We are currently residents of Avalon at Flanders Hill - we have been here for almost 4 years. We started paying for a 2 bedroom at $1700/month. We now pay $2200/month for rent. Rent went up each year (for 3 years approximately $50/month). This past year, when it was time to renew...we received a letter for renewal with our new rate. They raised our rent 10%!!! They also tried to charge me $45/month for each of my two a piece. It clearly states in their lease agreement that cat pent rent is $45/month UP TO 2 cats! That is what I had been paying the previous 3 years...they tried to tell me that "I got off lucky the previous three years"...I complained to corporate and they did adjust it back to just the $45/month. I explained that I understood that rent will go up each year...but that 10% was ridiculous. Who the hell gets a 10% raise each year' They were not understanding or sympathetic to our concerns. I greatly regret ever moving into this place...I didn't realize that we would end up struggling each month to pay this ridiculous rent. Had we known that the rent would jump dramatically each year...and that they would eventually increase our rent 10% each year (when new mgt came on) - then we wouldn't have ever looked into this place. Yes, it is beautiful...the apartments are nice and the grounds are kept well -- but, for the price and headaches you will get from the mgr - STAY AWAY and look elsewhere!!!

User Responses
From: HappyFlanders	Date: 10/03/2008
It's all Robin DiPina. Elizabeth was much better.
From: Anonymous	Date: 02/03/2009
yeah with all the complaints about Robin de Pina - they should just fire her! shes not at all sympathetic to the tenants. maybe because she rarely goes to work and does not actually feel the tenants' sentiments
From: Anonymous	Date: 03/24/2009
I concur with the above post. Avalon increases the rent witohut any logic. They increased my rent by $300...yes three hundred. They told me that I got the apartment at a lower rate and that the market value is what they are asking. They knew I can not vacate immdediately and took undue advantage. Some of the staff members are good, but I have never talked to Robin, Property manager. She never comes out of her office, never talks to tenants. I repent having moved here. PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM AVALON if you are planning to stay here even for 2-lease terms.
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/22/2009
I visited this apartment in Oct. 2008, looking for a 2 bedroom apartment. I have two small kids, a boy and girl. One is going to school and other is going to day care. The leasing officer told me that I need to lease a three bedroom apartment as my kids are of opposite sex, they can't stay together as per MA laws. I could not argue with him on MA laws. Sales guys are so arrogant, one could well imagine the yearly increase in rent.
From: Anonymous	Date: 11/05/2009
Yes, in our experience as well, Avalon Flanders Hill raised our rent with no rhyme or reason, while at the same time offering move-in specials and in many cases substantially lower actual rents to new tenants. If you confront them on this they obfuscate by claiming that the rent isn't lower, it's just a "special". I guess it's not enough for them to take financial advantage of their tenants, they have to insult your intelligence too! They wouldn't be offering so-called move-in specials if market values hadn't declined. So what makes them think they have the right to raise rents on existing tenants under such circumstances is beyond me. Greed perhaps? They will also get you on the security deposit as well. I'm not sure if all Avalon communities are like this or not. Certainly it could be a dishonest way for the property manager to make their bottom line look better by passing off costs of doing business onto the backs of the tenants by making them pay for normal wear and tear. If this is a corporate policy, I feel sorry for anyone who has sold their soul to work for this company and has to enforce such unethical practices.
From: beversull	Date: 01/21/2010
HappyFlanders...I do not know if you are still here but I totally agree with you on the Elizabeth comment!! I have been her since 2004 & she was amazing & tried to do a lot of stuff for our community! She was the best! I hope someone who cares know that! I have no idea where she went after Westborough.
From: Anonymous	Date: 02/09/2010
This is a follow up - I am the original person who posted the top review. I am still here (yes...still here) - and now it is owned by Lincoln Properties. I am not a 100% satisfied with them. However, I am hoping that they will not follow the practices of Avalon and screw their residents financially like Avalon did. Especially, long-time residents like myself. Time will tell... I, again would strongly recommend for people to look elsewhere. I am only here because we have one year left in MA...so, I'm trying to stick it out...

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