There are so many negative reviews of Amador Lakes in ApartmentRatings.com and we took it with a grain of salt as we moved in. However, I'm finding myself in the same path as the other people who have moved here writing a review. You will get pulled in with the ambience and the wild life of the property enticing you to sign the rental agreement. Yes, I agree how cute the little ducks are and the ponds with the fish and how it feels like "a slice of heaven", posted 5/11/09. However, I actually find myself agreeing more with the postings and quotes in 1.) January 2008, "they will get you when you leave" 2.) 2003-2009, numerous postings regarding "you will never get back your deposit" 3.) complaints regarding unresponsive maintenance and things breaking down 4.) how Amador Lakes will "get every penny, nickel, and dime from you" 6.) 5/4/2003, "Management is a nightmare to deal with" 7.) 10/2009, "I feel like I am funding the apartment for the next tennant."

I definitely DISAGREE with the posting on 5/28/2009, "Great Place-Don't Listen to Negative Reviews." YOU SHOULD, IN FACT, LISTEN. You're probably just like me in the beginning and will take this review with doubt, you'll want to form your own intellectual opinion, and ignore the warning signs that a long list of people have posted. SO MANY PEOPLE CAN'T BE WRONG. HELLO... THERE IS A PATTERN HERE AND A HISTORY. SO MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN POSTED SO DON'T IGNORE THEM.

I have assessed the complaints and figured out the general pattern and paralleled that with our own experience. This is what you should expect: 1.) maintenance problems- the property is more than 20 years old and equipment have reached their lifetime service 2.) maintenance is slow to respond and do inadequate repairs then you'll have have to call them back 3.) management is lacking customer service skills and they are not customer service oriented (very many postings on this point) 4.) getting billed for something exorbitant upon move out.

They are remodelling some of the apartments that it makes one wonder why everyone is getting billed upon move out and feeling like "they are funding the next apartment." Folks, think about it, if Amador Lakes can bill everyone for their deposit and then some, multiply that by the number of units, plus the variability in lease length times, then it significantly increases their cash flow. In lean years, it would make up the difference for the unoccupied units and in good years, it would be a surplus. Their annual report would always look better than it should be.

I really have to advise this if you are going to move here or if you're already in a lease: 1.) Get yourself a lawyer and you're probably laughing now and thinking that's a bit exaggerated, but I say it with all honesty so you don't fall in the same path just like the rest of us. 2.) You will need to educate yourself regarding tenancy laws because if you don't know it, you basically don't have rights. 3.) Expect the possibility of your credit score getting ruined. 4.) Absolutely expect to be in court if you want to fight for what is right. 5.) Expect to be in contact with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org if you feel you have been wronged. I did my research and there was only 1 complaint filed vs. the massive amounts of postings here since 2003. Why the inequity between Apartment Ratings and the BBB - that only tells me that people are not informed where to formally file complaints in addition to this website. File with ApartmentRatings.com and www.bbb.org. Even consider going on TV on segments regarding consumer rights, for example Channel 7 News On Your Side. Also, get in touch with the Health Department for various issues with mice, other infestations, mold, and the amounts of animal fecal matter. Do you really think that ducks can tell the difference from a pool to a pond...

By the way, the property management who owns Amador Lakes is Rafanelli & Nahas Corporation in Orinda, CA. This is on public record so I can post this here. Amador Lakes will be vague, evasive, and skip around the question if you ask them who owns Amador Lakes. Don't expect Rafanelli & Nahas to be sympathetic to your issues. They are not like other companies who keep their businesses in line. Both have a predatory management style. As a matter of fact, you should avoid renting from any Rafanelli & Nahas owned properties altogether. You can find this information on www.bbb.org. If you were already docked once by Amador Lakes, then protect yourself and don't get docked twice and rent/own again on another Rafanelli and Nahas property. Keep that in mind!

For those of you who don't speak English, hey guess what, they provide interpreters in court. Please do not ever feel sorry for yourself because you can't express your thoughts and feelings in English. I think the opposite, you actually have more power than most Americans because you have the ability to speak more than one language. Always, take pride in that. If you feel you have been wronged by Amador Lakes, spread the injustice that has been done to you in your own language thru your community, events, newspaper, church, etc... In fact, feel free to publish this entire article word for word in any language. This is my press release and I'm giving you rights right now.

So back to the readers comtemplating whether to rent or not with Amador Lakes... If you don't want to take my advise, that is fine, but please do yourself a favor and don't sign the rental agreement with Amador Lakes. The cute ducks, fish, etc... is definitely not worth the hassle that you are going to encounter with management and maintenance. Save yourself the trouble. I ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT RECOMMEND AMADOR LAKES TO ANYONE. "Heed other's warnings", otherwise "you will regret it" (and yes, I am quoting once again from past postings). There are so many other choices and places to rent from in the Pleasanton, Dublin, and Livermore area.

...Now watch as a flurry of positive reviews will come after this article as management begs to have new tenants put in nice reviews or they will probably put in good reviews themselves to boost ratings just like in the past. HISTORY WILL REPEAT ITSELF... NOTHING HAS CHANGED SINCE 2003... SAME PROBLEMS, SAME MANAGEMENT... SAME UNSUSPECTING TENANTS TO BLINDSIDE EACH TIME.

This article is a compilation of my thoughts with the many who have come before me
AND LIKE I SAID BEFORE, SO MANY PEOPLE CAN'T BE WRONG.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 11/12/2009
Regarding the security deposit. Do not show them that you are an easy target, and if they see you as an easy target they will take every penny out of your pocket. For example, be present at the moving out inspection, and take pictures(show them that you are taking pictures). If they still deduct you from your security deposit get hold of the BBB, and fair housing. If everything fail file a lawsuit with the small claims court. You can sue them up to 7500 dollars. Ooh yes you can also sue them for your time that you spent also. Always try to get hold of the executive office, and write a letter to the executive office by asking your deposit before you proceed further.

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