From:
-Anonymous-
Date posted:
6/8/2008
Years at this apartment:
1998
-
2008
5 responses
After living here for several years. The apartment complex staff has declared war on the the long term residents. Many people here love the complex, the park,the maintenance (fabulous) the pools, and the dog park. The location is fantastic. The last year has seen many turnovers in the office staff. ------ ------ and -------- in the main office are not only rude and non responsive to residence needs but they are hostile and go to lengths to cause issues for residents.The Office staff here are well on track for a major lawsuit and criminal investigation into their behavior directed towards residents (even the on site (APD) police residents have left the complex). Gone are the days of incredible office staff like ----- and ---------. More than 75% of the units are unoccupied due to the great amount of turnover caused directly by the poor attitude of the complex office staff and more people are leaving by the day. The residents are being replaced by a lowered standard of residents, such as gang bangers and other criminal elements that make it unsafe at night. Previously as a high end complex anyone failing a criminal back ground check was ineligible to live here. APD frequently has the Police helicopter hovering over the complex at night with now weekly police calls including theft, domestic violence, and gang banging in the complex parking lots. Liz ------ the current Manager is decent to deal with and can often smooth over the issues caused by her own staff; However, she must be incompetent as she has not fired her staff for overtly causing issues such as A) towing and damaging people's brand new vehicles in paid for spots such as garage fronts or covered parking (when confronted ------ ------ reported to me that she can do anything she wants to vehicles in the complex as per the lease, after 500 dollars in paint damage to a brand new vehicle where she placed the super sticky style tow notice directly to the paint of the vehicle) No offer of recompense was offered. B) They continually fail to upgrade the apartments to state and city required safety equipment resulting in 3 major floods in my apartment alone (which they did not reimburse me my rent, nor provide alternate housing during multi week repairs including major mold infestations afterwards (in the middle of X-Mas) C) Seem to feel that the state law requiring 48 notice to enter any residence on site does not apply to them. Leading to D. D) the Office staff has often and frequently entered and left the apartments at will disabling the alarms and leaving the apartment doors unlocked and open to the general public. E) Office staff is not only rude but generally unavailable they leave and close the office before posted hours or will open "late". The Staff that will cause the most issues often leave after working less than 4 hours a day. F) after selling themselves as pet friendly and building a "dog park". They cut the water off so that in the middle of the Texas summer there is no water for your animals in the provided facilities, several dogs have died due to heat stress and lack of water to the dog park facilities. However, they do continue to waste rent money on a full color monthly guide including a localized pet of the month. Hopefully the monthly mascot doesn't die as a direct result of their continuing gross incompetence and criminal negligence. The pet policy also changes at the whim of the office staff you are dealing with one day dogs are allowed several weeks later they will be banned (after you have signed the contract and additional money can be extorted from you).
Recommended: NO
Overall Rating
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User Responses
From:
ranthonyortiz
Date:
06/08/2008
I would first like to start off by saying I am so sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction with Waters Park and I assure you we have and always will follow what you and Waters Park have both agreed upon in your signed lease contract, and do follow all state and city laws. Doing so is not only important to us, but it is important to you.
We are currently occupied at 95% and have not been at 25% occupied since our initial lease up in 1995, and we strive to keep a great deal of our residents. I wish we could keep all of our residents, but people move all the time---some to be closer to work, or into a new home, or some move just because they want a change in their life. We understand that is the business we are in and often time get really nice letters from residents moving out or even residents that return simply because of our team at Waters Park. It is because of this we have not one, but several residents who have lived here more than 10 years.
You'll be happy to know that our standards for qualifying our prospective residents have actually increased over the years. We not only do credit checks, but an extensive criminal background check on everyone staying at Waters Park. Unfortunately, crime can happen anywhere. I even saw on CNN today that a crime of arson occurred at the Governor’s Mansion here in Austin Texas. A crime so terrible it made national news and just thinking about the fact that it even happened at a place so secure as the Governor's Mansion, brings me into the realization that really crime can occur anywhere. My thoughts and prayers are with our Governor and his family for his loss.
I have not heard about pets dying in our dog park, and being a pet owner myself, I always make sure that I have suitable means to take care of my pet when we are away from home, especially during the Texas Summer Heat. Our pets are like our children and in that being said, I take extreme care to see that my pet’s anticipated needs are accounted for, as I would hope all pet owners would do for the one they love. We do have a breed restriction for certain pets allowed at Waters Park. Every team member has not only a written description, but a picture, of those dogs on the list and we do not make exceptions. This list has been updated to meet today's understood criteria of aggressive breeds. There may be residents who have been longtime residents and have a pet that was not on the list at the time they moved in and are well within their lease to have their pet, and there are those residents who do not report the fact that they have a pet. We try our best with the help of our residents, to insure all pets are registered with the office. I wish we could allow all pets, since to all of us pet owners, our pet simply is the sweetest, kindest soul we know. We have some exciting features we will be adding to our pet park in the near future. I absolutely adore the pets our residents at Waters Park have. That is why I personally created the pet newsletter insert with a "Waters Park Pet of the Month" so that way we can share the love we have for our pets to others in the community.
I am sorry to say it, but we do enforce parking violations and a car will get towed (as it would if it were elsewhere and parked illegally) if it is in violation of the rules set forth by your lease. Because of confusions that may arise, pictures are documented for both Waters Park, and more importantly you, to see. We are very understanding to everyone’s situation and as long as no parking violation has happened, we are quick to resolve the problem.
I want to let you know that I personally am here to help you and other residents in the community in any way I can, and yes, although we would love to be open every day of the year, sometimes we will have holidays and unfortunately there are times we must have meetings before or during business hours resulting in the office being closed during "posted office hours" (a notice is of course posted in these instances at all doors).
I came to Waters Park last year to work with Liz, the manager, after working with her for over 3 years prior to leaving the industry. It was her compassion and professionalism to everyone, especially our residents, that brought me back into the industry. Liz herself has been the manager at Waters Park for over 3 years and that in itself truly says a lot in our industry. She has won several battles for our residents against outside factors including the final approval from the city for our second entrance and beginning the first stages of "going green" in our community, some changes of which several of our residents have stated have saved them a large savings in electric bills. Thank you Liz for the care you give to not only our team but the residents at Waters Park.
I understand that when a situation does not have the final outcome one desires, it can become extremely frustrating and it becomes important to express your concerns in writing or in person. I invite you to come into the office and speak with me or Liz over your dissatisfaction. I promise, you are always welcome to come see us to discuss your concerns expressed in your posting. Liz is an understanding and always fair manager for Waters Park and would like to hear from you.
It is always important for us to hear your concerns. We are in the business of providing the best customer service. And not only do you deserve it, but so do the many other residents who have send us "thank you letters" over more recently the past few months. We hope to hear from you so we can make you one of the many satisfied residents we have living here at Waters Park.
Rupert Ortiz, Leasing Manager for Waters Park.
From:
Bosybonus
Date:
06/13/2008
I have noticed a trend in Austin Apartments where they tend to hire the ditzy dumbed down girl that doesnt know what the hell is gong on to woek in the front office. They need to hire more professional and competent people who actually know how to run things. These girls remind me of drama queen hood rats that like to cause problems and talk behind peoles backs. GET NEW STAFF at least ONE MALE staff.
From:
phiup327
Date:
06/24/2008
Oh wow! I am amazed by the lies that people make up to give someone or a business a bad rap. I have great experiences at Waters Park.
Well MR. ANONYMOUS I hope the helicopter that flies weekly by the complex doesnt catch you doing the gang banging things you do and I hope you find peace in your loss which occured at the pet park. Hey by the way, they sell water bottles with attached bowls at Petsmart for less then $5. I am sure living at Waters Park a LUXURY community you can afford that.
From:
Kimbo485
Date:
07/11/2008
I have a small dog that avoids the dog park during the hottest times of the day and will take him out early morning and late evening. I will also bring a jug of ice water with me so he has something to drink. It's the owner's responsibility to look after the health of your own dog...not the apartment's.
Secondly, I have always felt safe here. I've never seen "gang-bangers" walking around the complex nor do I notice police helicopters flying above our apartment weekly.
My appliances may be old, but they do work and they are clean. My dishwasher has flooded once, but management/maintenance was quick to fix the problem and compensated me for my inconvenience by discounting my rent the next month...all I had to do was ask.
I will admit there are a select few people in the office who seem like they have an attitude, but I have never had any direct problems with them. Most everyone in the office is kind, courteous and have always taken care of my needs. Then again, I don't go into the office in a foul mood either and I treat people the way I want to be treated.
From:
cjhiggins
Date:
07/15/2008
I cannot believe how much the original poster has created numerous exagerrations and lies. I am a resident, lived here for 10 months now (July '08). And I am awake late nights, and yes in 10 months the APD helicopter has flown overhead with the spotlight on about 2-3 times late at night, searching the entire neighborhood, not just the complex.
The gangbangers!! my goodness, this is such a lie, try living on Riverside ya wuss and then we'll talk.
Staff has been very helpful, had some pest problems which were dealt with. They put in an extra ceiling fan and made some "Green" energy enhancements, nice.
When someone is irate at a business, they will create such exagerrations and lies to pour their anger into. This person, coward anonymous person, clearly violated some part of the parking policy and is angry at the rules.
As for the car towing, yes they are strict, but if you follow the rules there should be no problems.
So Mr. or Ms. Coward Anonymous, find some common sense and look elsewhere to rent, say under a rock, cause that's where you head is at.
Disclaimer: No attempt has been made to verify or assure the accuracy of the claims made by the author of this opinion or responses. You must judge the truthfulness of any review and accept responsibility for your use of this information.
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