LEGACY AT CRYSTAL LAKE APARTMENTS…read more
DO NOT RENT HERE--MONEY-HUNGRY SCAMMERS!
I lived at Legacy at Crystal Lake from October 3rd, 2022, to March 2nd, 2025, and if I could give this place zero stars, I would. This complex is run by greedy, dishonest management that will find any excuse to squeeze extra money out of you with hidden fees, shady policies, and constant rent hikes. Do yourself a favor and stay far away!
The Bait-and-Switch Nightmare
I originally signed a lease for a one-bedroom apartment online since I was moving from out of state. When I arrived, they gave me keys to the largest unit in the complex--not the one I signed up for. I assumed it was an upgrade, so I moved in. Three days later, they told me they gave me the wrong keys and that I was actually supposed to be in a completely different building. By then, my parents had left, and I had no one to help me move. Since I was in grad school and had no time to deal with it, I was forced to stay and pay the higher rent for an apartment I never even chose.
Trapped in a Lease with Nowhere to Go
When my lease was ending, they offered me a renewal "discount"--which was still an increase in rent. I asked if I could move into the unit I was originally supposed to be in, and suddenly they told me the renewal offer only applied if I stayed where I was. If I moved, I would be paying even more. They made it impossible for me to relocate without paying an outrageous price, so I was stuck again.
Pest Problems & the $700 Scam
During my second lease, I started finding bugs in my kitchen, even though I rarely cooked at home. I reported it multiple times, and their "solutions" never worked. Then, out of nowhere, they claimed they did an inspection while I was gone and found "evidence of bed bug activity." Funny, because I never had a single bite or saw any bed bugs myself.
This forced me to pay a $700 "treatment fee", and guess what? I kept finding the same bugs afterward, proving that there were never bed bugs to begin with! Their excuse? "It takes time to work." No, it was a blatant money grab.
Mandatory Trash Scam & Double Standards
Halfway through my lease, they forced residents into a mandatory trash collection program--something I never needed because I already took my own trash to the compactor. They dumped a trash can outside my door that I never used, and when I left it there, they charged me $50 for not bringing it inside.
Meanwhile, my neighbors would leave their trash cans out all day and night, and they never seemed to get fined. I didn't see them with notes on their doors or extra fees like I had to deal with. If they're going to enforce rules, they should at least be consistent--but of course, this place is only consistent in finding ways to rob tenants blind.
Constant, Unscheduled Inspections
At least every other month, management would schedule "inspections", often with less than 24 hours' notice. Sometimes, they wouldn't even show up at the scheduled time--they'd just slap another last-minute note on my door, forcing me to adjust my schedule for another random visit.
Final Insult - Month-to-Month Lease Scam & Hidden Move-Out Fees
For my final two months, I was on a month-to-month lease. I gave my notice to vacate in January, stating that February would be my last month. Management assured me that as long as I paid February's month-to-month fee, I could stay in the apartment until March 2nd.
I moved out February 21st to start a new job four hours away, but when I asked to return my keys early, they told me that would be "breaking my lease" and would result in extra fees. I had to leave my keys with a neighbor I trusted just to turn them in for me.
And what do you know? Even after moving out early, I was still charged for two days in February--days that were supposed to be included in my month-to-month rent since February is a short month. It's almost like they were waiting for an opportunity to tack on extra charges.
And of course, just as I predicted, I got hit with even more fees after moving out. I cleaned my apartment better than my friends who lived here, yet I was still charged a cleaning fee--while they weren't. This place will find any excuse to charge you more, no matter how well you follow the rules.
Final Verdict: STAY FAR AWAY
Legacy at Crystal Lake pretends to be a luxury community, but once you sign that lease, you're just a walking ATM for them. They prey on tenants, slap on hidden fees, and constantly raise rent without justification.
It looks beautiful when you're driving through, but it's all for show. Behind the pretty entrance, it's a nightmare of shady policies, terrible management, and endless fees.
1 star--only because 0 stars isn't an option.