Windsong Apartments: Nice Neighbors, but Serious Concerns About Management…read moreI lived on the second floor of the G Building at Windsong Apartments in Issaquah. The property was quiet, I felt safe, my neighbors were friendly, and Chris in maintenance was wonderful. Unfortunately, my experience with management was very different.
SEVERE ANT INFESTATION
At its worst, I was dealing with hundreds of thousands of ants (I'll spare you the pics). My deck was completely covered, with ants pouring over the sides. The infestation extended throughout my apartment. Ants crawled out of my printer when I printed documents, and I would pick up books to find ants crawling all over them. It was disgusting.
Management said they used an "eco-friendly" exterior treatment and repeatedly told me to wait two weeks for improvement. I stopped cooking in my kitchen, stored all food in sealed containers, and even placed unopened bags of chips inside additional containers. The infestation continued throughout my tenancy, declining to dozens near the end of ant season but never disappearing.
The property manager repeatedly insisted that "nobody else had complained." I later learned that neighbors had also reported severe infestations. This was particularly disappointing because she initially encouraged residents to report concerns, which influenced my decision to move there.
When I reported the ants, her demeanor changed noticeably. She became hostile, frequently interrupted me, and eventually hung up on me during a telephone conversation. I had expected an explanation of what management was doing to address the infestation, not hostility.
CONFUSING LEASING PRACTICES
My concerns about transparency began before I moved in. The property manager knew I could not move until the following month, yet when I arrived to sign my lease, it was prepared for immediate occupancy.
She told me I had to take possession within three days or risk losing the apartment. I reluctantly agreed after she offered an unsolicited $1,100 concession to offset the additional rent. I later discovered numerous vacant apartments, making the claimed urgency difficult to understand. That concession eventually had to be repaid when I terminated my lease early.
FRUSTRATING EARLY TERMINATION
The property manager repeatedly jumped between subjects, discussing notice requirements, termination fees, rent, deposits, and concessions without explaining how they fit together.
I did not understand that the termination fee of two and a half months' rent and the additional rent during the notice period were separate obligations. I had repeatedly requested the TOTAL FINAL AMOUNT DUE. She refused to provide me it in writing and told me to go read my lease.
When I first tried to give notice, she insisted I reconsider over the weekend. When I returned with written notice, she said she "didn't have time for that today." She told me she would enter an amount into the resident portal and could not accept my notice until it was paid. I left my notice on her desk and emailed it afterward to ensure I had proof of submission.
I also asked whether the apartment could be rented to another resident after I moved out. She told me no, explaining that she wanted to rent the other vacant apartments first.
The manager entered $5,637.50 into my payment portal. Based on our conversations, during which I repeatedly requested the total final amount due, I believed that payment included both the termination fee and partial month of final rent.
Only after paying did I learn that was fees only. I ultimately paid every assessed charge, including the final $300 balance, but the confusing and contradictory explanations were deeply frustrating.
EXCESSIVE FEES
I also believe renters should question the numerous additional charges for parking, pets, garbage, utilities, and other expenses. Many of these costs were traditionally included in rent.
In my opinion, separating housing expenses into "fees" is a way around the intent of rent-increase protections. Renters should encourage legislators to address unnecessary junk fees and require greater transparency.
MY ADVICE
Carefully review every charge before signing a lease. Get written explanations of concessions, termination provisions, and total financial obligations.
If a property manager leaves you confused rather than answering direct questions, keep looking. There are managers willing to explain everything transparently.
Windsong has genuine positives. It is quiet, I felt safe, and the neighbors and maintenance staff were great. Unfortunately, the severe ant infestation and my experience with management overshadowed them.
