This was by far the worst experience I have ever had with an apartment building. We should have run for the hills from the beginning, but stupidly chose location over a happy living environment.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS: This was a nightmare. We went to look at the building and loved the location and floor plan. We were told that since we wouldn't be moving in for a few months, we could have the model unit. We loved the way it was decorated, so we agreed. We went to fill out the application, but the leasing agent couldn't figure out how to work the system, so we were told to fill out a paper application. We left the application fee and went on our way. The conveniently waited until they knew I had traveled back to SC to call and say that our application had been denied. We were shocked, seeing as how we both had phenomenal credit, wonderful renters history, substantial liquid assets, and a superfluous amount of free cash flow. We were told that they were keeping our $400 application fee but that we could not live there. Upon further investigation, we found out that we were not being permitted to live there because of a generic traffic ticket from five years ago. When we provided them documents stating that it was in fact a traffic ticket and not criminal, we were met with another issue. The property manager sent me an email saying that NOW we couldn't live there because I was finishing out my last year in college, so I was a "liability" due to my young age. FAIR HOUSING VIOLATION NUMBER 1! Age is a protected class in DC. When I brought this to their attention, the reluctantly allowed us to live there. However, we were told that we couldn't have the model unit. Why? They never provided a reason. However, we later found out that that was the entire reason they tried to deny our application. They shooed us to a less favorable unit with a higher rent and refused to match the price. Due to the hassle we had already been through, we agreed. We were told that we would be allowed to move into the model unit if they had leased out the building by the time we moved in. Well guess what, that was also a lie. They leased it to someone else 2 weeks later.
The property manager that was present when we first moved in was not licensed, and was extremely rude.
THE LEASE: The lease was absurd!!! There were sections that directly stated that if we were to talk badly about the building or about the staff, we would be promptly evicted. Also, if you were residing as joint tenants, there was another section that stated if one person were to die, the other person must pay the remainder of the lease and move out.
TERRIBLE MANAGEMENT: This bullring cycles through property managers like it's no ones business. All of them are absolutely terrible. For example, one Sunday morning at about 9 AM I walked into the lobby to find POOLS of blood everywhere. It truly looked like a murder scene. A resident had slashed a guest with a wine bottle and it was a horrific sight. Another time, a deranged man who was behind a series of break ins broke into our lobby, stayed for roughly 3 hours, rearranged the place, and then left. Management decided not to inform the residents of the break in. The wanna be property manager, Robin, is quite possibly the nastiest person I have ever had the misfortune of dealing with. If she were to roll her eyes any farther back into her head they would likely get stuck. She constantly lost packages, refused to do her job, and would leave so much work for the night time concierge. Not to mention, if you asked her a simple question she would roll her eyes, make a condescending remark, and do absolutely nothing. It got to the point where multiple residents in the building requested for her to be removed. LET IT BE SAID: the concierges (other than Robin) are absolutely delightful! They are kind and welcoming, and I have nothing but nice things to say about them.
LOGISTICS: If you have a car, good luck! The garage is blocked just about every time you want to go anywhere. People use the back ally as their personal parking lot, so it was always a disaster. Lay-Z-Boy parks in the buildings garage (which is only 17 spots) and frequently hit other cars without so much as a note.
MOVING OUT: As if this place could get any worse. A new management company, Borger, took over shortly after we moved in. They assume since you live there, you must follow THEIR lease, not the one you actually signed. When we put in our notice, we were informed that they would not pro-rate and would be bringing in random strangers without notice, and to "keep it tidy." We have a dog, and were not willing to take that liability. They were so entitled and argued repeatedly about their right to bring random strangers, who could injure our dog, steal our possessions, or otherwise disturb our living environment.
This palce is the worst place you could live in DC. Please don't subject yourself to this. read more