The unit I stayed was great. Location is in closed distance to everything. The best feature is the kitchen, it's so large; I visited many apartments in this area, and this kitchen is the largest of the bunch, featuring large counter top for putting a big microwave, mini-toaster, rice-cooker, 2 dish-racks and still a large left over space for preparing to cook. Large walk-in closet; it has a sash to divide from the living space, and still big enough to put my twin size bed and my own dresser.
The reason I give low rating is some issue I had with the landlords when moving out. The issue resolved at the end, but people should keep in mind of their legal rights to avoid the weeks of drama as described below.
I gave them $200 refundable deposit for the damage/security/cleaning when moving in. I made some complaints of conditions like carpet is not clean, wall not painted, and there was thick dust on window sills, heater and blinds.
They did send people over to make some improvements, but I found something wasn't done well and I made phone calls to them. Their responses were like if I wasn't satisfied, I could clean it myself. I didn't care that much for the un-perfect jobs, since more phone calls of complaints were useless at that point. I was too naive that I didn't write down the conditions in documents and let it go.
When I moved out, I followed the list of cleaning items they provided me. I was confident that I cleaned much better than when I moved in, so I expected my full deposit back.
I tried making arrangements with them to meet so I could show them my room and gave them the keys before leaving, but they couldn't make it, so I left without the managers being present and left the key to the drop box as they instructed me.
3 weeks later I received the condition report that the janitors needed to do the same work I did all over again and deducted $75 from that refundable $200 deposit, and I felt like I was accused to be a filthy tenant.
Here was where the several weeks of drama started. I responded and questioned their $75 deduction. Their statement was that although I cleaned it when moving out, there is still room for improvements.
I replied that anybody can say there is room for improvements, but I did not know their standards, and they did not provide me the proof that I was filthy enough to pay the janitors to clean for 3 hours.
They argued back that since I signed the lease, I agreed their cleaning conditions (or standards, although not specified) when moving in. They did not receive my complaints in written format and they did not remember our phone conversations about them. So if I don't meet their cleaning standards when moving out, they need to pay the janitors using my deposit.
I went to the student legal service in UW and learned about the act RCW 59.18.260, saying that NO DEPOSIT MAY BE COLLECTED BY THE LANDLORD UNLESS THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CHECKLIST WERE SINGED AND DATED BY LANDLORD AND TENANT.
They did not provide any document like this, and when I show this Act to them, they still continued to blame me NOT MEETING THEIR CLEANING STANDARDS (at that time it sounded like being said by dictators for me), where there was ALSO NO WRITTEN RECORDS STATING THOSE WITH BOTH OUR SIGNATURES.
The arguments like these carried on for several weeks that I even suggested to meet in small claims court. Finally, they realized some other situations and agreed to refund the rest of my deposit. I full-heartedly wish that they will improve this part so that other tenants won't get hurt like this.
I learned the lesson. The lease might be different now, but if there isn't cleaning fee, make sure you request the terms and conditions checklist for both move in/move out signed and dated by you and the landlord, and request the landlord to provide the photocopy of such documents; this is the basic tenants right! Make notes of all conditions of the unit when you move in. Move out with the manager(s) agreeing with you that the apartment is clean, instead of waiting for 2 weeks or more finding out they deduct your deposit without any proof.
If you cover that, your overall apartment stay would be really enjoyable. read more