When I first moved in 2005 Island Park was a great place to stay for the money. The apartment size was much larger than comparable places on the island for less money. However the problem with the apartments starts after you move in and can continue once you move out.

First, the rent was consistently increased from my original move in day until my last lease. I started at $795 with my first one year agreement for a 1 bedroom, and ending with a $935 lease by the time I left. Why didn't I leave sooner' They give you 65 days notice from the end of your lease that your rent is increasing. BUT, they require a 60 day notice that you are moving out! Try finding a new place in five days when you are a swamped medical student.

Second, the apartments are filled with old fixtures, thin walls, poorly constructed cabinets where the handles fall off, and overall poor quality materials for the outrageous rent they charge. The gate was constantly broken and left open for anyone to enter (safe right').

Finally, the real problem is when you move out. Do not expect any of your security deposit back. In fact, expect to pay extra for ridiculous fees. I was charged $>300 for things like dirty kitchen floor and to replace a carpet that had been lived on for 3.5 years. The apartment was left cleaner than when I moved in. The real problem lies with their definition of "normal wear and tear" which is of course not defined at all. No negotiations, only fees that they would not change regardless of circumstances.

My advice is to avoid Island Park or any other apartment owned by the Sentinel Corporation. Mud Island is a great place to live, just go with any other company/apartment. Pay for quality and customer service somewhere else, unless you like losing money and living in poor conditions. You might like it on first sight, but once you move out I will be able to tell you I told you so.

Feel free to email me with any questions.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/07/2009
My sentiments exactly. When I moved out a week and a half before the end of my sixty day notice and turned in the keys, they charged me for utilities for that week and a half when I wasn't even there. I also cleaned the place meticulously and was still charged for the bathroom floors. The place is a rip off to say the least.
From: hoodlum1436	Date: 07/14/2009
My thoughts exactly (quite sincerely; I already posted a similar review!).

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