I agree with the review below regarding the terrible way the company handled the fire at Velma Court Apartments.

Up until this point, I had nothing but good things to say about the company -- maintenance was on time, price was reasonable, office staff seemed friendly and accomodating -- but the way they handled this fire was so terrible that it has changed my mind completely regarding them.

First, they did not provide any information to tenants. I was away for the weekend when the fire occurred, and the only reason I knew anything had happened to my apartment was because a friend saw it on the news and called to tell me. Were it not for that, I would have come home to a burned out building with no idea what had happened. I also had to call the company several times to find out how long we would be out, when we had to move our things, etc. I was told by Linda I had until the 15th to move and that I would receive a letter with all the details. Well, I never received a letter, and on the 13th I got a call saying that I had actually had until the 5th. I explained that I had never gotten a letter, and that I had been told the 15th. I was rudely told by Cathy that I should have forwarded my mail (I did, but never got this letter), that I had been told the 5th (I'm not deaf), and that if my stuff wasn't out in a few days, it would be pitched because "we have to get to work on these apartments." Very understanding of them.

Second, they did little or nothing to help tenants cope with the fire and clearly had only their own interests at heart. They did find me another apartment to live in -- for a higher price. When I asked them how mail was being handled, they said they were setting up a system. This "system" turned out to be us driving to the post office to pick up mail. When I asked Linda how things were being handled regarding lease terms and security deposits, I was told I would have to wait until the company talked to its lawyers. I was then snidely informed that it probably wouldn't matter anyway, because they thought my apartment was too "trashed" to get a security deposit back.

I thought this company was different, but they're not. I'm angry enough to strongly suggest everyone stay away from this company.

User Responses
From: cathyo	Date: 08/23/2006
On behalf of McQuarters Realty Company, Inc. I would like to respond to this complaint. Regarding this complaint I have only a couple of comments. First of all an apartment was offered to this tenant as a courtesy of the Management Company. The tenant did not have to accept the offer. The rent was kept the same for this Velma Court tenant, even though the apartment offered rented for more money. The only difference was the gas "was" included in the last apartment and this apartment it "was not" included. Secondly, as I am sure everyone is aware a Managment Company has NO control over the mail. It is government property and we could only recommend that our tenants put in for a forwarding order or personally go to the post office and pick up their mail. Lastly, it is true management had to consult their lawyers with regards to the security deposit refund. We have NEVER had a building burn down in the 25 plus years we have been in business and we did not know the proper steps to follow. As far as the condition of your apartment that is something that is not disclosed over a phone conversation. Overall I am sorry you felt you had such an awful experience, but am amazed that you would still reside with our company if you were so unhappy.
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/25/2008
Cathy is a very difficult person to talk to. It is not only my opinion but also the people from the maintenance department. My bathroom faucets are leaking for a long time and they are old and rusty. I call the maintenance people almost every other week. They told me that they could not found the replacement parts because it is not available in the market anymore. I spoke to Cathy about changing them and she declined my request by saying that she doesn't think it can not be fixed and 'old' and 'rusty' faucets are not considered as replaceable. It is useful to mention that I pay about $1200 per month for a single bed/1 bath apartment which is pretty expensive.
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/21/2009
I completely agree with the post on McQuarter's Realty. I thought they were decent, until the fire also. When the fire happened, I found it almost impossible to get any information from McQuarter's. I realize some information can't be disclosed and that it was a stressful situation for everyone, BUT when I called first, the answering person didn't even know of a fire. You'd think for an emergency this person would at least have a statement to read to people. Second, I keep calling the next day and I'm either told someone would call me back or that everyone was at lunch (I'm glad they could enjoy their sandwich while we sat and waited to know if we had lost all our possessions). I also never received this infamous letter and it took MONTHS for the security deposit to come back (what if I needed that immediately for another apartment?). Anyways, if you can avoid McQuarter's do. They exhibited nothing but unprofessionalism and total disregard for the their tenants.

Your thoughts? Post a response to this review. Display my response: with my username anonymously Responses appear below reviews and one response per user is permitted.

   Free estimates on moving trucks      Find apartment share/roommates