Schooner Bay Apartment

Current Resident 309603

Resident • 2024 - 2026

DO NOT MOVE HERE!!!!! THE COMPLAINTS ARE REAL AND NIGHTMARISH!

As stated in other reviews, maintenance requests are ignored until something is dire as in --this week a leak in an apartment damaged 3 apartments and now they must knock into the walls while offering nothing to residents that are trying to enjoy a peaceful existence that we are PAYING FOR. How in the world is it habitable to live with ongoing construction in our units!!!! Not to mention, most units have all windows leaking and this is ignored. The City will be coming out today to inspect as the fire department and police were at the complex March 29 due to the significant leak. Any Equity Residential emergency calls go somewhere, seems to be an offshore call center. Equity Residential property management appears to desire a class action lawsuit. This is one result they seem to be striving to achieve. They have achieved this result in the past.

Current Resident 350508

Resident • 2022 - 2024

DO NOT MOVE IN HERE - STAY AWAY

DO NOT MOVE IN HERE - THIS PLACE IS A NIGHTMARE. STAY AWAY FROM SCHOONER BAY. We have stayed for 5+ years in Chicago and have NEVER faced anything similar. 1. Maintenance is HORRIBLE and NON-EXISTENT. They took 3+ months to replace a dishwasher with absolutely 0 communication from the office. They will charge you extravagant rental rates for their amenities, but when trouble shows up, they are NOT PRESENT. When our toilet was leaking, maintenance didn't show up for DAYS together, and DID NOT FIX the problem after showing up. 2. Leasing office NEVER RESPONDS. They ignore messages, have NEVER responded to emails, and DO NOT answer calls. They DO NOT answer calls for 2+ weeks. There is no way to reach the leasing office. They will also make false promises on call, but do not deliver anything that they mention orally. 3. The community manager Brittannye is non-responsive. The 1 or 2 times she has responded to our calls in OVER a MONTH, she takes ZERO accountability, makes it all YOUR fault and provides ZERO solutions to any troubles you are facing. 4. We were scammed into paying a $3000+ non-refundable deposit DESPITE having a great credit score and a nice stable job, and being accepted at other properties. They will NOT tell you that you WILL have to pay this non-refundable deposit amount EVERY single year you renew. ZERO transparency, and their policies are unethical. If you move into a new unit, you will be re-screened, but they will not allow you to re-screen on the same unit. When asked WHY, they do not have an explanation as to why such an unethical policy exists. If someone moves in and renews for 10 years, their assumption is that the person's file and status has not changed over 10 years. This is what they conveyed to us on call. We have filed a complaint against them on BBB for their unethical policies and are proceeding with legal action. 5. They will try to charge you 300$+ on renewal. Their renewal team is separate, so they will NOT have knowledge about all the inconveniences faced during your stay. 6. There are 100s of complaints on the portal from residents every day. These are ignored, NOTHING is ever done to address a single comment. 7. Their laundry machines are from the 19th century, and they install newer machines in some apartments and ignore the others. The trash collection policy is ONCE every week, which is something to be afraid of. Most neighbors have overflowing bins and trash bags outside their door because of the policy. 8. Most of the times the lagoon is filled with trash, the pools are very unclean, and water will flood into your apartment if you live on a lower floor. Leaf blowers will blow leaves directly in your apartment patio. 9. AGAIN, the leasing office DOES NOT care about you. You will be ignored for WEEKS TOGETHER with unanswered calls, and they will never respond on email. Equity Corporate does not help. Any inconvenience you may face will be heavily ignored. 10. Our move-in was horrible. Leasing office doesn't care. Maintenance does not exist. This has been the worst experience of our rental history. 11. The properties that were open 1 year ago are still open. We keep seeing people move out, there is a reason WHY this is happening. They do not value their residents and DO NOT want you to renew. If you are a sane person, STAY AWAY. All residents have similar complaints, and post these daily on the portal, which are IGNORED or DELETED by Brittannye. Schooner Bay and Equity have UNETHICAL policies, and we will take strong legal action against them for exploiting us and our tenant rights, failing to provide ANY maintenance, and failing to provide the bare minimum anyone can expect. BEWARE of Schooner Bay.

Noelle_G616

Resident • 2022 - 2023

Poor maintenance, little support

Poor maintenance of older apartments, frequent leaks and apartment flooding, no rent credits or help when it happens or if you need to move. I experienced flooding from a broken water heater, then faulty pipes in the wall after. When the storm came through that caused additional flooding, too. Lots of personal property damage and the extended exposure to mold/mildew caused health problems. Little to no support from the staff. Best to consider a second floor apartment only or another apartment complex.

Current Resident 566540

Resident • 2018 - 2020

Pros: My 2nd floor apartment faces the pond and the fountain is turned on everyday at 7:50am - which is nice if you want to wake up to the sound of water and see the birds bathing. Peaceful environment and nice cozy view from the bedroom window if you are facing the water. Love the high ceiling setting on the 2nd floor unit and it's enough enough for 1 person who is low maintenance. Lots of sun light (my windows are facing the west). Cons: The buildings are old and not renovated, so the structure is very basic. No AC, no heating, fireplace doesn't warm up the unit in the winter, and paints on the patio and doors are scratched. Biggest caveat is that there're LOTS of spiders and mosquitos. Spiders started to nest on my car. Like the birds in the neighborhood, but you need to wash your car often with what they drop. Water leakage happen often, breakers drop also from time to time, and some ledge in the kitchen start to fall apart. Service does come to fix them in time. Laundry machines are very outdated, but when I asked if they can remove so I can install more modern version out of my own expense, the space is too small to place any new models. (the clothes still get clean and dried so not a detrimental concern) Ventilation can use more free services - lots of dusts accumulate and hard to clean on my own. My neighbor has a grumpy dog and let it bark on the patio which is not Schooner's fault but another caveat.

Langy

Resident • 2013 - 2015

Maintenance is not very good at all. When a service call is put in, they always take care of it in 24 hours. I put in a service request on Dec. 6, and today is Dec. 10, it request has not been taken care of yet. I needed a light in the kitchen replaced and when I called the front desk, I was told because I am not an emergency, I was considered low priority. It sure made me feel like this place is not worth the rent you pay, which is high. It seems like a earthquake with the tenants that live above me. They have no concept of how much noise they make. I filled out a survey with Equity and nothing has changed. Your only allowed to sign a years lease; once it's up, they offer you a new one with an increase in rent of $250 - $300. No one lets you know this.

Current Resident 863601

Resident • 2014

Just moved in about a month. Staff were helpful and courteous. Had a couple of issues with the fridge and closet but they were all fixed in no time. Thanks ------, keep it up. Expected to enjoy a little break after maintaining our own house for ages.

Current Resident 541081

Resident • 2013 - 2014

I've lived here for almost 3 months. What a mistake. While the nice grounds and location may lull you into thinking that you've moved into a quiet area this may not be the case. I have a lower level apartment and I can constantly hear the people walking above me. It's not just the noise of them walking but also the vibration of their feet on the floor. it's horrible. Just absolutely horrible. When I was looking at the apartment I asked the representative about being able to hear the tenants above me and she said no. Well you were wrong!!!! Now I must endure this noise until I move out. Which won't be soon enough. In addition to hearing the people walking, you can hear the water running, the doors slamming and the toilet seat being dropped. So much for sound proofing!! Apparently there is non. Other than that I don't have any major issues. Parking can be a problem though. However, when you're paying good money to have an apartment and you're constantly being kept awake by the tenants above you it's a serious issue. It's probably not their fault, the place is just poorly constructed. I've read other reviews and people have said the same thing. So think twice about moving into a lower level apartment. No doubt you'll be hating it like I do.

sijojose

Resident • 2012 - 2013

not worth for the money you pay...if you sign up for a short term lease, and when you review, they will jack up the rent to the hell.... and also , i am here for last 4 months, and washing machine broke up 4 times. When i was here, first time, noticed that, the kitchen sink was not connected underneath and water was flowing out.... , and it took 2 days to get it fixed.. ------ at the leasing office is good... but ----- deals with you like you are at his mercy.... One good thing i like is that, the maintenance crew is nice and friendly... the area is beautiful..still i will not recommend since you have to pay a damn high price....... and also , some apts do not have parking other than garage..since there is a fire line.. so, if you have to unload the shopping stuff..or whatever you can not park your car outside....only inside garage...(and the garage door is not automatic....and opening and closing each time is a pain and also, there is no parking space outside ..it is always full..so , if you have a friend coming, good luck for him to get the parking outside.

1Daniel

Prospect • Visited 2013

Please contact me as soon as possible regarding a lease that was cancelled without my knowledge. 650 922 2974

CLance

Resident • 2011 - 2013

I live at Schooner Bay with my son. The location is wonderful and the grounds peaceful. The one downside: nearby parking is a bit skimpy but the lagoons are beautiful and the geese and ducks are fun to watch. Additionally, service has been prompt and the staff are friendly and helpful. One could easily walk to Oracle along the bike path and the Boulevard leading to the site is a main two-lane roadway. Crime is low in Foster City and the police respond within aprox three minutes to most calls (I know, I was a cop here). Highly recommended.

Current Resident 328821

Resident • 2011

Aggressive rent increases

Yes it is true - these guys know how to gouge upon lease renewal. Even in a declining rental market a few years ago, they raised rent on existing tenants 10 - 15% per year. Finally we found a better place for much less money. I will say SB's maintenance staff was good, once management decided to return your phone call, which might be never (I recommend going to the office in person with maintenance requests).

Current Resident 399877

Resident • 2010 - 2011

Rip off!

Rent jumped 20% after a one year lease to renew another 12 months. Month-to-month the asking rate was nearly 40% higher! While the grounds are nicely manicured, it is very deceiving to actually live here. The units are quite old with very basic updates. Our top CONS are the lack of insulation, no AC and lots of spiders. If you like screaming kids, barking dogs, smoke wafting up from your neighbors, oven-hot units in the summer and freezer-like units in the winter - then you have found your home. Sorry, not worth the money in my opinion. It is barely worth what we are paying now and definitely not worth an additional $900 a month. Be careful, they raise the rent every time you are up for renewal and it is a big chunk each time!

Current Resident 101040

Resident • 2009 - 2011

Great for one year - don't stay longer

Schooner Bay is the best apartment complex in the Foster City/Fashion Island area, but Equity Residential, the owners are very well known for large rent increases in an effort at turning the property clientele within 3 years. I am just finishing my 2nd year at Schooner Bay, and have very much enjoyed the property, the quiet, the bike trail, etc. However, my rent went up $300/month at the end of year 1, and now, $500/month at the end of year two. In essence the excuse is to upgrade the apartment, and the choice isn't mine. I have been told the upgrade is mandatory, and "...along with the apartment upgrades, come this lease increase for your lovely new apartment." However, I was offered the upgrade for $240/month increase one year ago. It also puts my apartment over market for the Foster City area, but the other properties base their market value on Schooner Bay, the highest in the area, and so they tend to raise in conjunction with Schooner Bay. Therefore you'll see the really substandard apartments, like Beach Cove, also climbing way over their value. Schooner Bay/Equity Residential sets the pricing for Foster City, and so if you're reading this, don't rent in Foster City. There are apartments just as good, and several hundred dollars per month less, not that far away.

Current Resident 770705

Resident • 2011

Schooner Bay is a health hazard

Unfortunately my family and I signed a lease in one of the updated units of Schooner Bay, and wasted $1000 to find out the unit was infested by wasps. :( Back story: We were told fixes were made to the building to avoid pests and such. So we signed a lease for a unit we really liked, and paid the exorbitant $220 holding fee. We left a few boxes, turned on the heater to relax a while and then went back to our current residence. We returned about a week later to finish the move... but were greeted by a swarm of wasps in the master bedroom. They had entered in through the vents. Clearly there was a nest in there. Maintenance cleaned out the dead ones... as if that were enough. (As we moved out a couple more wasps flew in, sigh.) We exercised the 30 day money back guarantee, but that ONLY gave us back the prorated amount. We still paid the $220 holding fee for the unit (now a joke), $70 app fees for my husband and I, and the time spend owning the keys to the unit (since we never actually lived in it.) of about $700. Overall the total was about $1000 wasted. Sigh. =( Listen to the bad feedback on yelp and other review sites, and don't waste your time and money on this place.

steamfitter

Resident • 2011

very surprised

my wife and i are very pleased with this complex,seeing all that surrounds this entire area;it is the best place to rent bar none.

Current Resident 233913

Resident • 2010

The WORST EVER!

This is by far the worst property I have ever lived at. Bad construction, horrible service and the most expensive in the area. STAY AWAY!

Current Resident 22710

Resident • 2010

Would you sign a 12 months lease in Hell?

Stay away from these people.. Absolutely not recommended. This place became a nightmare for me. They will keep adding late payment fees even if you pay your rent on time! They won't try to understand their mistake and will keep spamming your door with threatened mail saying that you failed paying the rent on time and that you owe them a bunch of extra money. It will keep growing over and over until you pay off these extra fees that came out of nowhere. People at the office are completely unrespectful. As an example, they told me when I was trying to get away from my apartment that they only care about the money, not the people. That was natural for this lady who I was talking to. Overpriced place, old, crappy and humid. Inside everything looks old.. smells old. You can close the windows you won't find any difference. It's up to you guys. I am completely shocked by the people who manage the property. There are bad and vicious... The biggest mistake I've made so far in my life was to sign a 12months lease in hell. Stay away from this crappy place and go sign a lease that you won't regret in a better place managed by smart and friendly people. Can't be worse than here.

kittycat007

Resident • 2008 - 2010

Dirty

I cleaned that apartment spotless including monthly carpet cleaning. When I moved out they kept my deposit and still charged me for carpet cleaning and repainting.

Current Resident 645822

Resident • 2009 - 2010

Rents are High, Service is Poor

Beware, once your in for a year, they will jack your rent up, and they don't care if you have been a long time resident or not. The management is never available and phone calls are seldom answered. The upgrades have finally been done to some of the units but the rents do not reflect if you are living in an older unit. The first concern is to get the most out of renters that the market will bear while giving no consideration to the confition of the units. Beware of old leaky gas stoves.

Current Resident 521206

Resident • 2009 - 2010

Night mare!!!!!!!!

Nightmare! Nasty Management. Leaf Blowers in the early morning hours,, Great if you like the smell of dog poop wafting through the apartment!

Current Resident 795051

Resident • 2010

You have the good and the bad but I love it here!

I love this place I have been here almost a year and I am resigning my lease when it comes due for sure. I love the location the fact that I can walk my dogs and feel safe. I only have one complaint and that is when people move here and are actually mad about the animals!!!!! If they didn't notice when they toured the place this is definately a pet friendly place and bird friendly! If you don't like that don't move here!!!! Its a great place they are remodeling all the units and I am super excited to move into one.... get rid of the 70's on with the new..... I do wish they would have done something about the windows though. The apartments do get a lil drafty in the winter. The washer and dryers are great to have but kind of suck because the lint duct get clogged and you half to run them twice until maintenance comes. One great thing I can say is I never hear my neighbors.... Its a great community for condo living. Parking sucks tho but almost everywhere I have lived does :)

Current Resident 46445

Resident • 2008 - 2009

I agree with this guy, it is all true - High rent and shabby "slum lords"

I have lived at Schooner Bay for a while, and would never recommend it to anybody I like or care about! The interiors are terribly run down. The carpet is the cheapest, shabbiest available. The windows are single pane and very drafty. The heating is poorly placed and blows unclean air. They never put in a new appliance until the old one explodes and floods your apartment, damaging or ruining your furnishings. The staff could care less about any problems that arise (from noisy neighbors to rats in the walls), excepting the maintenance staff, who are wonderful. One family complained that their neighbor was smoking pot, and the fumes were blowing into their baby's room from outside. The manager said, "Not my kid, why should I care'" They regularly lose tenants' rent checks, and say they take no responsibility for the lost payments. Some checks are later found, but they won't tell you if that occurs (although one honest employee did notify a tenant, whose rent was lost, that the the check had been found under the manager's desk, and was fired for it). Sometimes they even cash the lost check, and deny having done so. The rent increases are insane, once in excess of $400/month, and they are very uncooperative about negotiations. Recently they have decided that pet rent will increase from $50 per apartment (for up to 2 pets) to $50 per pet! Some people may have to give up their pets to be able to afford the rent! No other complex on the peninsula does that. You'd think in this economic climate, they'd be a little more customer friendly - WRONG! And there are a lot of empty units, besides. I have never encountered a management style that was so unfriendly to the customers in my life. This place has the ability to be a nice, peaceful place to live - with a solid feeling of community. It is set right on the bay trail, is convenient to shopping and activities. But don't fall for the superficial trappings! It is not worth it! Read more: http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/CA-Foster-City-Schooner-Bay-Condominium-881609.html#ixzz0U7Bu3kNC

Current Resident 805329

Resident • 1999 - 2001

Brisk rent increases and snworms

Had a bad experience there. Schooner Bay raises the price with every renewal, even when market rates are falling. The office employees are told to say, "that's market rate". No it isn't. So glad we moved and got better value elsewhere. Also, we will never forget the amphibian creature that slithered around the sliding glass patio door and came into the bedroom. It was multicolored, mostly orange, about 6" long and flat. It had no pronounced head so it didn't look like a snake. It wasn't fast like a snake, either. I guess it was a long worm.

WhiteEagle

Resident • 2010

White Eagle

Sorry to disappoint but I'm a resident, not an employee. Some of the complaints are valid, although some perspective may help. A bad neighbor is something management can do very little about. As for the old construction, the place is getting upgrades as units become vacant (or tenants elect to have it done). I loved the 1970's Porno Film reference and the style of building certainly matches, although it makes me wonder about their taste in furniture, not to mention films (I like the ones shot outdoors). The ponds were all drained, resurfaced and concrete borders (made to look 'earthen) installed. It was a pain in the --- during construction with the results worth waiting for. The main pool and spa were remodeled with the same planned for the pool and spa by the gym this spring (or so I'm told). The remodeled gym is quite nice with a few tweaks required regarding maintenance (outside contractor) and the TV sound system needed. Of course it was a pain while being done and project management left something to be desired - BUT AT LEAST THEY DID IT! So, as my 'review' was questioned, following is some clarification. I'd also add that these judgments are relative to the overall market in this area which is already ridiculously expensive to begin with. The amenities at Schooner Bay that we like may not fit your likes and dislikes. Parking is 'Ample', especially when considering each unit has a one car garage with storage cabinets. 'Minimal Noise' means just that. Each building has 8 units with semi-private entrances. We live on the ground floor and some noise from above in inevitable. The grounds are very well kept albeit over-watered. It's like living close to a park and being on the Bay Trail seems to enhance the feeling of being a bit separated from the madding crowd. If you like to sleep in during the week the leaf blowers can be a real pain in the ---. Safety has never been an issue I'm aware of, and the Foster City PD responds quickly on the rare occasions they're called. There is an issue with non-residents having easy access to our facilities, one of the drawbacks to having desirable facilities. Construction is excellent, considering it was done in the 70's. 9' ceilings, fireplaces, ample storage and well though-out layouts indicate attention to detail and a desire to be a cut above at the time. The upgrades being made are significant with new cabinets and better lighting among them. Maintenance is excellent, compared to many places we've been. Calls are answered quickly and repairs usually done correctly. There's a guarantee of timely service with free rent for each day they're 'past-due'. The Staff has been generally pretty good, fortunately with few exceptions. Overall, when compared to what's out there Schooner Bay does a good job - especially for an Eastern owned company. Not perfect yet definitely in the upper echelon in this area. I know several residents who've been here for 10 years and longer. I know others who've left after 6 months or a year. Complaining and badmouthing stuff is easy. I prefer balance and hopefully this provides a little. Overall I give Schooner Bay 3-1/2 Stars out of 5 and working on 4. White Eagle

Current Resident 292248

Resident • 2006 - 2009

Nice Complex

I lived here a few years go, and was curious what people said about this place as I am searching for my new one. I am now not sure whether I should take people's reviews too seriously. I loved living in Schooner Bay, it had nice grounds, and was tucked away next to the bay and the levee. We lived in a two story apt, so maybe that's why I didn't see the noise problem...I never heard any noise at all in the three years I lived there. I don't really depend on maintenance staff or office workers too much, so maybe that's why I don't have any complaints in that regard, but they did let me in the house when I locked myself out a few times, so maybe that's why I never noticed their rudeness. Overall the place was clean, and I kind of miss it. It had a great layout that I have never found in future apartments.