luckily, I told them as a young 20 something woman I wasn't comfortable living in a Motel 6 for a month and I needed a kitchen so I could have food for the 30-something days I was there. They told me that I could move to the Extended Stay, which I did, but they didn't have a room for me one of the weekends. I wasn't given a discount on rent and was homeless for 3 days as they couldn't find another room for me. (I had friends in the area, so I was okay!) Many of the tenants were nice, though there were some older couples who weren't too friendly. I went to get my laundry at 8:15pm one evening and one of the tenants walked into the laundry room and scolded me for getting laundry too late (it closes at 8:30) and for running on the pavement (I wasn't, just wearing big shoes!). Then, a few months later, I had a large box of trash. I couldn't personally carry it myself so I went to pick up some friends who could help me. By the time I got back, the same tenant brought ALL the trash back to my door and told me she emailed Karen that I didn't 'properly throw it away' even though I had every intention to. At the end of my lease, amid COVID-19, I emailed Karen Lacks my 30 days notice. It was rejected because I "couldn't email it". The notice had to be mailed or delivered in person. I responded that amid a pandemic, I did not want to make unessential trips and tried to follow stay at home orders. Overall, I felt mistreated by the tenants and company. I felt because I was a younger woman living alone, many people thought I wasn't capable or that I could be tossed around. The apartments are lovely, but staff could be friendlier and less 'cheap' to its tenants. read more

I have been a Summerland tenant of Karen Lacks & Co. Real Estate for quite a number of years and I have found both Karen and her staff, always responsive to all my tenant needs. Diane, her office receptionist is enjoyable to work with as is Lawrence Ramstrum, her go-to-contractor and husband, who is professionally attentive to each called in repair. Karen, herself, is an outstandingly kind, and caring person whom I am happy to call a friend. In summary, I am very pleased that Karen Lacks & Co. serves as management company for the property I rent. read more

Rude! Do not use this rental company , gave us quite the hassle to get our deposit back , steer clear! Their receptionist Diane is as rude and snobby as they get read more

Have a relative who lives in apartments managed by Karen Lacks, it has been a total nightmare. Least helpful management company, horrible customer service, have been so rude and unprofessional. Would not move into a property managed by her if I were you. read more

These people are absolutely horrible and heartless!!! Do not rent from them!! They lie to your face, they are completely incompetent and you will definitely not get your deposit back from them no matter how well you have cared for and cleaned before you leave. Do not trust anything they tell you!! If I could give them minus stars I would give minus 100!!! Karen Lacks and her assistant Diane are the most cold hearted people I have EVER encountered in my entire life! I'm not sure what happened in their lives that they have become such hardened vapid human beings. I actually feel sorry for them. If you want to live in a place where you don't matter and feel violated and completely taken advantage of this is the place for you. These people will actually lie to your face and take advantage of you. The only consolation I have in dealing with them is that I believe in karma and know that they will definitely get theirs some day and probably already have. What a sad life for these two women. It's a shame you treat people the way you do. Shame on you two!!! Absolutely do not rent from them!!!! read more

We are so glad we found Karen Lacks & Co. We've lived in two of their apartments. It doesn't feel like this giant real estate machine; the owners personally invest themselves into maintaining our apartment complex (which is a total secret gem) and their office manager Diane is incredibly responsive and easy to work with. They've been flexible and accommodating in the 2.5 years we've been living here. Also, when we put in a work request it gets filled SO fast. We really lucked out with this group! read more

We have been renting from Karen Lacks Management Co. for over 2 years. I've met her and the owner of the home we rent. Both are very nice, friendly people. They never bother us (we pay the rent on time!!) and have done only 1 home inspection since we moved in. When our water heater went out, they were quick to get someone out to get it fixed. I definitely have no complaints, happy!! read more

Exceptionally rude and inconsiderate - steer clear of this business if you want to work with people with integrity.

The place is a dump. The management company is a joke. Nothing gets done on the first try, they shift responsibility and blame each other and leave you hanging. They never even answer their phone, only return calls at their convenience, They complain when they get a good check too early and they do the absolute least the can. Forget about getting a refund on your security deposit. Rip off. Run away fast. read more

I am a current tenant of Karen Lacks and have been for about 9 months now, and I have to say I've had nothing short of a great experience thus far! The apartment I rent was immaculate when I moved in with no noticeable flaws, the appliances (refrigerator, oven, shutters, etc.) were brand new and not to mention, the apartment is affordable and conveniently located a block away from downtown. The staff member who works in the office is sweet as can be and they are diligent about any problems that arise in the building. Just a week ago they let us know that they would be coming through the units to make sure our smoke detectors/ carbon monoxide alarms were up to code. I've rented apartments in the area for over 5 years and not once has another rental company checked my smoke detectors or carbon monoxide alarms. I love where I rent and who I rent from so much that I've referred two of my friends to them, and now they both rent in the same building as me. Highly recommend! Thanks Karen & co.! read more

BEWARE! Do not rent from this horrible company!!! Office Manager Diane is terrible! Very disorganized, keeps "losing" applications and tells you for a month you're approved when she has no idea where your application is and will not let you fill out another one and then sends you a bill for the application fee! read more

owner is a total joke, they dont return calls, her "assistant" diane is useless and they never answer or return calls. steer clear at all cost. p read more