Honest Review of Villa del Mar Apartments
I rarely leave reviews, but this one needs to be shared. In September 2024, I signed a lease for a studio at Villa del Mar mainly because of the price and location. From the start, the office staff didn't seem very friendly, but I brushed it off and appreciated how quick and easy the leasing process was.
Move-in day came a month later, and things went downhill immediately. They never show you the actual unit you'll be renting--just a "model"--which looked clean and fresh. But the unit I moved into smelled musty and mildewy. I also found several dead German cockroaches, and a large hole in the A/C handler area that I ended up sealing myself just to keep more pests out. The wallpaper looked like it had been painted over, with bubbles everywhere. I'm not usually a complainer, so I fixed what I could and tried to move on.
Then came the first electric bill--outrageously high. The A/C units are extremely old, and clearly inefficient, but I knew mentioning it wouldn't lead to any improvements.
The valet trash service, which you're required to pay for, is terrible. Residents leave trash out all night, attracting animals. Management sends reminders but never enforces anything. One night someone moved my trash bag next to an abandoned car in front of my apartment, and I was the one who got threatened for it. Speaking of that abandoned car: it sat right in front of my door for months with a flat tire, and despite my repeated complaints, management did absolutely nothing.
Move-out day couldn't come fast enough. While packing, I found signs of more German cockroaches inside my electronics--disgusting. The building clearly has a serious pest issue. After inspection, I thankfully got my full deposit back... but actually receiving the check was another nightmare. They claimed it got "lost in the mail" twice. It took 75 days and me filing a small-claims notice before they finally sent my money.
Overall, I would not recommend this place to anyone. Stay away. The complex has potential, and I will say they offer community activities and communicate regularly with residents. But the owners seem to do the bare minimum to keep units rented. They need to repave the parking areas, update the HVAC systems, address the pest problems, and get the musty smell under control.
I hope this review helps anyone considering moving here. Writing this was worth it if it saves someone else the frustration. read more