Be very wary of signing a lease here. There are laws in place restricting how much they can charge for late fees.

Last month, I accidentally dropped my rent check in the mail slot. They notified me five days later that they had not received it and that they were charging $75 plus $10 per day in late fees.

THAT'S NOT ALL! They are also trying to charge me an additional $320 "rent concession"--total of $445!!!!

The next month, I paid my rent the evening of the first, and AGAIN, they are trying to hit me with ANOTHER $320 in "concessions."

They claim that they are giving me a discount for signing a six month lease, even though I am still paying more than the average 2 br in the same zip code.

Trash facilities are more than 1/4 mile away--only a single recepticle for the entire complex, it is often overflowing.

No covered parking in many areas and noisy neighbors.

Thank goodness I only signed a six month lease, I am already planning to move as soon as it is up.

User Responses
From: Cali1994	Date: 02/11/2006
If you signed a lease and therefor agreed to the terms you have/ or should be aware that rent is due on the 1st of the month (everywhere you go in this town).So, I guess you're blaming management for a mistake you made..? YOU threw the check in the outgoing mail box, correct...? Boy oh boy, I wish they had a site for angry people that got charged late fees from credit card companies for not paying their bills on time....Any time you sign a legal document you should make sure to read it first...I seriously doubt that any management company would take a chance on "illegal activities". After all, if that was the case I'm sure your attorney would've contacted them by now,huh...?
From: beechick	Date: 02/13/2006
I agree with Supergirl, also please read the response from Cali, this is a response from the management. Instead of trying to smooth the matter over or help pacify THEIR customers they only get more confrontational. This is the attitude adopted by the management at the vineyards. They have no customer service skills at all. This site was referred to me by a friend. At first I was surprised by the amount of negative reviews but after much reading I relate to all the views expressed. There is no other place quite like this in the springs.
From: inthebiz1985	Date: 02/13/2006
Why don't you people read what you sign? A contract is just simply an agreement between 2 or more entities. You are both agreeing to and signing that you agree to it. It is as simple as that. I don't think they asked you to sign for anything as unreasonable as jumping off the cliff and if they did surely you wouldn't have agreed to it? Your right that would be unenforceable; but you do have to be mentally fit to sign the lease so...... And no, this is not "the office" or anyone related to the Vinyards, but I do work in this business and I can guarantee you that this management company however unethical you may think they are , are responsible for a physical asset of millions of dollars and you can better believe every lease and addendum to the lease has been gone over with a fine tooth comb by their lawyers and is in accordance with Colorado statutes. As far as losing your concession that is also very common practice and I am most certain you signed and agreed to that also? They can't just adopt outrageous practices honey, you have to have agreed to it. Guess it wasn't that outrageous on move in day when you just wanted your keys? Look for it. Also, the employees on site are just upholding the lease, they did not write it or set up company policy for that matter. So, you are barking up the wrong tree with getting them to back down. They are just doing their job. They are giving you a considerable discount every month with the stipulation only that you pay on time. In fact, I explain this to prospective residents at the point of leasing so they will know this will not work for them if they pay late often. It is certainly your choice to not take the concession. I strongly suggest that when you are writing out your biggest $$ check each month that you either hand deliver it and get a receipt or if you drop it call immediately to confirm receipt.That is absolutely your responsibility and your fault if misplaced. We are in property management, not mind reading. Don't waste your money on an attorney. You will lose. Get over it and learn from your mistakes because you my dear are the one who made one. Oh, and if someone, anyone is trying to "extort" money from you by all means call the CS Police at 444-7000. Now that is a crime.
From: supergirl222	Date: 02/14/2006
Why can't the vineyards just lease the apartment at an honest market rent, and if a tenant is late, then charge the appropriate late fees and be done with it? And, do you really think the Vineyards is in business to hand out charity to the tune of over $300 per month to each of its residents? I don't think so. They are a business and are in business to maximize their profits, and if they could rent these places for what they claim is market rent, then that's what they would rent for. Plain and simple. In fact, if you look at the numbers, after the concession, they are charging well over 30% higher rent than the average apartment in Colorado Springs. So this rent "concession" isn't really a price break at all. What they are doing is overinflating their prices to a price that is way above what the market will bear, and then "claiming" that they are offering this big discount. However, the rental comps for this city and zip code prove otherwise. What they are doing is cleverly disguised under a legal loophole. It might look legal, but if you dig deeper, I'm not so sure. But whether legal or not, there is no question that it is DEFINITELY unethical. (Even Cali questioned it.) And don't let the vineyards use the fact that you signed the lease allow them to bully you into accepting this. I have rented a number of apartments in my life, and can definitely say this is not something I've encountered before. Any reputable place will have no problem charging a fair market rent without any funny business in their lease. Personally, I am surprised at this treatment. I am a quiet tenant. I keep the place in immaculate condition, and I pay my rent on time. And I plan to rent for at least another year. You would think that the vineyards would want more tenants like me in this community. Instead, it will cost them far more than the "concession" to let the apartment go vacant for a month or more while they try to replace my lease. And if I continue to fight this, then they will also have to pay their expensive attorneys. Plus all the bad publicity. Doesn't seem too smart for business, does it? So...the facts are there. I sincerely hope the vineyards has the kind of management that is willing to examine its own practices for improvement. I guess we'll see....My guess is that they will spend all their time on the internet trying to save face.
From: Cali19941	Date: 02/14/2006
This is Cali again...No, I don't work at the Vineyards. I'm a resident here and actually I got stuck with the "Concession" one month too. It was something new that went into affect with my lease renewal and you know, I somewhat remember them explaining it to me, but I forgot...I went over the paperwork, and it is legal. I really couldn't be angry at them, but I was pretty upset about it.I signed it and it was my fault I forgot...I didn't think initially that it was legal, but I had my brother who's an attorney look at it and it's o.k. If you sign it you agree to the terms....
From: jazzysue	Date: 02/15/2006
Supergirl, you are not quiet, you won't shut up and you have threatened a lawsuit. What in your small little business savvy mind makes you think that translates into a quiet tenant? Actually you are bad PR and it would be worth it for them to let you go at this time even with the vacancy loss. You are a disgruntled resident due to your own mistake and you need to move on. Not sure why you leased if you did not find value in the apartment? Go to one of those other properties that is 30% lower and shut it. You are contradicting yourself when you say how overpriced they are, yet you will remain? Guess they are good leasers...... since apparantly you were so misled. Guess you didn't "look at the numbers" when you rented the apartment. Oh, by the way idiot if you sue them and they win which they will, you will pay their attorney's fee. READ YOUR LEASE!

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