We started renting at 808 Berry about six months ago and it was a negative experience even before our move-in date. It started with an overly aggressive leasing agent who pressured us into signing the paperwork because she claimed she had another couple waiting to rent the apartment and if we did not sign she would not help us any longer. She was lying. I went to use the restrooms and checked to see if another couple was waiting in the lobby or common room, there was no one in sight.

There were problems with the apartment from the day we moved in starting with basic maintenance that was not complete from the last tenants (who broke their lease when they moved out). The entire complex is VERY poorly built and we are now suffering because of poor planning. I will start by saying that a brand new building should not be separating from the foundation and the windows should not be bowing. I have a family full of builders and architects and I had this professionally confirmedthe building was not built properly. We realized shortly after we moved-in that the air conditioner was broken. It did not cool and it shook the entire apartment. We live in a two-level town home and the unit is upstairs and I could feel the vibrations downstairs. It took over three weeks for it to be fixed and it broke down again shortly after. Luckily it was a cool summer because they always had an excuse of why it was not fixed.

The biggest problem we have is with noise. I have actually heard my neighbors talkingYES talking, and it is very difficult to sleep well when you can hear your neighbors every move. This applies to neighbors on all sides. One can hear cupboards closing, televisions, radios, conversations, walking, etc. We have made many complaints about this and the office staff is very good at being "fake nice and pretending to care, but they do not. I have had slightly more success filling out complaints online at Dominium Inc. main website. which is the management company that owns and operates 808 Berry.

We have also had many other problems that were minor, but for the amount of rent we are paying are important to us, such as aesthetic features. We are also upset that there appears to be very little upkeep of the grounds and have even suffered injuries due to poor lighting, which they claimed would be fixed when we moved in, but six months later is not. The stairwells are not up to city code, we had a water pipe burst because the builders nailed into it and a section of our wall had to be removed. There are tiny nails sticking out of the carpet everywhere and I have cut my feet numerous times, there is a cut in kitchen floor that was there we moved in and guess whatit is still there. In addition, we have placed work orders only to learn from the maintenance staff weeks later that they never received the order and the office staff never bothers to follow-up on issues.

We finally wrote a professional letter to Dominium Inc explaining our concerns and had a meeting with the manager here at 808 Berry. The response we got was basically a big FU. They did not offer to even try and fix any of the problems and said it would be $10,000 to get out of our lease. Although this property appears nice on the outside, be warned, it is a money pit and you will suffer. Please do not rent from 808 Berry or any other Dominium property because once they have your signature and money they do not care about you at all. I do not want anyone to suffer as we have and I urge you to take your money elsewhere.

In addition to the above, I would like to add that we often have cigarette butts and beer bottles on our porch and our car; which is parked in the street (since an additional parking space is $70 per month and costs more than I pay to park downtown Minneapolis).

I do not have a problem with parties, but when the noise becomes an issue and we all suffer the consequences, such as limited access to the facilities, I think it is unfair to those of us that are not causing problems.

This is not a luxury apartment, yet you will pay premium prices. I wish this had been a more positive experience, since I love the building and location, but I learned a valuable and expensive lesson...just because it costs more does not make it quality.

User Responses
From: troubled_resident	Date: 03/23/2006
Dominion is now going to be the managment company for the Carleton Place apartment/lofts being built on University (2285, 2295 and 2341 University Ave). I'm concerned about them managing this building as University Ave does not need this type of company running a business. I would much rather see owner occupied lofts/condos. Hopefully our new mayor will hold Dominion's feet to the fire if trouble arises. Please write to Mayor Coleman and let his office know of your troubles with Dominion Inc. and what might be expected at Carleton!

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