This review is specific to the Missoula property Orchard Gardens, but Tamarack in Billings also will not help tenants experiencing issues with the Missoula staff.
Update December 2024: DO NOT RENT FROM THEM!!!
I stand by my previous review after having rented from them for almost 3 years. Due to the rental market in Missoula, this was the only place we could afford during that time. They do not do maintenance on these apartments when there is a problem, a simple drive around the property and you would see the buildings are in disrepair. Screens are gone or falling off, paint is peeling, exterior window trims are dangling by a single nail. Even the central courtyard looks sketchy. The interior is not much better, we had outstanding maintenance requests that were never repaired from our move-in inspection. We lived there one month shy of three years before we left. In the time we lived there, we went through at least 5 property managers. The office staff was always changing and even though they posted the hours, and significantly reduced them, no one was ever in the office if you needed them. I was told that I would be evicted Dec 2023 because I did not complete my recertification, but it wasn't due until April 2024 and I hadn't been able to schedule a meeting with them for the recertification. I paid my rent on time, drove it to the office each time, which since the office was always closed resulted in placing it in a drop box outside the building even during office hours. They were quick to send letters stating that they would evict you and when you would finally get a hold of them, they would say they didn't know what letter you were referring to and that they weren't pursuing eviction. I had a VA case manager that was helping me and they would say one thing to me and another to her. Finally, she told them to knock it off since she was sent the same paperwork and also was notified when the rent was paid. The mental load and stress they give you was exhausting. When they finally started doing the unit inspections, the person that went with the property manager had said I was violating the law by having a ring doorbell; I had permission for all the modifications made to my unit, none of which were illegal or permanent. The guy then went around telling all my neighbors that I was breaking the law. It was all caught on my video doorbell and baby cameras in my unit. When I brought it up with tamarack, the PM told me it was nothing and that if I wanted I could file a complaint. I had to reach out to Billings to do so and then nothing was done about it. They also violated my privacy when inspecting my unit by opening closets and storage areas that have nothing to do with the wellbeing of the unit. My wardrobe and underwear are none of their business. Because I took such great care of my unit (as told during the inspections when present and on camera when absent), I was subject to extra inspections for them to show the owners and higher-ups that the units were being taken care of.
Originally from March 2021:
This property management is unorganized, undependable, and incompetent. I applied to the waitlist and waited almost two years for the property I was interested to have an availability. I paid the deposit when I applied and completed all the required paperwork. Two years later, I am notified of an opening, update all the required paperwork promptly, and state that I would like the apartment. They go through "checking my file" multiple times (each time they find something else I need to complete) and call me nearly every day, sometimes in upwards of 5 times in a day. The apartment I am waiting for is in repairs for over 3 months and my applicant file took 4 months to get right before they sent it to compliance. Mind you, all the paperwork was submitted promptly (usually within hours) when it was requested. I asked if my file was complete with the exception of my move voucher and was told yes. I wanted to be sure it would move quickly once I received my voucher since they are time limited. I gave them my voucher and request for tenancy approval the day I received them and it took them a month to return it to the housing authority. I received an email stating I would need to pay my deferred application fee when I moved in, to which I replied with the specific check/date/bank information of the payment I already made for it. Also, I was given a tentative move in date of the first week of the month. So I gave my 30 day notice to my current landlord for the middle of the month. I am now about a week away from my move in date and still haven't even been able to see the apartment, due to repairs. I called and emailed asking if it would be done it time for my move and they haven't returned my call or email.
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