Lake Carlton Arms

Current Resident 508515

Resident • 2007

Lake Carlton is no longer an affordable apt complex!

The rents have gone through the roof here. We have been here one year and just received our release option. It has gone up a whopping $80!!! An aquaintance of mine rented a small studio here and his just went up $50! Needless to say I will not be renewing here. Not only is this place a rip off it is not safe in the least. Just the other day I received yet another notice of two break-ins where women were alone sleeping and woke up to find a man in their apartment! The police is always here for some reason or another and the security is a joke. Many time, especially when its raining, the security guards at the front entrance do not want to step outside so they just wave everyone in...even the cars coming through the visitor entrance, without even stopping them!!! Do youself a favor and look elsewhere...you can definitely find better.

Vandyke

Resident • 2005 - 2006

What's not to love?

we've lived at another Mahaffey property for 20 yrs.Obviously we were more than satisfied.We are very pleased, that having moved here we find that the high standards set by this company have been maintained and in some areas improved upon.Yes the units are older but maintenace is swift and usually accurate.Having read some of the above negative reviews I can't help but wonder where the ----- these people were living!As to the office staff we've experienced nothing but helpful courtesy.We are seniors and really appreciate the attention given to the grounds and building maintenace. Like I said "What's not to love?" We would and have highly reccomended LCA to friends who are now enjoying living here as much as we have.

Current Resident 999860

Resident • 2004 - 2006

Great place to live

Lake Carlton is a very peaceful and tranquil place to live. The office staff are always friendly and helpful. The courtesy staff (not security guards) are always professional. I'm very happy with the newly renovated laundry facility. The landscaping is not like anything I've seen in any apartment community. Maint. staff are top notch. I highly recommend this beautiful apartment community.

Current Resident 93294

Resident • 2005 - 2006

the worst without a doubt!!

me and my best friend movied in here after graduating high school. were from the country so we thought it would be good to live outide of tampa and right on a lake to go fishing. I will start by saying that the apartments are going down hill, they are too old and need to be renovated, our garbage disposal hit the ----, dishwasher doesnt function correstly. there were backups in the water system that caused the water to over flow 3 different times in a matter of 3 months. both of our upstairs and downstairs bathroom have broken numerous times, our apartment was broken into and about $1000 worth of stuff was stolen. we have had in 3 different times eveiction notices on our day half a dozen times because either they lost our rent or they didnt properly note our rent payment. If that isnt enough for you to stay away from this apartment then I dont kow what will. oh yea and 24 hour maintenance is more like 12 hour maintenance.

Current Resident 230686

Resident • 2004 - 2006

Please dont chose this place to live!

Well, where do i begin? When my husband and I first moved in, we really thought this was a great place to live. It had everything we needed and the place was beautiful despite how old the apartments are. Thank god that we are moving out of this dump finally! To begin with the office staff are a bunch of idiots! and rude as ever. They have no clue what they heck there supposed to do. They have begun to let section 8 move in so the place is really going to hell in a hand basket! there are 20 million cats all over the place so needless to say there is garbage all over the place becasue they rip it up. Our garbage can is always getting stolen and switched with someone else's. The apartment itself is falling apart and anytime we need a maintenance call, they dont knock before the come barging in, and it takes the at least 3 times to fix what is wrong. These people are more interested in maintaining the grounds than the apartment complex as a whole and to tell you the truth the grounds are ok, nothing spectacular! this place is going down hill fast and im glad were moving out!

Cassandra89

Resident • 2005 - 2006

Office staff stinks!!

I must say that the place is nice, but the office staff stinks!! They are all rude and stuck up!! Exspecially PARIS please change your name when your 50, is it!! A little to old!! She was rude to me and my child!! We will be moving to a more friendly place!!

Current Resident 881

Resident • 2004 - 2006

As long as you don't have to deal with the office staff...

I have lived in this complex for 1.5 years and it's been pretty good so far. Ants are a problem and so are spiders, but I guess that's what you get when living on a lake. As for the title of my post...The office staff leave a lot to be desired here. They are often rude and seem like they don't have time for anyone. I'm sure they hear thier fair share of complaints, but so do I in my line of work and I still treat each person with respect, and I do it nicely. I don't like the fact that the maintence people and the pest control people have the right to enter your apartments at any time. I have had one unpleasent experience so far when I was home sick in bed and pest control decided to let themselves in after knocking. I try to always have the security chain on the door latched, but not feeling well made me a little less careful in locking it. The deadbolt lock was locked, but he just used his master key to enter. I heard the door and my dogs started to bark-which scared me and I got up to find him standing in my door way asking if he could come in and spray-as if I had a choice...he was already in my apartment! The view is pretty and relaxing, so that's a plus. Just get past the office staff and don't go see them for many things and you will be just fine.

Current Resident 17838

Resident • 2004 - 2006

we loved it!

I lived there with my two children for two years. I always felt safe and security always responded quickly to any complaints. I lived right in front of the lake and it was soothing. I never had a problem with the maintenance. I had my carpet cleaned twice by the maintenance crew for only 25.00 what a deal! Unfortunately I had to move, but really miss it. They also have a yearly Christmas party which was great, you don't see that too often in an apartment complex. My kids also loved the scenery and the pool. This place is very well kept and you can't beat the price. I have a relative that moved to a one bedroom apt for only 529 a month and he loves the place and the price.

codyman1022

Resident • 2005 - 2006

Dead Bodies Everywhere

Well, what can I say. I'm pretty much in love with the townhouse I live in here at Lake Carlton. They are older, but well kept at the same time. When I moved in nothing was broken, the carpet looked great, it was clean, and the walls were freshly painted. I am right on the lake and I have a huge back patio. Plus this place is hella cheap! I'm paying less for a 1100 sq ft townhouse with two bedrooms and 1 & 1/2 bath, than I would right down the street for a one bedroom apartment. Now... you are asking yourself what the hell is up with the title of this comment? Well let me explain what just made Lake Carlton a bit more interesting. Two days ago I was at work just like every other day. My boss interupts what I am doing and tells me to come over to his computer quickly. Turns out that Lake Carlton Arms is on the front page of the TBO.com website for breaking news. That morning the police uncovered a 1987(I believe) Cadillac from the lake. After the car was pulled from the water, they found skeletal remains in the front and back seat! At this point we do not know who the car belongs to or who the corpse(s) is/are. All they know is that the car has been submerged for 5-15 years! Hmmm dead bodies in the lake... just one of the extra added bonuses here at Lake Carlton Arms, free of charge of course. I've been here at Lake Carlton for about 6 months now, and like I said, I love it. The dead bodies thing in the lake doesn't bother me, I think its kinda cool. I get to scare the crap out of my girlfriend when she comes to visit me. Anyway, lets go fishing baby! By the way...<br>I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP!!!!

VRGOCHIK

Resident • 2004 - 2006

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ILOVE THESE APARTMENTS THESE ARE THE FIRST APARTMENTS ME AND MY BOYFRIEND HAVE LIVED IN I LOVE THE BIG LAKE,WE GO FISHING ALL THE TIME.THE NATURE TRAIL IS AWESOME MY NIECES AND COUSINS LOVE THE POOL,DUCKS AND YES THE ALIGATORS WE HAVE A SMALL JOHN BOAT WE USE ALL THE TIME,THE VIEW IS BREATHTAKING IT REALLY IS ME AND MY BOYFRIEND EVERY EVENING WOULD TAKE A SUNSET WALK ITS BEAUTIFUL WE HAVE BEEN LIVING HERE FOR 2 AND A HALF YEARS AND I DONT SEE US GOING ANYWHERE.THE MAINTNANCE IS GREAT THEY COME WITHIN MINUTES OF YOU CALLING SECURITY IS CONSTANTLEY ROAMING THE PREMISES WHICH IS GREAT,POOLS ALWAYS CLEAN.

Current Resident 80394

Resident • 2006

we love it

my two roommates and i are very happy here. we like the landscaping, the price, the office staff, the maintenance department. we are very glad we moved here and think we made the best choice. we have had a few things go wrong in our unit, which is to be expected with the age of the buildings, but maintenance has always taken care of everything very quickly, within hours. for the number of people living here, it is very quiet. another nice thing is the guest apartments. i had out-of-town relatives come for christmas and they stayed in the guest apartment at the clubhouse, and they enjoyed their stay very much. we were shocked at our first electric bill - running the A/C often for the townhouse only cost us $85 a month. we did have ants at first - probably because the old foundation has a crack, but pest control came back the next day and sprayed extra good - and no more ants since then. we are very happy tenants.<br>

Current Resident 331680

Resident • 2004 - 2005

Almost two years living here. My review...

Have been living here since early 2004, its now end of Dec 2005. First I must say the grounds are very well kept. Sometimes, though, I think they spend way too much $$$ on plants. Just at the security booth as you drive in the plants there are changed almost weekly. I'm not talking a few plants, I'm talking many plants. I think they should spend that money on something like upgrading the appliances or shower stalls in the aprtments. Our shower is cracking daily, the built in shower curtain is constanytly falling off its tracks. All maintanence does is caulk the cracks, which lasts a few weeks. <br>Another problem is ANTS, my GOD, they're everywhere. Every few weeks the guy comes to spray but that is useless. I dont know how much money we've spent on Raid. By the way they come in your apartment even if there is nobody home. Who are these people? Who knows just dont leave any valuables out on the days they are expected.Rent has steadily gone up. Not much but it has, must be expected though. <br>Security is a joke. Rent-a-cops who think they're the FBI. I called them one time to say there were people "scuba diving in the lake, yes scuba diving, tanks and all and a pretty big gator was slowely making his way to them. Security never even came. I ended up going outside to warn the divers myself. I know security arent the Florida Wildlife Commision but they could have at least came to explain the no swimming in the lakes policy, geez.<br>Speeding is a problem also. There speed bumps everywhere but people still speed through. Even security speed through the complex. School buses have also beem seen by myself speeding through. I cant remember a single morning i've left for work and didnt see some dead animal in the road there. How long before it a child in the road before they do more to curb the speeding. <br>As for the office, nothing to say bad about them, yet. Havent had the pleasure of dealing with them too much. <br>My conclusion is: 1) too much money spent on grounds and not enough on the aging apartments. Management too worried about the looks of the place and not enough about the tenants who already living there. They already have the lease signed and the security deposit.<br>2) Very quiet place<br>3) Speeding is a problem<br>4) Somewhat affordable but rents on the rise constantly<br>5) Are background checks on the repairmen and extermintors done? Should be if not already.<br><br>

Current Resident 173049

Resident • 2005

Been here 12 years and they just keep improving

Been here 12 years and they just keep improving

Current Resident 636003

Resident • 2005

No offense, but they don't need your business...

I do not condone rudeness, but from your post, I don't really consider their actions to be rude... just business. Just because they did not do what YOU wanted them to do does not, in itself, make them rude. Lake Carlton Arms is a very popular community and they have very long wait lists. We waited almost a year to get the apartment we wanted. It's not a community you go to one day and move into the next. It's a lovely community and we are so happy here. They don't have to entice people with special offers. They don't even have to advertise. When we went through an apt locator service, Lake Carlton Arms does not list through them because they don't NEED to. Sorry your experience wasn't positive, but if you had been a bit more patient, you might have a lovely place to live right now. We love it!

Current Resident 654882

Resident • 2005

Rudeness

Although we are not tenants, we tried to become one... The process of trying to submit an application and place a deposit was a nightmare. We arrived with all the information except the security deposit and were willing to bring it if they could wait ten minutes before closing for the day and they were unwilling. We wanted to hold the apartment until the next morning and they would not do that either. By the time we arrived the next day, both apartments we were interested in were supposedly rented. When we asked what else might be available, the leasing manager wouldn't do the research herself, made us wait 15 minutes for another agent to return. They were rude during the entire process and acted as if they could care less about our business. We were willing to put a deposit down on a unit that we really didn't want with the hopes of continuing our apartment search. We were told that we could in fact put down a deposit but if we didn't rent and they were unsuccessful in renting that unit before the move-in date, we would be charged a daily rate for the apartment until it was rented.

Current Resident 64671

Resident • 2004 - 2005

THEIVES,,AND OVERALL POOR MAINTENANCE

We have been living in Lake Carlton Arms for 1 year and it has been nothing but a living nightmare. We were placed above an elderly couple and they did nothing but complain to the office about our kids going in and out of the house "too much". They continued to complain until security came to our house and explained the problem to my 8-year old son while we were in the house!! We complained to the maintenance and they simply said it was not there problem. When we decided to renew our lease they told us that they were not going to renew it and when asked for an explanation they said they didn't have to explain anything!!(We didn't receive 1 complaint from any of our other tenants.<br>Our children received 2 mountain bikes for Christmas and they were placed in chains in the "so-called secure" carports. Two months later they were both stolen.When we complained to maintenance they said there was nothing they could do. Is that the kind of environment you want to live in? The only good part about this complex is the scenery.

Current Resident 70189

Resident • 2004 - 2005

DO NOT LET THE BEAUTIFUL SCENERY FOOL YOU!

EVERYTHING THAT LOOKS GOOD IN THE INSIDE DOES NOT NECESSARY NEED TO BE GOOD IN THE INSIDE..REMEMBER THAT

ali2632red

Resident • 2004 - 2005

I would still live here if it werent for my roommate

I have loved living here in my town house. I have never had a problem with management. It has been a wonderful experience living on the lake with the beautiful view. The heated pools are great during the FL winters. I would still live here but my roommate and i have had our differences. If I could afford a 2 bed townhouse on my own I would not move. I would definately recommend this apt to anyone who likes a peaceful place with a beautiful view.

Current Resident 246951

Resident • 2005

Im soooo happy we moved here

My boyfriend and I moved here after our horrific experiences with other apartment complex's. From day one i have felt like home here and we did have some minimal repairs when we first moved in but nothing major and they were fixed the same day we moved in! We moved into a town home which if you can afford it, i highly recommend them becasue they are so spacious and well lit and an overall great deal for the price. Everyone at the office has been very helpful with everything, mind you the office staff isn't the brightest of people, but there very nice! If your looking for an apartment, look at Lake Carlton arms before anything, but be in mind the waiting list is huge!<br>

Current Resident 807028

Resident • 2005

The previous "petlover" poster is nuts!

First of all, I don't know where you're living...but we just moved in and we love it. The minor things that were wrong with our apartment were fixed immediately....within an hour. <br><br>This place is not 40% full....it's near capacity. Have you walked around the complex? There isn't an empty place. They have a waiting list a mile long. I don't know where you got your information, but you are very misguided. <br><br>Their dog policy is very well known. When you signed your lease, I'm sure they specifically told you that visiting dogs were NOT allowed on property. To tell you the truth, I like that my 10 pound shih tzu doesn't have to worry about big visiting dogs. I like that they have weight limit and that they register the dogs on the property. <br><br>I don't know where you're living, but it's a different LAKE CARLTON ARMS from where we are!

AngryPetLover

Resident • 2004 - 2005

The ----- is named Charlotte

Let me begin by saying how wonderfully beautiful the landscape is. Seeing as how they have 30-40 lawn maintenance people cleaning it at all times, of course it will be this beautiful. Too bad the townhomes aren't that beautiful. When I came here to view the model, I was impressed on how much space there was... what a beautiful view... how the cost wasn't so bad... little did I know that move in day would be so horrible. On move in day, I was given keys to the home and went in to check it out. Wow, was I surprised. I found a bleach stained carpet, broken banister, dirt and mold caked around the edges of all the carpet, the dryer smelled like a dead animal, and the air conditioner sounded like a diesel engine. It looked like someone moved out five minutes before I had moved in. After a month of living here, All of the appliances started breaking... and don't try getting anyone to come fix anything... if they come at all it's the next day. A few months into the lease I started watching my mom's dog. I don't know if someone from the office saw the dog or what, but they told me if I didn't bring her to the office to have a picture taken of her and have her weighed, they would give me a 7 day eviction notice. When I brought her to the office, Charlotte, the leasing manager, told me she was 2 pounds over the limit and they were sorry, but I couldn't keep her here. I had seen Siberian Huskies, Labradors, Boxers... among other large animals... I mean my mom's dog is 27 pounds... come on. When I told Charlotte that I would move if it was a problem... she told me she would let the 2 pounds slide. I later found out that they only have 40% of the apartments full here, so they are hurting for tenants. My lease is finally almost over... and when it is, I am GONE! I feel sorry for anyone that moves into these poorly taken care of town homes.

flalady

Resident • 2004

great lakefront apts, huge private patios

great lakefront apts, huge private patios

HappyLCA04

Resident • 2003 - 2004

They will rip you off!

I lived there for 1 year. Everything was great until I moved out. They tried to take almost all of my security deposit. They charged me money for rent, because they said that they raised my rent during my lease. I had to point out to them that it was ILLEGAL to raise rent during a lease w/o permission. After some arguing, they gave in and refunded my rent money. They kept making one excuse after the other to keep my deposit and I am still fighting them. If I wasn't a law student and knew what I was talking about, they would have gotten away with it. I would hate to see how many unsuspecting people got screwed out of their hard earned money because of their greediness. Be careful. I would pass these apartments up if I were you.

Current Resident 729900

Resident • 2002 - 2004

Management sucks

I do like my surroundings but the management here...Charlotte Brown has no business managing a complex this size. She is rude...unprofessional and evil. Most definately evil.

Current Resident 996126

Resident • 2002 - 2003

miss it

My husband and I lived at LCA before we got married and moved out shortly after. Since then, we have lived in pretty "upscale" apartments all over Tampa and none of it compares to LCA. Although the complex is old, it was the most well-kept apartment we have ever lived in and we paid almost half the price we pay now for rent. We are both still in college and we have just over a year left to go before we are going to start looking for something to buy. Our current lease ends in May and when that time comes, we may very well decide to move back to make our last apartment experience just as pleasurable as the first time that we lived there. The security was great...if you didn't know the address and full name of the person you were visiting, you weren't going to be visiting. If you had any reason to complain about noisy people and what-not after hours, the security was there not five minutes after your call. Maintenance would come the same day you called for anything to be fixed and that is so remarkable when you consider that there are 1900 units on the property. Where we live now it takes weeks, even months to have anything fixed. The apartment that we lived in was a little too small for us so we plan on moving into something bigger if we decide to go back. The drive to work and school and virtually anywhere in Tampa was a bit of a pain but we are willing to put up with that after realizing that comfort in living outweighs convenience of location.