Aventine at Fort Totten, A Greystar Avana Community

Current Resident 24235

Verified Resident • 2011 - 2013

I lived at Fort Totten...

I lived at Fort Totten for 3 years in the main building. I've lived in many apartment buildings around the area and this is one I would classify as mediocre. It isn't the worst but it's far from the best. The noise is probably what made me move. I'm not talking about the trains, you should expect to hear them when you're next to the tracks. The residents are extremely noisy and the management could care less. Outdoor amenities "close" at 8pm but there is no enforcement so residents will sit outside talking and listening to music until midnight or later. When walking through the building, you can hear residents' TVs, radios, and conversations. Managment is constantly changing and residents aren't notified when this occurs. This may not seem like a big deal unless you need to speak with someone about an ongoing issue or to offer suggestions on how to improve the living experience. I'm a frequent gym user and the variety of equipment is nice (better than a lot of apartments) but the upkeep is minimal. Many times I'd inform the office staff that certain machines were on the decline but they would take no action until the machine broke. Then, it would take more than a month to fix. For the neighborhood, security is lacking. With the metro across the street, the main entrances are safe because there is a police presence. Within and behind the buildings, there is none. When there is a power outage, the building is no longer secure but management does not provide any backup measures. During the 4 days of no power in July 2012, the interior was pitch black but the management provided no escorts, assistance to the disabled (there is a large population there), or anything basic like information on what was going on except putting up signs saying there is no power.<br><br>Likes and Dislikes: Likes: free parking, pool and grilling area, access to Metro Dislikes: noise, management, gym, package delivery, security

Current Resident 24095

Verified Resident • 2008 - 2013

My experience at Aventine...

My experience at Aventine Fort Totten, overall has been good.

Current Resident 23226

Verified Resident • 2013 - 2014

I had to get use to the...

I had to get use to the noise of the trains and buses. Some of the neighbors are different but I feel safety & its very close to the train.<br><br>Likes and Dislikes: Some of the neighbors should be screened more. The noise takes so getting use to.

Current Resident 22417

Verified Resident • 2011 - 2013

I really enjoyed my time...

I really enjoyed my time at the Aventine...would have preferred to stay at the community but could not afford the rent anymore:(<br><br>Likes and Dislikes: Likes: In front of Metro station, friendly staff & neighbors, stylish apartments and community. Dislikes:Extremely high rent, superthin walls (Not soundproof at ALL)

Current Resident 22415

Verified Resident • 2013 - 2014

The elevator can be a...

The elevator can be a problem sometimes.<br><br>Likes and Dislikes: I like the prices of the apartments.

Current Resident 22027

Verified Resident • 2013

Not worth money.<br><br>Likes...

Not worth money.<br><br>Likes and Dislikes: Not safe people hang around front all the time with no security. Only good thing about place is its location right next to metro.

arlingtonres11

Resident • 2013

I am not sure why there are so many negative reviews. I've lived here for a few months and have really liked it so far. Living near the Metro is great. You are literally 200 feet away from 3 metro lines. There isn't much else in the rest of the neighborhood, only a Giant and CVS each a mile away but no dining, shopping, or entertainment. However, you can easily Metro to Columbia Heights, U Street, Gallery Place, or Union Station for those. Walking from the buildings to the metro is fine at all times - it's well lit at night with a strong police presence. I wouldn't walk beyond the property at night however. The buildings are newer at only 5 years old so you get decent finishes, good appliances, a nice lobby and gym, and a pool. The office staff is great, the maintenance team is responsive. There is somewhat of a noise problem. You do hear the freight train. It's not too loud, but it is noticeable although you will get use to it quickly. You can also hear your upstairs neighbors. Overall, in particular when you factor in the price, this is a great deal and a great place to live. I recommend it!

kalirose10

Resident • 2011 - 2013

I had previously left a very positive review but now that I've met the staff it has taken a pretty steep nose dive. I wasn't in love with Aventine Fort Totten but it worked for me-I gave it 4 stars out of 5. I take it back. the management has ruined it for this property. I moved in two years ago and my roommate and I placed a $2,000 deposit down upon move in. When the end of our lease comes, they report they have no record of such deposit. They shrug their shoulders and say "You must not have put any money down?" No, we put quite a bit of money down. They refuse to give us our deposit back until we retrieve our own records from our banks for a check from 2 years ago. Their excuse: They were under different management at the time--so, "not my fault". Unfortunately it's your fault, you are the new representation of Aventine Fort Totten, the same Aventine Fort Totten that the check was made out to 2 years ago. When they transferred files into your hands why didn't you secure the receipt of my deposit. You're just as accountable as the guy I handed it to 2 years ago. Before I met the staff, I wanted to transfer to a new unit as this place is FAR from perfect but it's livable. I had complained about the noise of the construction, primarily concerning a lack of desire to listen to a hammer against my bedroom wall for another 4 weeks, their response was comedic "Anywhere you move in DC is going to be noisy, there's construction everywhere!" All i wanted was for you to empathize, take accountability and offer a solution. Nope, a generalization about DC and nothing more! So we tour a new unit, like it, and decide to sign a lease. Not to my surprise, the lease has major errors: --The rental amount for the unit was wrong, i pointed it out and again, no accountability, their response, "Well the unit's prices change daily so....." Maybe they do but renting an apartment isn't like I'm booking a flight! I toured this apartment that was listed at this price--I like the apartment and agreed to the price. But less than a week later it has gone up $80/month--I don't know about that. --The date the lease was to be put in action was WRONG, --We were verbally informed the transfer fee was $100 more than what it actually was. The worst of it was a week later, in the middle of going from branch to branch trying to get a record of my deposit check from two years ago, I get an e-mail from the assistant property manager asking for our security deposit money WHICH WE HAD ALREADY PAID! Did you conveniently misplace that record too? Should i bring you a copy of that receipt? I have voiced this to everyone in the leasing office, including the property manager, I have left voicemails for their superiors---it's a disaster. No one has gotten back to me and the situation, now almost a month old is still unresolved. My roommate has obtained a copy of her check but I have had no luck. Does this mean that I just lost $1000? NO ONE has shown any bit of remorse or followed up with me, or attempted to help me in anyway--except when asking for more money. Simply put, I no longer have the patience or energy to correct their consistent mistakes. It has really been a nightmare, wanted to share this with any potential renters and the staff downstairs. You took a completely satisfied "ready to renew my lease" CUSTOMER and created a very disgruntled TENANT.

iampclarke

Resident • 2013

This is high priced section 8 housing. If the hallways don't reek of trash they do of weed. People play music that shakes my apartment all day and night. When you tell the office about the loud music, they just tell you to call the cops. Can't wait until the lease is up.

Current Resident 4486

Verified Resident • 2012

Social scene: There isn't...

Social scene: There isn't much in the area, so you have to travel to other locations to do shopping, or to grab some food; Amenities: The apartment has a washer and dryer which is nice, but there is no trash disposal (although you are charged a trash fee for absolutely no reason); The maintenance workers are very nice and efficient; Parking: Towing in the parking area hasn't been enforced yet, but when it is, it will be difficult have company over without the fear that their cars will get towed; Value: The price is not worth it. The advertised price is not the price you end up paying once the leasing office has finished tacking on several other charges that are not disclosed until you are minutes away from signing the lease; Quiet: The area is fairly quiet (unless you live in building one which is right next to the train tracks); Location: the location is good given that there are 3 metro lines, and buses right outside your door; and Staff: some of the staff workers are pleasant people. There was one unhelpful, unprofessional, and outright rude leasing agent who was not willing to even consider putting in the effort to help you with anything. I don't think she works here any longer (hopefully! This would be the best business move for Greystar). Besides that, the assistant property manager is really nice and shes always willing to try to solve any problems.

Current Resident 4449

Verified Resident • 2012

The convenience of not...

The convenience of not only the location (train across the street) and the essential amenities (washer/dryer) makes this a great spot

Current Resident 268916

Resident • 2011 - 2012

While the units are decent, it quickly becomes apparent that they were constructed by cutting corners in attempts to save money. The bathroom lights can't be turned on without the loud exhaust fan turning on as well. The carpeting wears quickly and the management then charges a standard deduction for failure to clean the carpet upon move out even if there are no stains. There is a general lack of competence in the leasing office. Rarely do the staff answer the phone and I sent emails regarding issues that were never responded to--which is ironic given that so often when I would walk in the office, the staff were busy on their personal phones. Last spring we received a notice that the office would distribute pool passes and parking passes in the coming weeks but after moving out 4 months later, there was still no sign of those passes. Carpeting in the hallway was often dirty from people taking their trash down the hall and this was only cleaned once during my stay in the complex. Make sure you demand an explanation for any money withheld from your security deposit. It is illegal for them to not provide this (according to DC law). Make sure you know your rights as a DC tenant as this company/management appears willing to evade the law when possible (http://ota.dc.gov/page/information-tenants). It may be necessary to contact the corporate Greystar office in Houston, Texas if you want anything responded to in a timely manner.

Current Resident 257355

Resident • 2011 - 2012

These three buildings were built in 2007 so they should be nice and modern, but they cut an amazing amount of corners to put them up and I'm glad I'm now out of there. You'll discover how shoddy things were built and what cheap appliances and materials they used shortly after moving in. The power goes out roughly four times a year whenever there's a storm, the A/C units were the last of a no longer manufactured line and they are terrible, and for some reason they installed the vents facing the walls/windows so you end up heating/cooling the walls and windows first before the rest of the apartment. The A/C units were never properly piped into a drainage system that leads outside, so when the condensation pools it just runs down a pipe into what is essentially an oil pan tray two inches deep behind a vent inside the wall of the apartment. Then when that fills up completely with water (which happens regularly over the summer) the system completely and automatically shuts down. You have to have the maintenance guy come out with a water vacuum to drain it before you can get the A/C back on. And if it's the middle of the hot and humid summer and after hours, well, you're screwed until the next day. It's nice to have a washer/dryer unit in the apartment, but they are the loudest I've ever experienced in my life. The bathrooms are OK but if you don't leave the door open all the time when you're out and the fan on regularly you'll get mildew with a quickness. Also, the caulk around the bathtub degrades every few months so you'll be having the maintenance folks re-caulk/seal it probably at least four times in a one year lease. The stairwells reek, have no ventilation (which is great when people smoke weed in them or leave their trash there rather than take it out to the trash bins) and when the power goes out in the building there is no emergency lighting in the stairwells. I ended up guiding out some elderly and disabled folks during the summer Derecho power outage with my flashlight. The good things about this place are the convenience to the three Metro lines and the free (for now) parking. That's about it. There's nothing within walking distance and the only store/shop on site is the 7/11 that is almost always busy and fuels the abundant amount of trash in the area when the school kids get out. The noise totally depends on your neighbors and Management could care less about coming out to issue noise citations. Rent has gone up several hundred dollars in just one year with no improvements or new amenities. The leasing office staff are nice and overworked but not all that experienced as they tried to charge me for a pet deposit after I moved in when I didn't have a pet and already signed the lease saying so. I'm glad I got an electronic copy of the lease so I could easily refute this and a few other issues that came up when they confused me/my apartment with someone else. Another company is currently building new apartments behind the Aventine buildings so rents should stabilize or decline in 2013. If you can, wait till then as the prices are just obscene for a place in the middle of nowhere.