I would like to start our rating by saying that I wish I would have listened to the negative ratings that I saw on this web site in September 2004. I saw a mix of reviews for this place but have later come to realize that the only positive ratings were posted by the building management pretending to be residents. The day we signed our lease (after we signed it) they admitted to us that they regularly visit this site to post positive things so their ratings dont drop. Well here is another rating for them to try disputing. They lured me in be saying that Northwest Airlines was a preferred employer and we wouldn't have to pay a deposit as a result.

When we decided to move out, we gave Linda the apartment manager a detailed 3 page review of the issues that we had from the first day that we moved in. The fact that we have not gotten a response from her is typical and the very reason we got ourselves on a waiting list across 494 from them. We LOVE the area, but Southview Gables is a DIVESTAY AWAY! Here is just some of what we encountered in our first 10 months:

Leasing office promised that move-in carts would be available to facilitate move-in process and that elevator would be accessible for move-in.
Upon arrival, move-in carts provided were STOLEN shopping carts from Target and Cub Foods that could not accommodate large items like our oak entertainment center. An additional cart had to be rented from A to Z rental center for $40 at the last minute.
Elevator was blocked from use by another tenant that was moving out during the same time and refused to cooperate in sharing the elevator. Our moving truck needed to be returned by 5 pm to prevent a $200 late charge. (Fortunately, we returned our truck with 10 minutes to spare.) The situation made our move-in day unnecessarily stressful.

At the time of lease signing, Southview Gables advertised that Whirlpools were located in each building.
In January 2005, we were told that due to building expense our building would no longer have a whirlpool.

Construction delays and tenant inconvenience.
Recent construction to upgrade the 4895 building fell behind schedule and lengthened the time that tenants were inconvenienced.
Individual apartment doors still have not been properly cleaned.
Required fire exit signage remains in disrepair/absent on the 3rd floor in clear violation of Inver Grove Heights and MN State multi-resident building fire code.

Exterior parking lot/sign lighting is inadequate for tenant safety.
In January we complained of the outage of the overhead lot lighting nearest to the building entrance. We repeated our complaint this spring. This issue has not been corrected and is a personal safety issue.
In January we also complained about that the street sign was not well lit, making it confusing for visitors to find our building. This problem has not been corrected.

Prior to our move-in date, we requested new linoleum, new light fixtures, carpet replacement and a new microwave.
Upon move-in, only the linoleum and light fixtures had been replaced.
After complaining about the spots and marks in the carpet, patches of carpeting were replaced rather than the entire carpet being replaced. (Indicated on move-in / move out checklist)
The old microwave remains we dont have the energy to complain about things anymore unless they are completely broken.

Refrigerator did not cool properly from the first day of move-in and was noisy.
In January and February, the refrigerator was so loud that we were forced to close our bedroom door at night so we could sleep. During this time, we filled our 2nd, 3rd and 4th complaints. On February 7th, we finally got a new refrigerator.

As indicated on move-in / move out checklist, the under counter shut-off valve for the cold water supply is broken and cannot be used to shut off water in the event of an emergency or to facilitate maintenance.
This issue remains unresolved to this date.

On November 1, 2004 we reported that the dryer was not working properly and on November 8 we reported that the washer was not working.
We were told that the dryer problem was fixed after they cleaned the vent. It was implied that we did not know how to wash clothes. After 16 years of living on my own, I think I know how to wash a flipping load of laundry. The dryer continued to function so poorly that it usually took 3 cycles to dry a load of whites.
After having several shirts damaged so badly that they became severely stained and un-wearable, we complained one final time, presenting physical evidence. Only then was the washer/dryer replaced.

If you qualify for section 8 or are a divorced, single mother in your 20s, then this place is right up your ally. If you are a business professional that expects high quality and service, do yourself a favor look somewhere else and pay the extra $100 a month. In the end, you will be money ahead and have a lot less aggravation.

User Responses
From: hotdeals	Date: 08/25/2005
You were not the only one who got the business professional special. The section 8 people, divorced and single mothers got it too. It is called deceiptive marketing, and you can get out of your lease if you can prove you were lied to.
From: Elexan24	Date: 04/13/2006
I used to live in southview gables also and up until the last paragraph I agreed with you. After that last paragraph that just shows that you are no better than the employees of this apartment complex. Who are you to pass judgement on single mothers, divorced women, or people on section 8? If a 29 year old single mother works hard and pays the same amount in rent that you do, what makes her deserve less in quality and service than you? Have a little respect!!

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