Updating my review. I moved out a few months ago…read more The deposit charges were a bit on the high side, in my opinion: -They withheld $90 for misc. cleaning charges (after we spent hours cleaning the apartment.) -They withheld $28 to replace the drip pans. (more than market price) -They withheld $114.50 for carpet cleaning - probably illegal (see Elyse De Stefano v. Apts. Downtown page 13) -They also charged $75 to repair a countertop that I burned. It was my fault and I'm not really complaining, but Karen previously told me that she thought she could get it repaired for a lower cost. So about $300 out of the deposit for a 4br...probably decent for IC, but I thought it could have been cheaper. Here's why I'm still willing to give them a 5 star rating: -They were extremely friendly, helpful and professional throughout the lease. -Maintenance response was usually only a few hours for minor stuff. They care about the quality of the property, and , e.g., responded immediately when I noticed a leak in the laundry room. -Halfway through the lease one roommate went broke and announced that he was going to break the lease and not pay any more. Another roommate had to move out for personal reasons. Karen helped us to deal with subletting 2 rooms and eventually helped us negotiate a deal with the first roommate so we didn't have to take him to court over the rent. -Even after we've moved out, Rae-Matt still forwards mail. None of my previous landlords have done that for any length of time. -They never once charged a late fee even though we were late multiple times on rent. -Tons of other minor things throughout the year that I've forgotten by now. I'm still slightly bummed about the deposit, but I didn't really push it too much with Rae-Matt because I felt that they exceeded my expectations in so many other areas. I would definitely rent again.

I lived in your apartments for 3 years and had a great experience! Landlords were very responsive,…read moreit was a safe area, and I had the best neighbors. Thank you!!

UPDATE: 8/17/26 Your reaction Bob Bender was expected!…read more 1. Nothing changes the fact that the problem started with improper ventilation in the attic which you were made aware of causing the water damage in 2025 and now 2026. Painting the ceiling stains with water block in 2025 was not going to fix the problem! You have the photos and can see the difference in the damage between 2025 and 2026. Nothing would have changed had I painted the ceiling stains with water block paint, which you even said it's something I could do myself! Again, you are the one who suggested painting the ceiling to hide the stains with water block paint- so the damage must have seemed trivial to both you and the board member! 2. Perhaps if you possessed an ounce of concern for residents, you might have stopped by and checked out the damage or gone into the attic to see for yourself, since you are after all the Association property manager! Just saying! 3. The attic, one might assume, is now loaded with black mold, NOT because I didn't take care of it in 2025 but because you and the board member didn't care to take care of it in 2025. You have the photos!! 4. I hope to hear from you on Tuesday since you could not find the time to call me on Monday (today) but sent an email! Finally, I want the Association to do the right thing! I will wait until Tuesday. Again best time tomorrow is between 11am and 1pm. PS: since you read my comments on Zelp and said not to respond to your email today and did not have time to call me, I assume Zelp is your preferred way to communicate !

One of the best property management I have ever worked with. Rob is great at what he does and he…read morewas always a phone call away. Benton villa apartments are really nice, clean, safe and convenient. I enjoyed living in Benton Villa. I recommend this property management.

Finally, after 4 years of living in Iowa City, I found a property management company that actually…read moredoes their job! Cindy and Gary Parsons are an awesome married couple who own some really great properties around town. They're responsive, efficient, and overall cool people! It's really comforting knowing that if anything goes wrong, they actually will take care of it. Ex: My toilet was overflowing, and after going out to get a plunger and it still not going down, I reluctantly called Gary. This was extremely embarassing, but he handled it professionally and we even joked that it was a "CRAPPY situation!" Har har har... Cindy and Gary are great people. If you have the chance to live at their properties, consider yourself blessed, and get away from the rest of the shady landlords in this town. PARSONS RULES!

Gary Klinefelter is the Donald Trump of landlords. He makes it seem like he's on your side as long…read moreas you're stroking his ego. But once you question him, he'll be out to make your life hell. Beware. Interesting how they have a 5 star rating on yelp but 2 of 3 people rated them 3 stars or less. Hmm, buying likes, sounds just like Trump.

Maintenance requests don't matter unless they decide to prioritize it. It is impossible to reach…read moreanyone helpful when the office isn't open (and arguably when it is, too). Absolutely abysmal experience living with them, and if you do, be prepared to be left on your own if something goes wrong on their property!!! What an awful time renting from them, I recommend you rent from ANYWHERE else possible.

My girlfriend spent the last week of her lease cleaning her apartment and left it immaculate. They…read morestill gave her a fraction of her deposit back and listed frivolous charges for cleaning and repairs. After many months of back and forth emails and complaints ~20 emails. They finally agreed to give her back some of the deposit back and then sent a check for half the amount agreed on in the emails. 0 stars would not recommend.

I would not wish them upon my worst enemy. They will turn your life into a nightmare for the…read moreduration of the lease and beyond. There "free" internet does not exist. It goes out constantly and xwires, who is the provider, never returns your calls. I have not had it for a month, although they claim that the technician will get in touch with me in 24 hours. That was a month ago. I tried calling back 4 times with the same outcome. Still waiting. The office tries to penny and dime you at every convenience. The lady who answers the phone once told me that she would rather email me the lease instead of sending it by mail, so that she could save the stamp. They cashed my check for the application fee and then claimed I never paid. I had to go to the bank and get a print out showing the cashed check to convince them. Once i placed a maintenance call and they wrote down the wrong address and never showed. When we called back they said that they went to the place and there was nothing wrong. The onsite manager does not know anything and just tells you to call the office. The bottom line is that they are only nice until you sign the lease and then be prepared to have to wait for any services for weeks or months. The lady in the office is extremely patronizing and calls you hon.

Don't sign lease with this company!!!!!!!!!!!! Like everyone else said, this cheap company would…read moretry their best to deduct money from your pocket. We cleaned the house three days and it's cleaner than we moved in and now we are told that we are charged about thousand dollars for apt and carpet cleaning (I really want to see how clean it is after they cleaned up). The old white hair front desk woman with glass on is so rude and no any patient .don't expecting she would look at you when you are talking to her .never seen a proper company would have a front desk lady don't know manners. I don't know how can she stay in that company such long time??? What a jerk!

The management is very kind, but they don't really know what they're doing and are pretty lazy…read more I've asked for maintenance to come to my apartment for the same issue (and then the issues have been accumulating) and they have promised each time to come during that week. I called 2 months ago and none of these issues have been resolved, even after my follow-ups. Also, they don't maintain their buildings very well. Before I signed my lease they said that they have a security guard and cleaning service that comes every week. NOPE. There have been break-ins, homeless people sleeping on the property, and it's absolutely filthy.

Horrible horrible company to rent from. Do not answer calls texts emails. Had to call the City…read moretwice to get maintenance requests taken care of. Some apartments struggling with roaches for over a year. Get email saying Orkin is coming, we need to be out of appt for 4 hours, BUT DONT TELL US WHEN. Its crazy working with these people.

Here we're In Canyon, Texas apartments with no hot water for 3 weeks now. A week ago the water was…read moreblue/green. And when you go to contact them no reply on the weekends. The woman In the office make 2x more than a man work 50+ 60+ hours a week yet no one Is around on weekends to reply back to dozens of people's hot water not working. I hate living here. Took them a month to even give me the right laundry room key. They were to lazy to come to canyon to see If the keys worked for 3 dozen + people.

We've lived here for four years and at first maintenance requests were handled promptly. A couple…read moreof months ago our a/c went out and it took 4 weeks (during the hottest part of the summer) to get the repairs completed. Two weeks later and they still haven't come to get standing units that were supposed to cool our townhome until repairs were complete. Two of them never worked. Communication was absolutely terrible!

I would not recommend renting a property managed by Watts group if your rent is less than $2000 a…read moremonth. Very poor customer service and management. They state in the lease that they clean public areas, but in over 2 years, the stairwells, hallways on 400 1st Ave were filthy. Never cleaned. They are quick to ask for rent but should you have an issue such as AC not working, broken hot water heater, or leaks, they do not care. Be ware if you're moving into a unit with carpet. Some units were flooded but the management did nothing about it. They may likely have mold. When I finally decided to move out, about 10 tenants were moving as well (not students). This is a big red flag..... My apartment became the show room, yet there were over 10 units available for rent.

I have lived in a Watts Group rental for 3 years and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. They are…read moreamazing people who care about good tenants and respond to maintenance requests in a timely manner. Their office staff are friendly and very customer service oriented. As a senior citizen I appreciate all that they do

Terri has provided great service and advice you can rely on. Her years of experience has been a…read morebenefit to me and countless others.

I am sorry to have to put up this scathing review This…read morerealtor recently took advantage of a grieving Iowa City widow she was pressured to sell her house TO a subsidiary of the realtor for a low ball price so they could flip it!! They are defending the scoundrels on their staff and refusing to negotiate sticking to a "contract" they gave her which only benefits them Absolutely shameful