I lived in an apartment at a Westview Property downtown Bellingham for a month before moving out due to the level of noise in and surrounding the building, and had $750 deducted from my deposit despite ZERO damage or wear to the apartment (and having it professionally cleaned before leaving), and continuing to pay rent for the duration of my lease.
The first most important issue is the unbearable noise levels both inside and outside the building; I had a water-facing apartment, which initially seemed great, but ended up being so nerve-wracking because of constant noise I had to move out.
The noise ranges from blaring, extended horn blasts from trains passing by no less than 5 times a night at all hours of the night, constant construction noise (including incessant beep-beep-beeps from trucks backing up) from 7am-7pm 6 days a week from the waterfront development (which will be ongoing through 2019), amplified music from bands playing across the street at the Market every Saturday throughout the summer, loud DJ music from private parties at the Depot until as late as 2am, and drunk students yelling and carousing at an outdoor bar directly downstairs from the building from 6pm-11:30pm.
Inside the building, tenants blast music on a high-bass surround-sound stereo systems, and neither the walls, flooring or windows muffle sound. I could hear conversations my neighbors were having, along with other unmentionable things they were doing, every night.
The second big issue is the lease; it is wildly complicated and a lesson in why you should have an attorney review all contracts before signing - there are tons of hidden fees and unreasonable costs buried in the text of the multi-page agreement - and you will get money deducted from your lease no matter how untouched you leave your rental. I was in my apartment a total of 4 weeks and left the place immaculate, and was still charged a cleaning fee, plus fees for things like 1 roll of toilet paper I had left as a courtesy in the bathroom.
The management is staffed by people who don't seem to want to take the time to explain any of their policies; when I asked to have a move-out inspection done by my parents, who were co-signers on the lease, they made an appointment, then, told my elderly parents that they "forgot" the appointment when they showed up, and that they were not allowed keys or able to enter the apartment anyway even though they co-signed the lease. This was not mentioned at any point, or when I set up the walk through appointment. The staff also became terse, difficult and argumentative when my parents tried to ask them questions, so they ended up leaving feeling defeated and like they were treated poorly.
The apartment also had a bad, onion-y odor, my previously clear skin broke out shortly after moving in, and cleared up soon after I moved out.
All in all, after 25 years of renting apartments in cities large and small, this was one of the worst living experiences I've ever had, and despite appearances, the way this company treats people and gets their money - taking advantage of a high-cost rental market - is shameful. I would not recommend these apartments to anyone looking for a reasonably comfortable and quiet place to live. read more