You may want to seriously think twice before renting at the Village at Elliott Square or any property managed by SMI. If you do, you better do a complete walk through and mark every stain, paint damage, etc. Photograph and document both on your way in and your way out. If you can do video even better. Prior to renting from SMI at Village Square I have excellent rental history leaving the property I rented in excellent condition. When I moved into the apartment the carpet was clearly old and the Manager even commented that she hoped it was okay. The carpet had some stains on it and was pulling away from the walls. After moving out I followed their guidelines on cleaning and was told I was not getting my deposit back because the carpet was soaked with pet and human urine and that the stove and fridge were dirty. They were not left dirty. I have never had a pet that urinated on carpet nor do I go around urinating on carpet. Thank goodness I photographed the topside of the carpet. They photographed the underside of the carpet and padding that showed every stain made by all the tenants over the years before me and stated I was responsible for all the staining and replacement of the carpet. I had to obtain an attorney and may have to go to court to get my deposit back. The manager there was very friendly and sweet in the beginning but once I gave notice to move out she became rude, cold, and unfriendly. You cannot trust the manager in regards to cleaning. Demand she do a walk through with you upon moving out. I completely cleaned the apartment with the exception of the kitchen floor because I was so tired I forgot. I was charged for leaving the kitchen floor dirty and the oven dirty $80. The picture of the oven they supplied me with I showed to my attorney and other individuals and they all said it looked clean as it did to me too. So I basically was charged $80 to mop a kitchen floor. Photograph the inside and outside of all appliances, rooms, windows, etc. They will try to screw you out of your deposit. I have since spoken to several individuals who have rented from SMI who also had to go to court to get their deposit back. The attorney stated it is common practice because they hope you won't fight it and they just keep your deposit. Thank goodness I took photographs of the carpet. I did not of the stove but SMI did give me a copy of what they felt was dirty and that my previous landlord of six years who was stunned to hear my plight has written a letter on my behalf and will testify in court if it goes that far. I also want to note the floors and walls are extremely thin to the point you can hear your neighbor's conversations and other intimate moments in the middle of the night. One night my son was crying because he was in pain and the next day I received a notice on my door for excessive noise. This is not a friendly environment to live in from the top of the owners who run SMI down to the manger who manages The Village at Elliott Square. If you can keeping looking do not rent from SMI or at The Village At Elliott Square. If you are looking for a rental try another agency, private owner, or real estate office. DON'T RENT HERE OR FROM SMI. read more

It's hard to avoid this property management company since they manage so many properties in Salem but if you can avoid renting from them then DO IT. If you must then for sure take pictures of the condition of the place right when you move in as well as when you move out. I was required to fill out a form and sign it when I moved into the duplex/townhouse I rented where I had to note everything that was wrong with the place before I moved in. I specifically wrote down that there was damage to the carpet down stairs by a bedroom doorway (every time the door was opened it would pull up the carpet so it was starting to separate from the wall). I lived there about three years and as time progressed the carpet situation got worse and worse. They did a yearly inspection and at all three inspections I pointed out the carpet issue and how it was slowly turning into a big problem, I made a point to do this since it was an issue before I moved in and they had done nothing to repair it and unless I quit opening the bedroom door it was going to keep progressing and I had no control over that. I was told by the lady who did all three inspections not to worry about it and she acted like it was no big deal. I always paid my rent on time and was a great renter. When I decided to move I made a point to clean the place very well and basically left it move in ready for the next renters. I did take pictures before I moved out and they clearly showed the townhouse was left in very good shape. I waited to receive my deposit back but instead was told I owed Shelter Management $1400 for carpet repair and "leaving it messy". I was shocked. I refused to pay for the carpet issue and went to their office in Keizer and showed them the copy of what I had written when I moved in about the damaged carpet as well as the pictures I took. They were rude and refused to even talk to me about it. So I lost my entire deposit and they even went after me with a collections company, which affected my credit. And it also made me have bad rental history when I had never been a day late with rent even once for all those years. My best friend also had horrible issues with this company as well. So if possible go with any other rental company that you can besides this one. read more

This is a "Let's go Brandon" company. They allow blatant racism against Hispanic tenants and employees. As long as you're freinds with Derick Mosman/Gabe Johansen you can be racist to whoever you want. The reviews speak for themselves when it comes to this company. Inspections aren't done properly, office staff is rude when called and approached, city codes are skipped during inspections leaving units unsafe. When talking to Cheryl about the issues of the rental I was instructed rudely that she had been doing this for 22 years and that she thinks she knows what she's doing yet, there we were having that conversation lol she's someone that says I don't appreciate your tone that you're having with me when they know they're wrong. Landlord Specials are a daily occurrence with turns. Rental prices are somewhat fitting given the condition most of these units are rented out in all honesty, so do with that what you will. When visiting the office the maintenance manager doesn't wear an actual mask because his freedumbs mean more to him then the safety of the others in the building and tenants. Office smells like someone smoke a carton of cigarettes constantly. If you don't want to believe me just check allll the other reviews. You can put lipstick on a pig but it's still Shelter Management Group. This is from my personal experience with the company from freinds renting from them and personally being a tenant of theirs. Fun fact about my employment is Michael Emerling turned into such a big baby when he was confronted with his terrible management skills that he started throwing a tantrum, not letting me get my items out of the vehicle until threatened by police. Then he tried to punk me and said I couldn't keep my things under the awning in the rain and would have to find my own way home, when he told me to put my stuff out in the rain and to get away from the building I let him know he could call the cops and make me move. Obviously he's just full of hot air and no police showed up lololol if you would have guessed by now this is the same guy that wasn't wearing his mask properly while working. Poor emotional skills, Gay for Trump and low intelligence go hand in hand. read more

By midnight tomorrow I will be Salem/Keizers newest homeless veteran for a balance of $300. Got to grant SMI that they did give me some notice but also that I assured them they would have the past due money in two days. Wasn't good enough for them. They are also joining the Portland area in the over inflation of rent. Also can be very slow to fix stuff. Also I'm the only former firefighter/EMT in an elderly community and they are still letting me go for money I could give them today. read more

SMI employees entered my apartment that I used to occupy while I was hospitalized and stole almost everything that I owned. Disgusting!!!! read more