Raj Properties are the least professional, most ignorant, rude property managers that I have ever encountered or even heard of. My list of complaints, as you will see, is very long:
1.) Mold problems are commonplace. Usually when I see this in reviews, I ignore it because if I don't see mold, it can't be too bad. If you walk into any of the Raj Properties apartments that I've seen, mold is EVERYWHERE during the months of winter (not typically when you are looking to rent) so BE CAREFUL. It can be dangerous, disgusting, stinky, and ugly to live with mold in your apartment.
2.) The water heater at my location (2732 Haste) cannot keep up with the building whatsoever. It is common that after two minutes of showering, the slightly lukewarm water turns first to cold, and then freezing. This is not a nice effect when you are covered in soap.
3.) Noise is a major issue. If anybody on your side of the building has even the smallest base system, it travels straight through the walls into your ear depriving you of sleep and study at times ranging from about 1PM to about 5AM. Raj properties is aware of this issue, but instead of dealing with resident related issue, the ONLY thing they are somewhat organized in executing is collection of rent. Despite our numerous complaints to management, the best way of dealing with the issue is to locate the source (which can sometimes be challenging) and approach them directly, which can be embarrassing and contribute to bad neighbor relations. Management neglects your peace, as they cannot see the association between happy tenants and profit margins.
4.) Damage done to the exterior of your apartment by drunk guests of surrounding apartments become YOUR LIABILITY. In addition to being harassed about not reporting the screen being torn off our window (which we did not use, were not responsible for, and did not care about) we were told that the damage would be deducted from our ludicrous deposit. We were also harassed about the broken glass on a fire extinguisher near our apartment, also not our fault, liability, or slightest care. The way that management approached us was unbelievably rude, inconsiderate, unprofessional, and bordered harassment.
5.) They will swindle you in ways you could never imagine. The rent of our apartment went up $100 right before we signed (at this point, we were set so the $100 extra was manageable for the three of us). In addition to paying $2500 for our apartment, our parking downstairs is $100/month. The parking downstairs comes with complimentary occasional septic leaking all over your car, and if you pay your rent late, they add an additional $35 for late parking (total of $85) which they will call, send letters, threaten, and linger over until you are prepared to pay them $8500 to just leave you the fuck alone. Even if your rent is paid in full, one day past their deadline and the letters, phone calls, stated reductions from your deposit, and general relentless animosity never seem to subside (they even went as far as to call my mother, who lives miles away and had never even seen my apartment, to notify her of my "delinquent" payment activities, i.e. paying one day late). Any attempt at reasoning results in rude and stubborn responses that have lasting emotional effects.
6.) If you send them a document, DO NOT EXPECT THEM TO FILE IT OR EVEN REMOVE IT FROM THE MAIL/FAX MACHINE. Sometimes, I have been forced to send the same document multiple times, even after calling and confirming its reception. A few days later, a different employee will call back complaining that they never received the document, and correspondence between them is negligible if present whatsoever. The inconvenience of their uncanny disorganization is insurmountable.
7.) If somebody flushes the toilet upstairs, it can result in septic water leaking into your apartment in five (5) different locations as exemplified by these YouTube videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioFddJLx0iw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m28ZwUsKBHk
*note in the first video the mold on the ceiling and walls in the bathroom above the shower.
Although whatever apartment you are looking at may seem to be in an ideal location, look fairly nice, and be relatively cheap, do not be fooled! There is a reason they are cheaper than neighboring companies. Your living experience will be horrible beyond anything you could have ever imagined in your wildest nightmares. I read some of these yelp reviews last year before signing my lease, and so far ignoring them and deciding to live with Raj Properties has by far been the biggest mistake of my life. read more
