I was a resident of Steve Brown Properties, including Brownridge Terrace and West End Circle, for…read moreseven years. Unfortunately, my experience was incredibly stressful and often felt like an ongoing battle rather than a place to call home.
Throughout my tenancy, I experienced persistent maintenance problems and poor communication. My experience closely mirrored another resident's review stating that "nobody was ever on the same page about anything." I regularly had to communicate with multiple employees who failed to relay information to one another, making even routine maintenance requests unnecessarily difficult.
The buildings themselves also suffered from long-standing maintenance issues. The hallway air conditioning remained inoperable for years despite annual requests for repair. Each time I was told other projects had a higher priority, yet the issue was never resolved. Likewise, the entrance, lobby, and hallway lights remained burned out for months despite being reported multiple times.
During a unit transfer, I was mistakenly double-charged rent and had to fight to receive a refund. After moving into the new unit, I spent approximately six weeks dealing with a broken dishwasher, microwave, and washer/dryer because the apartment had not been properly inspected before move-in. I also discovered black mold inside the HVAC closet. In a previous apartment, I reported an air conditioner that failed to cool properly for nearly two years, only to be told repeatedly that it was "working as intended" until it eventually failed completely.
I repeatedly submitted work orders for broken blinds, but the requests were closed or downgraded without the repairs being completed. Management did not tell me they were waiting on replacement parts until about six months later, despite my repeated phone calls and emails. I was also billed an after-hours maintenance fee after reporting a fire sprinkler head hanging from the ceiling, even though maintenance determined the condition required immediate attention.
Toward the end of my tenancy, a persistent low-frequency booming vibration developed throughout the building, severely affecting my ability to sleep. Although management attempted to locate the source, the investigation was limited to my apartment and the basement, while the rooftop mechanical equipment--a common source of low-frequency building vibrations--was not initially inspected. The issue remained unresolved, and during one of my follow-up reports, I was yelled at by a member of the maintenance staff.
Although West End Circle and other Steve Brown properties have attractive buildings and good locations, I found that many maintenance issues remained unresolved for extended periods, and communication was consistently poor.
Because these conditions were significantly affecting my health, I submitted medical documentation supporting my disability and requested a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act. During a phone call, I was told management had approved a mutual lease termination, and I signed a lease elsewhere in reliance on that representation. The agreement was later withdrawn, and I was required to proceed through the standard re-rental process. I learned the hard way not to count on their word alone. Get every important agreement in writing before making major financial decisions.
After seven years as a resident, the cumulative effect of the unresolved maintenance issues, poor communication, and handling of my accommodation request took a significant toll on my health and family. Looking back, I regret staying as long as I did. I should have recognized sooner that my concerns were not being taken seriously or treated with the respect they deserved.
I hope this review helps prospective tenants make an informed decision. Every person's experience will differ, but this reflects mine after seven years living at Steve Brown Properties.
