This is going to be a multipart series. It will eventually focus on scams and what kind of things people can fall for.
Today, I am going to rant, complain and really put down a specific company: “Avalon Communities”. They won property management company of the year in 2007. In all honesty, I live in a quiet, relaxing apartment. I do not hear my neighbors at all. It’s a great place. However, if I have something broken, or have a question, that is a whole other ballgame. Stopping before I get too far, this is not the point of this post. This post is about GREED.
When I first moved here, the prices were just raised by a couple of hundred. Right away, that should have been a red flag. I questioned them and they offered me a free months rent. That was great, an extra month to save money! My greed got the best of me and I signed a lease. I did not want to feel stuck here for too long, so I signed a short lease. I paid a bit more per month, but I knew I wouldn’t be permanently stuck. I fell in love with my apartment, it’s close to work, close to local shops and away from most people. Did I mention quiet?
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end…but it should not have been so soon! My apartment complex is now considered a “luxury” apartment complex. This week, almost my entire floor received a personally delivered notice. Effectively, once your lease expires, your rent will be increasing by at least $200, some people (like me), $400. The letter was essentially: “Thank you, now fuck you.” (Slapshot reference). I thought, wow, the prices in the area must have skyrocketed! I look at rent listings in my area, but they are still well below my apartment. What gives? Apparently, this entire building has no vacancies! What better way of generating income by raising rent on apartments people call home.
As of last night, I’ve been packing and finding a new place to move to. I can honestly say, it was time not well spent*.
*For lawyers: Avalon’s motto is time well spent, my line was “time not well spent”….