My first encounters with the leasing office were fine, as they were seemingly nice and professional. However, once you get in and have to deal with resident services (the office where you pay your rent or address any concerns) is where the problems start. I have had several bad encounters with their incompetent and unprofessional staff. One incident occurred in which I regrettably renewed my lease only to find out that the renewal was never received, and my conversation with the rude and unprofessional renewal agent, along with the voicemail she left me confirming that my lease was renewed was flat-out denied by her. I became aware of this after seeing that I was being billed month to month fees. I was instructed by someone from the accounting department to deduct the amount of the fees from next month's rent, as they would "look into it". This was around renewal time, so because they wanted the renewal, which you can only do with a zero balance, I paid the month to month fees under the conditions that the late fees be removed. The late fees resurfaced the next month, and I eventually had to pay them because of following the instructions of the accounting dept.,which was completely unfair as I would have never incurred the fees if it werent for her instructions. My phone calls to another accounitng rep, (as I was through with the other) regarding the fees went unreturned, and she was the one who insisted they would be removed. I even left messages for the property manager, and they also went ignored. In the event that you do get someone on the phone they will take messages and never return your calls. If you speak to them in person they act as if there is nothing they can do at that moment, and then they will ask for your phone number, knowing that they have no intentions of calling you back, or addressing your concerns. Their M.O. is hoping or knowing that you'll just eventually pay the fees in an effort not to incur additional ones. Everyone down to the secretary, who is now the renewal agent, as the original one was probably fired, seems to be in on scamming tenants. They're also known for charging late fees when you aren't late, which also happened occured in my case. They have no way of proving when they received or processed payment, yet they come up with any date that suits them. If you're a current tenant always pay using the drop box outside the office, and use a personal check so that you have proof of when it was cashed. Never trust anything they say, in person or over the phone. Make copies of everything and get everything in writing, and save voicemails, and record phone calls if you can. If you end up making a payment which you're sure you don't owe and/or were wrongfully charged, sign the back of the check or money order with PAID UNDER PROTEST, in the event that you have to sue them later. Don't rely on phone calls, (if you do keep phone records) just stop in the office as many times as you have to. Their job is to scam you and your job is to prevent it. If you're considering moving here don't. Their lease is criminal, full of usury. It's a crying shame the way they treat their tenants, save yourself the hassle.

User Responses
From: blueree	Date: 09/24/2008
I couldn't agree more, I'm a current tenant as well (emphasis on current, I so plan to be out of there when my lease expires). When you address the unresponsiveness of ANYONE in the resident services office they try to make it seem as if though this stuff never happens, like it must just be happening to you specifically. It's hogwash and they know it, but, they don't care as long as they get their money. For a while now I've been thinking about printing out flyers advertising this website and placing them in random mailboxes (1800 units is too much to go every mailbox) or the crappy laundry center so that more people can post reviews (negative or positive) warning people of this complex that wins that "Best of Living" apartment award every frikking year. I think I'm really going to do that now.
From: Anonymous	Date: 09/24/2008
Hey "scammedbylynnewood", I feel your pain. I have been a resident at Lynnewood for 8 1/2 years. I moved into a 2 bedroom in 2000 with my daughter. When she moved out, I then moved into a 1 bedroom in 2002. I was making plans to move out of Lynnewood because of alot a problems I was having, mainly my car being vandelized and noisy and rude neighbors. But in November 2005 my daughter moved back in with me because she was pregnant. She had the baby in December and the three of use had to live in my 1 bedroom until that following May. I then moved back into a 2 bedroom and now by daughter and grandson have moved out and management will not let me moved to a 1 bedroom because of the following reason: 1. I have moved too many times. HEY, YOU GOT YOUR MONEY FROM ME!!!! 2. I was late with my rent alot. HEY, I PAID ALL THE LATE FEES AND NEVER LASPED INTO THE FOLLOWING MONTH. I EVEN PAID THE COURT FEES IF IT GOT TO THAT POINT. The reason I was late and I explained to them that I was helping my daughter financially and things got tough for me. Look, I have lived at Lynnewood for over 8 years and I have given these people a hell of a lot of MONEY!!!!!! Do you think they would work with me...NO!!!! Now I am month-to-month and paying of a lot of money, but that what these crooks want! They claim that it will cost them money to fix up a 1 bedroom (trust me, there is plenty of vacancies) and it will cost them money to fix my apartment. HOW ABOUT ALL THE MONEY I HAVE GIVEN THESE PEOPLE?? DOESN'T THAT COUNT FOR ANYTHING????? I hate this place, it's an overpriced HOUSING PROJECT!!!!!
From: scammedbylynnewood	Date: 09/29/2008
Hi "Blueree" and "Anonymous" Thanks for responding to my review. Although it???s unfortunate that this is happening to tenants, it???s nice to know that I am understood and supported by others going through similar concerns. And blueree I couldn???t agree more about passing out flyers informing tenants of this site and giving them the opportunity to come forward and voice their concerns. Lynnewood Gardens and their employees conduct business the way they do because they can, and no one is stopping them. If enough tenants come forward and confront their behavior they may think twice about the way they treat their tenants. A number of residents have been living here a lot longer than I have, like you anonymous, and that is a lot of money being paid over the years. It would be nice to receive adequate service in return.
From: Anonymous	Date: 05/16/2009
Don't forget that you can always file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Believe it or not, Lynnewood holds an "excellent" rating by the BBB. Like you, we were ripped off by Lynnewood after our kids moved out. We contacted our lawyer (a family friend) because what happened was beyond unfair. He said that if we wanted to go on a crusade, he'd be glad to lead the charge because he is completely confident that we would win and would get back not only the deposit but the extra charges as well. However, his lawyers fees would exceed the amount we'd get back. So it doesn't make sense financially to take them to court, even though we'd win. SO although it made me sick to my stomach to pay it, we had no choice. BUT...I CAN file a complaint with the BBB. I urge you to do the same if you feel your compaint is legitimate, which I am confident it is. Most of my kids' friends who have moved out have very similar stories. Lynnewoods MO is to schmooze you in the door, and then kick you on the way out. They are not truthful and are deceitful in their dealings, as well as totally unresponsive when you try to get explanations for the bogus charges. We've learned alot regarding covering ourselves when dealing with landlords from this. Bottom line- keep records of everything- phone calls, dates, notes from conversations, copies of bills, checks. I used to think their wanting to talk about issues and problems was kind of odd- when I'd email they'd always say to call instead. The reason for that is, an email is considered legal written proof and any verbal conversation is "as good as the paper its printed on". A phone conversation cannot be used in court. Take pictures when you move in, especially if they tell you they don't have time to do a walk through on move in day. Take pictures when you move out because they WON'T walk through with you on move out day. This was a hard lesson to learn but hopefully the landlords we deal with from now on will not be as shifty. I like the pamphlet idea...!! If we lived down there, I'd help you out!!
From: Anonymous	Date: 05/30/2009
i would like to move to lynnewood gardens but im not sure if i make enough im a dental assistant making about 15 dollars an hour is that enough.

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