Everyone knows that there is always good and bad to most every situation. For some, things go very smoothly and for others there is unnecessary conflict. It is peculiar how one person can have grand experiences with little or no adversity while others are left completely disenchanted. However, such is life. I will tell you up front that if I had the chance to go back and do the lease thing again, knowing what I know now, I would not.

That said, I know up front that not everyone is going to agree with my point-of-view completely. However, as you read this, keep in mind a few things ..one I am not the management of the apartment complex and so I will not give you a speech of how the Mansions by the Vineyard is a member of the Texas Apartment Association nor the National Apartment Association (which by the way is geared to covering the property owners not the tenants). Also, I will not tell you that you should take all of the posted negative commentary with a grain of salt because the poster is most likely a disgruntled current or former tenant. Please try and remember that with an adversarial position one is not always incorrect about what is being said and when enough people are saying the say thing...it is no longer diatribe it is probably cured with fact.

My hope here is that you will be willing to at least entertain the idea that what I have to offer you is clearly based upon my own experiences and personal belief. I am a current resident of the Mansions by the Vineyard and have resided here since April of 2007. Before moving into the Mansions by the Vineyard, I was impressed. Since moving here not so much! In a nutshell, since moving into the Mansions by the Vineyard, it is my impression that I am paying an absurd amount for just a basic apartment ; nothing special. Sadly, I feel that I have thrown my money away when I should have put it towards the purchase of my own home. Excitedly it is what my future holds and what I will be doing at the end of this lease.

For me, when I live somewhere, I would like to see that if I pay my rent that the community functions without interruption to me (as the tenant), however, that has not always been the case during my tenancy here. While I understand that the (owners) community has opted to renovate, I opted for no such renovations. I did so because I did not want to have to remove all my belongings from the apartment, place them into a garage, continue paying rent based on the renovation rates (not market rate)(and by the way, did you ever ask who really calculates market rates' What is that anyway')(get ready, because someone will post this eloquent answer of how the property/corporate calculates rates based upon market analysis...but they will not give you any information beyond the statement and will not tell you what mindless professional stands behind the term), anyway.........and live offsite (or in another lesser unit) while the renovations took place. I knew that I would have the older amenities inside of the apartment, however, even with that option, I have been constantly interrupted with what the community needs to do to complete their upgrades.

But you want to know about the apartments, not Mansions, right' The inside of the apartment is just that a split level apartment. Bigger than some, smaller than others. I am not sure what new carpet they are putting down, but the older carpet which has resided here for only slightly longer than I, is nothing special. The carpet is being replaced as a part of the renovations. I will tell you that from the first day we moved into the apartment the edge of the entry way apartment carpet began to fray from the high traffic area. It isn t the highest of quality and I fear that we will be hit upon move out, despite the fact that they will be tearing it out and replacing it with hard wood floors or updated/upgraded carpet anyway.

Beyond the interruptions, the apartment features are nice, but I would have to ask anyone considering renting here why they would do so when they could afford their own house for the same amount (if not for less). The newer units are being updated and for many this will be a plus. The air-conditioning units are being replaced or have been replaced and the community indicates that they are trying to make the units as energy efficient as possible. Still, I will tell you that our air-conditioning unit runs from $125-300 depending on the climate. The person stating that they paid no more than $80.00 either was never home or did not run their unit (heat or cooling) regularly and probably had a one bedroom unit.

On the topic of other amenities, the main pool is always too packed to enjoy on the weekends or during the summer; and most of the time I do not feel comfortable taking my daughter to the main pool area since there are some regular adults that drink and act rather inappropriately on a regular basis. The back pool isn t well kept and/or is frequently out of commission. In my opinion, the tennis court is also poorly kept.

As mentioned above there are several tenants (dubbed the party and popular tenants) who interact well with the management and staff. Am I jealous, hardly! And, I only bring it up since it appears that all of these tenants are very happy to reside here. Then there are the regular tenants who management and staff may or may not speak to outside of the office.

Like many of the comments posted on this site, I rarely ever receive a polite hello from the manager while she is on property and rarely communicate with her unless I specifically ask to speak with her by telephone or when I enter the office. I would like to offer that should you want to go beyond the property management in an effort to remedy any situation, you must do so in writing (by letter or via the internet) and I will tell you that in my one time doing so it was not received well. Suffice it to say that corporate covers management with no admissions that anything could be done better or should be done differently. Sadly, where have the days of personal customer service escaped'

As for management, do I feel she is intently impolite' Not really, I just get the feeling that I am not important enough for her to acknowledge or consider during her day. Simply put, once the lease is signed and you pay your rent, you just don t matter. As for the commentary about management and her personal pets yes I have observed the same demeanor with regard to what others have posted here. She rarely stops to speak with anyone and rarely, if ever, cleans up after her dog, but then neither do most of the tenants. In a nutshell I would agree that the staff is friendly when you are signing the lease, but not so much afterwards, and while I can agree that they are present to manage and enforce rules, I just believe that there is a human way of doing things. And, I should point out that it is my opinion not all of the rules are enforced, or they pick and choose who and when to enforce them.

As for the property itself there are some rather large speed bumps placed throughout the community, but it does not deter the traffic from traveling a bit too fast. When I have complained or commented I have been told to call the police since there is nothing management can do. Also there is the aggravation that most tenants just ignore the stop signs. Not always safe for the children.

While there is a curfew, as stated in the lease addendum, it is not enforced and there are always groups of teenagers walking the property frequently between midnight and four in the morning during the summer, but less during the school year. Again, when I have complained to the staff I am told to call the police. I just wish the gated community actually gave the privacy and quietness supposedly offered at this community.

The community offers you security tips on how to keep yourself and property safe, but presently they have hired many contractors/sub contractors, whom they accept no responsibility for, to handle the grounds and the work required. Oh they are bonded but again they are not the responsibility of the property nor is their negligence, if any. Routinely, when I have been instructed by the property staff and management to allow contracted personnel to perform their work, only to find personal damages to property or to have my doors left open to the general public. Again, remember, the subcontractors and/or contractors are bonded, but no one has seen the bonding information, management will not provide you with company information to check bonding, will not provide you with information as to the personnel hired or obtained to complete an assignment, and management/corporate accept no responsibility for contractors.

Supposedly, there are pet restrictions but I wouldn't know that by looking at the miniature horses which leave onsite and I am not aware of any onsite laundry facility other than the laundry service which I hear is over-priced and not as convenient as management would want you to believe.

One last point I would offer ..area apartment guides indicate that my floor plan rental begins at $1625; however, when I renewed my lease (to wait for my new home to be ready) I pay more than a person newly coming in off the street. When I asked about the differences in the rates posted and the ones quoted, I was told that the community/property/corporate did not permit their rates to be advertised or listed in area community guides so that they would not accommodate the rates posted in such materials. If the rates are accurate ..it leads me to think ..are the current residents really appreciated'

Yes, as a tenant I obviously have concerns about living here. I feel that I am paying out my hard earned money for not only a place to lay my head, but most importantly for services supposedly offered by the property. I know that they do try in some areas, but I feel that they fall short far more times than not.

Simply put there are obvious areas that could be improved upon with regard to the living arrangements at the Mansions by the Vineyard. Though as offered earlier, there are always three sides to every story.....yours, mine and the truth. You have mine. The apartment community will tell you that they comply with the TAA and NAA lease and policies. But, you must decide what truth you might want to believe.

Based upon reading this message board, and others, as well as, my personal dealings with management and corporate, I also have much concern about the moving out aspect of my lease. I have heard from many former residents how hard they were hit with charges and found this to be most surprising considering that the inside of their units were well kept and clean upon surrender of the keys. I can only be hopeful that the experiences expressed by many will not prove to be true for me, and that for once management will do what is right for the tenant, and that I will not find myself faced with colossal charges or set offs.


Yours truly,
NOT a disgruntled tenant, just one that wants to be treated respectfully and in a professional business manner while receiving a service for a decent price.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/02/2008
I am glad to see you brought up the partying residents. When I come home in the evening, often time, there is a large congregation of tenants who choose to sit outside their garage, with the garage door open, and party/drink. Often time they are drunk and loud. They even BBQ out front (which reminds me of a trailer home community). I have never said a word to management because often time they are sitting right along with them, drunk. I have even see them yell at passing cars. And in another review, they mentioned the gossipy nature of management. It is true. I have heard them tell personal business of residents to other residents. They will tell if you have credit problems, legal problems, even relationship problems (ie getting divorced). I personally keep a distance from them at all costs. I have been here 8 months and will not renew when my lease is up. But after reading here, I am terrified they will gouge me.
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/02/2008
I wonder have you ever had a drink? or a bbq. I see thoes people out front as well, but I dont see a problem with it. they are always polite and never cause trouble. im sure they pay rent just like myself and you do. why should they not be able to have a few drinks with friends and eat? As far as the staff. I personally have never seen them up front unless they are throwing a resident function . And have spoken with all staff members at my time at the mansions as well as other residents, with no mention of other peoples gossip or personal business. furthermore, when i signed my lease here there is a page concerning construction to update the community and make it better for not just us but euless as well. Maybe you just made a bad choise for you. or you did not read your paper work when signing a lease. ( i hope for you when buying a house you would) but the community as a whole is GREAT!!!!!!
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/07/2008
The problem with the drinking out in public is that I do not approve of my daughter having to walk past to go swimming. I had one of the drunken middle aged men comment on my 12 yo daughters "attractiveness", which is so wholely inappropriate. I also so not want to hear the drunken shreiks, which are often loud and carry. People have homes and patios/balconies. There should be NO reason for them to sit in the public area and get drunk.
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/12/2008
Also, thank you for your reply. First off, you made a review and made specific comments on a group of people. Let me assure you, I???m not sitting back thinking everyone wants to join my group. Like I said previously, I???m just enjoying my neighbors. Secondly, I don???t care what you think of our get togethers, but I???m always up to defend myself or others against people who are hypercritical as yourself. To answer your question, I think the comment ???trailer park sheik??? is insulting. Is that not how you meant it? Maybe I took it wrong. How was my reply posted in a spirit of meanness? How did I attack? Did I not explain the reason there is often a group of neighbors bbqing? Did I not respond to the comment that the staff was out there drinking? Did I not respond to the person talking about her 12 year old daughter? I responded to direct comments that were previously made.
From: Conniepooka	Date: 07/21/2008
I have posted positive comments before and I feel as a long term resident, I of all people should know the mangager and the property very well. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Stephanie
From: ALStewart2	Date: 07/22/2008
For the post of 07/12/2008, you are correct, I did make a review and I did make a comment about the group that routinely and frequently hold get togethers just beyond the gate. Like you, I do not care what you think about my opinions, but unlike you I don???t feel the need to defend my actions. They are as they are. As for my words of choice, I can see how you may have taken them as insulting. I personally just found it as a term to convey the picture to the unknown person. You ask if you did not respond to direct comments that were previously made, and with your question in mind, I find that you attacked and demeaned another person for their opinions/impressions/evaluations. Does that make your response any more correct? My answer would be no. You include in your response that you are defending you and your friends? I would wonder why you feel the need to do so. Beyond that, didn???t you spawn discord with your original response of ???I wonder if you have ever had a drink? Or bbq???? It is my opinion that you attacked. I can decipher nothing less by the statement I should go start a commune. Anyway, as previously stated, and not that you need anyone's permission, please by all means enjoy your grouping and bbqing, and know that there is no disagreement that you and your co-Mansion friends have every right to live and play as you so desire. However, my right, is to provide an independent review that says that there are routinely a group of persons (dubbed the party and popular tenants) frequently partying and bbqing just beyond the gate. Further, it is my right to inform a perspective tenant that I make this statement based upon my own personal experiences. This is NOT a community where I have felt everyone gets along with everyone. For those that I mentioned frequently socialize beyond the gate, I feel instead of being warm and inviting to all of the neighbors, the group stares you down and makes you feel as if you are invading their territory. Do I feel that everyone has a right to engage in socialization and drinking and barbecuing? Sure! Go for it, but my trailer park sheik comment comes from the fact that as a co-tenant I am made to feel that I am invading your territory instead of enjoying my home. Now if that comment offends you, again perhaps instead of personally attacking me you should look inward and find out why people outward see your group as standoffish or rude. For the post of 07/21/2008, I promise you that I am not casting stones. I do not feel that I am better person than my neighbor nor do I feel that I am more righteous; however I do feel that my opinions, made here, are correct based upon my experiences. My review is based upon my experiences of this apartment community and my personal thoughts about the living environment as a whole. My negative comments are no better or worse than your positive ones. They are built upon my tenure at the Mansions by the Vineyard, and while you may have lived here longer, it doesn???t negate my experiences. While it is fine to know that not everyone has had the experiences I have had or others have different thoughts as to the grounds themselves. It seems questionable to me that the majority of the rebuttal commentary goes to me as a person. As if somehow I should be ashamed of what I said, but I don???t think so. I am not defending my opinions in this forum. I feel no need. If you have harbored personal resentment to any of the statements here, then ask yourself why? If then you feel you act in a manner you may feel proud about then go with it. As everyone has clearly mentioned, we as individuals, have the right to live in the manner we so choose. Well almost???even to that we all have limitations, legal and otherwise. Truthfully, to any perspective tenants, the groups have little to do with this apartment community of which my original review was based. My opinions and evaluation are based on solely my experiences. And it is my opinion that just because you have lived here for more than five or 10 years it does not mean that the experiences or opinions of someone who has lived here for a shorter time is inaccurate. As for any future comments that are made here, my opinion is my opinion and I won't be bullied into retracting what my experiences at the community have been or not have been. This is not casting stones, this is giving an evaluation. I will not respond to further comments on this board. My evaluation of the property stands. I do not feel that my apartment is a mansion. The rental rates are outrageous for what you receive and I do feel that there are deals to be found at other communities. I do not feel the back pool areas are well maintained, and I feel the front/main pool is frequently over-crowded by regular drinkers and partiers and/or just plainly over-crowded. I do not feel that it is a community environment where I would freely allow my daughter to just run around, gated or otherwise. In fact, my daughter has had many unfavorable experiences just walking to the apartment when the bus drops her off from school in the afternoon so much that I do not prefer to allow her to roam about as I had hoped she could do. The gates are frequently open which allows for anyone to enter the property. These are comments related directly towards the apartment community. While I could offer others about the maintenance and remodeling, I will leave the original comments to speak for themselves.
From: robinsca	Date: 07/31/2008
Wow! I am really glad this site is here. We are looking to move from out of state to Texas this September and this WAS my top property. Their website is awesome and the apartments look wonderful, but the tentants make it livable, or not. There are just too many underlining issues that are not being resolved. Management needs to make some drastic changes, but I don't think they are willing. There is no way I would move my family into such a place and if it was not for this site, we would have. Thank you, all of you, for preventing us from making a huge mistake.
From: Anonymous	Date: 08/01/2008
You will get ripped off when you move out! Just watch!
From: Anonymous	Date: 04/15/2009
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! My family and I are looking for a new apartment, relocators from Chicago. We are not satified with our current renting situation and are saving for a home in 2010. We do not believe we can stay in our current situation but do not want to leave a bad apartment complex to move into one that is worse. I agree with ROBINSCA that the tenants make the apartment (a home) and if the Mansions are not "a home" I dont want any part! Thank you again for your eloquent review (very fair, in my opinion) and detailed. The items you discussed were exactly my main concerns (pet droppings, management, and neighbors). The grass is always greener, eh....

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