I am writing this review to share my experience and to encourage prospective renters to ask…read moredetailed questions and get repair commitments in writing before signing a lease.
On May 16, I toured a one-story home on Keith Street in Apex. I chose it because I have a daughter who uses a wheelchair, and moving from a two-story, 2,400-square-foot home in Fuquay to a smaller 1,300-square-foot one-story home seemed like a more accessible option for our family. Although the new home did not have a garage and required significant downsizing, the rent was comparable to my previous home, so I decided to move forward.
Shortly after the tour, I was told that I needed to submit my deposit quickly because the agent I had been working with would be away for two weeks. Before I committed, I was assured that several necessary repairs and cleaning issues would be completed before move-in. These included sealing the attic access, removing items from and cleaning the attic, addressing an open window space, cleaning mold from the refrigerator, sealing the exterior door and dryer vent area, clearing exterior drainage, and addressing other maintenance concerns.
I spent that time preparing for a major move, caring for and homeschooling my children, maintaining the yard, packing, and selling many of our belongings to fit into a much smaller home. However, one week before the scheduled move, NONE of the promised work had still not been completed. I raised my concerns, especially because the air conditioning had been turned off for an extended period and the property did not appear ready for occupancy.
When I spoke with the agent after she returned, the conversation was extremely upsetting. Rather than helping address the accessibility and move-in concerns, I was told that if I had a disabled daughter, I should find another house, that I should get a house with a garage, and that I should pay a termination fee and move elsewhere. This interaction was deeply distressing to my family and made my daughter cry.
By that point, I had already finalized my move and my previous home had been rented to someone else. On move-in day, only limited work appeared to have been done. I was asked to delay moving in by a day, and I turned on the electricity at the property after being told I would be reimbursed. Despite this, I moved into a home that still did not feel properly cleaned or move-in ready.
Since moving in, there have been repeated visits from maintenance workers, the air-conditioning system has run for long periods without cooling the home properly, and the attic has still not cleared or cleaned. I still have belongings at a friend's house because I cannot use that space as expected. I have also been trying for over a month to have the fee for the delayed move-in day removed and to receive reimbursement for the electricity, but I have not received a resolution or response.
I was also very concerned to receive a utility bill that was approximately 90% higher than the bill for my previous, much larger two-story home. Given the continuing air-conditioning concerns, this has created additional stress and expense.
I have rented for 16 years and have worked with several professional property-management companies. In my experience, when repairs were needed, they were addressed promptly and communication was respectful. Unfortunately, that has not been my experience here. I hope the company will take these concerns seriously, improve its communication and move-in standards, and provide a timely resolution for the outstanding reimbursement and charges.