I'm not sure what they're thinking down in the leasing office. In the course of your research of this building you'll surely note that the reviews below denote that there has been a recent change in management. Funny thing is that I thought it might be a good thing. While old management wasn't bad, they just didn't do much beyond the basics - like make sure our work orders were filled, making sure no one took my parking spot and that the common areas were clean.

It's been 3 months under the new regime. While I attributed the initial failures to teething problems they are surely something more serious than that. Just a couple of stories from my last three months.

First, parking is horrendous. If you're a new resident you'll probably have no problem because they'll assign you a proper parking spot but they have done nothing to help out those long standing current residents. People are constantly parked in my parking spot. I have addressed management multiple times on the issue and most of the time all I get is a half hearted I'm sorry. In fact there have been times when I have been told to wait while the leasing agent/community managers are on a break chatting with one another - instead of taking care of issues. They've been telling us of a parking audit for the last 3 months to get it all sorted away. Yet, nothing has happened, I see random cars parked in random spots all the time - I know of at least 3 apartments taking up twice their alloted parking.

Second, we've put in numerous complaints about our noisy neighbor above. When we first brought the issue to managment 2 months ago they said they would put a 3 day cease or be evicted notice on the apartment above. Two months later and numerous complaints, the noise persists. We've asked for them to follow up with us, yet they have never once updated the status of the issue unless we go down to complain.

Third, work orders now must be filed in a blackhole. Previously, I've never had to wait more than 24 hours to get anything fixed. Even when our microwave shorted out it was fixed with 3 days. The only two workorders I've put in recently were both for lightbulbs. The first time after waiting 5 days I went down to ask on the status - the story' "We ran out of light bulbs but we just got some in today - someone will be right up". Really' A huge apartment building and you guys ran out of lightbulbs' No one thought hey we got 300 units here we're down to two lightbulbs maybe we should order before we run out'. Currently, I am without lighting in my dining area as the tract lighting has burned out. I put in the work order 3 weeks ago and no one has yet come by.

Fourth, as a perspective resident you'll get a nice tour, the place looks nice. They do a good job keeping the stops on the tour tip top. But if you can get away from the leasing agent and take a look around yourself. Trash piles up in the chutes and garbage is left out to rot, the elevators outside the lobby one are filthy, and there is trash all over the halls. Oh, and if you come to my neck of the woods you'll find some nice graffiti.

Fifth, safety, my neighbor - a young lady, was caught by her surprise that she couldn't get into her own elevator shaft from the parking garage. This happened to her at the most inopportune time. Upon returning home from the library late at night she realized she couldn't get up to her floor. So at 2 in the morning she was required to walk by herself around the perimeter of the building to get in through the lobby. If you've seen the reviews below you'll know that there has been a crime problem at our complex. The reason she couldn't get in' Management decided to change all the common area locks (we have electronic keys) without first informing the residents. In fact they changed the lock on my apartment door. If it were not for the fact that the management office was still open - I probably would not have been able to get into my own apartment that evening.

Sixth, courtesy, the new staff is extremely indifferent - at times downright dismissive. Granted, they get a lot of problems and a lot of unhappy people in the office - it's hard to keep a smile on your face. But this condition is mostly their own making. Each leasing agent generally gives you a sob story on how they didn't hear about the specific issue or that the old management didn't give them the requisite information. It's a pass the buck mentality down there - no one cares that you don't know - no one blames you for not knowing, but now that we bring it to your attention, we'd sort of like it fixed. It's really come down to me having to find some leasing agent that is giving a tour and bring the issue up with them - only in the face of looking bad in front of a perspective tenant will they give you the time of day (fellow neighbors, you can try this - but I've found while they're responsive when you talk to them, it's only a show for the perspective tenant). As another fun aside, my neighbor was given an eviction notice for not paying rent. Unsure what happened, she checked her bank statement and the rent check had cleared and canceled. When she brought this to managements attention she was brushed offed and told well I guess you figured it out. Seriously' On the whole eviction subject, I guess I complained about parking one too many times, someone from FPI told me that they were going to evict me (while shouting various obscenities my way) - there is a legal term for this nonsense - retaliatory eviction. I guess it's easier to make baseless threats than just making sure that I have somewhere to park.

If you're looking at this complex you're probably doing so because you value a nice clean place to come home at night. This is exactly what I was looking for when I settled on this apartment. The building is great, the amenities are nice and I really like my apartment unit. Unfortunately, the new management has been wholly frustrating. I understand that all of our complaints will be taken with a grain of salt, there is nothing compelling me to write about a great experience or even a decent one. However, I will tell you, I have lived in various apartments in Downtown LA for the last six years. None of them has ever made me wish my lease was coming up. None of them have caused me anxiety as to whether I could park my car in the garage, or if I could even get into my own apartment. With the stress that we deal with in our everyday endeavors, this is not something you need to add to the list - especially in this segment of the rental market (btw, the building is only about 50% full don't get fed the garbage that they're running out of space - just drive by at night it's totally dark - on my end of the building only 3 out 11 apartments are occupied). You deserve better. Look elsewhere. Happy hunting.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 08/06/2008
I live in an FPI property and would suggest not renting from any of the 20 bldgs. FPI apparently owns in the area. The leasing agents seem to be cold salespeople who have no interest in hearing from you after you sign the lease. Maintenance and security are areas they cut back on to the detriment of the renter while a lot of money is thrown on to exterior features. You will be threatened with eviction if you don't renew your lease. Good luck getting security back. You have been warned.

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