Now that I have completely severed all ties with Tamarlane, I feel that I can and should speak candidly about some of the problems at this apartment complex. This is meant to educate prospective tenants if and when they decide to rent or not to rent at Tamarlane. I will try to be critical, fair and open-minded. I will try to provide examples of what I experienced over the 5 years that I lived at Tamarlane.

??It is very difficult to reach the management or front office. One had better get used to leaving a message on the machine and hope that they ??get back to you.?? Office hours are posted or stated on the phone voice message but oftentimes nobody is in the office for the days they say they will be. The phone voice message is rarely updated, often outdated and if the manager is not in for the day (e.g. due to sickness), there is no way to know that. If you want something done, try calling Foxcroft (one of the other Equity properties located in not-so- nearby Scarborough ME).

??The vast majority of the tenants are respectful, courteous and mindful of their fellow tenant??s rights. But in my opinion, there has been a decline in the character and quality of some of the newer tenants living in the complex. It seems that over the last 1-2 years, there have been more and more of these inconsiderates moving into the complex and making life less enjoyable for others. I have noticed an increased frequency of garbage heedlessly discarded on the property, police visits, vehicles being driven on the grass, revving of 4x4 diesel pickups, noise, and other activities that erode the ??quality of life?? for the other law abiding residents.

??A November 2005 article in the Portland Press Herald reported that Equity, parent owner of Tamarlane, was considering selling this and its 4 other Portland area properties. I believe that this has created decline in worker morale at Tamarlane and a ??wait and see?? attitude from Equity when it comes to doing anything with improving the complex. That same article also quoted ??we don??t foresee rents increasing for the upcoming year??we are not budgeting rent increases??. I??ll believe it when I see it.

??In my opinion, there has been a general decline in the North Deering neighborhood area around Canco Road and Washington Streets.

??My rental unit had leaky / non air-tight windows that rarely closed properly. I brought this to the attention of maintenance about 3 years ago. They told me that ??they don??t manufacture those windows anymore?? and left it at that. Better head on over to Home Depot and invest in weatherproofing materials (the 3M window plastic seemed to work well). Remember, all tenants are contractually liable for mold growth (the Mold Addendum) that results from excess moisture and condensation that forms as a result of defective windows.

??Dangerously icy locations around the complex. If you ever discarded your trash at the dumpster located off the parking lot for units 9-21 you know what I mean. That ice rink is a lawsuit waiting to happen. It turns into a river in the spring.

??The foot-thick ice sheet that forms at the entrance to the complex making the turn into Tamarlane downright treacherous. If you slow down to less than 5 mph and swing it to the inside (close to the granite Tamarlane slab) you should be OK. Nothing is ever done about this. In the spring the problem melts away. Then all you have to deal with is the deplorable condition of Canco Road.

??Don??t be fooled by the new coat of paint, swimming pool, tennis courts, new privacy fences, fresh landscaping, guard shack, new patio slabs for they are merely cosmetic. Any complex that uses the word ??Luxury?? in its title should be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism. It would be nice if they spent some money on other things that would truly add value to the units such as weatherproofing, windows, closet doors that don??t fall off, newer appliances.

These are just a few of the things that I observed and personally experienced while living at Tamarlane.

I sense that the situation there will continue to deteriorate, a gradual yet steady decline in the overall quality of life at the complex. The decision to live there is up to you. If you decide to rent, print this off for future reference.


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User Responses
From: RavenPoeBoy	Date: 05/31/2006
I lived at Tamarlane for 3 years and I agree with you on several points. First and foremost, I believe that the quality/character of some of the newer tenants has really taken a nose-dive for the worse. This combined with the indifference of the management leads to a steady erosion of the "quality of life" at Tamarlane. I left to go elsewhere after paying a hefty ($1,500) fee for terminating my lease prematurely. I think that over time the following scenario will take place. More troublemakers move in...the management does nothing to resolve the problems (or properly screen potential renters in the first place)...the law-abiding long-time renters move out....the pressure to fill vacancies forces the management to improperly/hastily screen applicants and fill the units with losers...more "good people" move out....more section 8's fill in the spaces....a long steady downward spiral. The situation at Tamarlane...pathetic..my words..perhaps prophetic. Only time will tell.

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