Initially, I was blown away with Willina Ranch, and to be honest, even when my husband and I decided to leave, it was with trepidation and heartbreak. We had just renewed our lease when certain circumstances made the move necessary. We also had just replanted our mini garden outside of our patio complete with stepping stones, river rock and wrought iron landscape trim. One of our joys of living at "The Ranch" was that first floor residency offered up alittle bit of a planter to play in.

I found the location as a secret shopper about a year before and was so impressed with it that when my husband and I decided it was time to move into a better place than we were in, I told him he HAD to come look at Willina with me.

Our neighbors immediately adjacent and in neighboring buildings became quick and steadfast friends. Even if not everyone was as social, there was always a nod and wave hello in passing at the absolute minimum. Several of us had fairly regular get togethers over dinner or appetizers and a drink sitting on one balcony or patio or another. It was a community that we were very happy to be a part of.

There were management changes in the time that we were there. The first generation was the one that I actually "shopped" and although there were some things that they could have worked on, they were efficient, friendly and fair. The next generation had growing pains to be sure. Honestly, at first, I did not like or get along with the manager of that generation until after countless complaints of people using the complex driveway as a cut through to avoid the light at 112th, especially after they opened that Christian school down the street (why is it that those parents aren't so Christian when they are confronted about breaking a law'). I with a number of our neighbors would turn in lists of license plates numbers to the office and after such a response from the residents, I came home from work to see the poor gal jumping out in front of cars cutting through and telling them that what they were doing was illegal. She earned her weight in respect from me for being proactive. Shortly after that, it was not uncommon to see a sheriff parked at the bottom of the drive off of 160th during rush hour.

We were in the process of negotiating our lease renewal when the next management generation took over. We had our rates and perks negotiated and then had to start over because they were not honored by the new staff. In fairness to the new staff, although the rate was higher than was agreed prior to them taking the reins, we agreed to the terms and signed a new lease. Maintenance was in within the week to paint the accent wall and install the new veggie sprayer on the kitchen faucet, and they did an awesome job as they always did. Hubby and I had just spent several hundred at Molbaks to refresh the planter and everything was good.

We had a personal situation that required us to break the new lease and move. That is where the issues began... Not at first, really. As a matter of fact, we were encouraged by a "pre-move-out inspection" by a member of the maintenance staff who told us that our apartment was in better shape than most, well maintained and very clean. Unfortunately, when we turned over the apartment, no one in the management staff was willing to take the time to do a walk through with us present. A couple of weeks later, we received a bill that certainly got my attention...

Now, mind you... My husband and I have lived through some of the worst apartment rental experiences that one could imagine including total lack of maintenance, extensive mold etc. (Reply to this post if you really want to know!) Prior to moving to WA State we did EXTENSIVE research on the landlord tenant law and actually were able to get a deposit returned when we moved to Willina based on that knowledge. We ALWAYS keep our home clean, although we are smokers, we do not smoke inside the apartment, our cat is almost more particular than us... Whenever we have moved, we consult with maintenance about their preferred methods for patching holes from pictures, we bleach EVERYTHING... My husband seems to enjoy getting on his hands and knees to spot clean any stain even if it was there before we moved in. (And one item to note, when we moved into our unit in 2004, we were told that it was original carpet from when the complex opened in 2000.) <-- We got charged for carpet cleaning/replacement, hole repairs, cleaning, painting... To the tune of almost $600.

When I called the number on the statement, which of course was not to the management office of Willina Ranch, I was put in touch with the absolute most condescending, arrogant and ignorant man I had nearly EVER encountered. As some of the previous posts mentioned, he also threatened me and wished me luck should I decide to sue. He was SO arrogant to tell me in response to my argument that he was trying to charge for "normal wear and tear" and that is against WA law, "That is a matter of perspective."

Due to a job relocation, my husband and I are now looking at relocating again. If not for the experience with HSC main office, we would have considered returning... But not as long as a certain someone remains on the staff. No amount of convenience, and unfortunately even community is worth subjecting yourself to that much and that kind of abuse.

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