I have lived in this complex for 4 years. I really love the location and the office and maintenance staff are outstanding. I had no intention of leaving (even with the last rent increase, now the upper end market value). However, now the owner (absentee owner) has come out with a new policy that is being added to lease renewals and will be 100% compliance by next January (2010). The new policy is that the entire complex will become non-smoking. I have no problem with common areas being smoke free, I respect non-smokers rights, but what I do in my apartment that does not violate any laws should be up to me as an adult paying well for my private living space. The memo addressed extra cleaning cost for a smokers apartment but if I wasn't leaving there is no cost involved and if I did decide to leave I have a considerable cleaning/security deposit, prepaid, which is probably earning the owner more money in interest. It spoke of the risk of fire due to careless smokers. I haven't heard of a fire here in my 4 years. All of this with no residents input.

Manager's Response
From: Manager	Date: 09/12/2009
Dear resident: I was very sorry to read of your disappointment with our decision to transform Ashford Club into a 'clean air community'. As you may recall, this decision was taken only after a careful survey of our residents. And, even then, we provided a full 18 months notice to our residents prior to making the change (which won't take place until this coming January 1, 2010). As of that date, Ashford Club will be the only non-smoking apartment community in the City of Tallahassee. I know from the balance of your review, that you appreciate the hard work and enormous integrity with which we have managed Ashford Club for going on 15 years. And while I don't personally reside at Ashford (though I visit regularly) we do have an ONSITE property manager, Connie Moore, plus 2 full-time maintenance professionals (all of whom are on call 24/7). I understand from our telephone conversations that you've decided to move on to an another community which permits smoking. We're sorry to see you go but wish you the very best of luck (and envy your upcoming retirement). I hope that you'll come back to visit from time to time. Most sincerely, Marvin Weinberger (Proud) Owner Ashford Club Apartments

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 03/02/2009
That is unfortunate. I must be honest, it is a nice place but not THAT great. There are better places in this town. Considering the space and cost, you can do better. My stay there was just ok. I ended up having to pay for a ton of stuff upon move-out and have not looked back since.
From: Anonymous	Date: 03/19/2009
Is this apartment complex generally quiet (i.e. no music coming through your walls at midnight when you are trying to sleep)?
From: Anonymous	Date: 06/04/2009
Fairly quiet. It's only 10:32pm on a Thursday night, but the person living beside or above me has the music going. It's hard to tell with vibrations.
From: Anonymous	Date: 08/06/2009
A lot of the bedrooms have HVAC units outside them if you're on the ground floor or below them if you're not, and the windows are kind of flimsy in my opinion, so if that noise gets to you, then make note of that. Also you can hear people outside your door clearly and walking above you usually - no surprise there, so it depends on who your neighbors are, as I found out.
From: Anonymous	Date: 09/14/2009
I completely agree with you that the owner/management is infringing on individual rights. I'm certain the owner is a big anti-smoking guy and says that the idea was made with "a survey of residents" when he simply didn't want smoking anymore. I don't remember being surveyed. It's a joke that a person cannot even smoke on their balcony when that truly causes no problems whatsoever. Their excuse was that "other non-smoking residents may be able to smell your smoke." I have NEVER smelled anybody else's smoke once. He said "well we gave 18 months notice" so that anyone who wants to leave can leave. How about helping pay for my moving costs?

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