MAA Benton

iHATE_CGGS

Resident • 2011 - 2012

This place is a complete nightmare! I absolutely fell in love with the place when I was shown the model. It was very well put together, clean, painted nicely, with very nice furniture. I signed the lease two days after seeing the place and moved in a month later because my apartment was not ready yet. Well, upon my arrival (after a 5 hr drive) to pick up my keys and move all of my belongings into this outrageously overprice apartment, I walked into a FILTHY and SMELLY apartment! The bathtubs were black with caked up dirt and scum, the balcony was caked with fur from the former tenant's animals, the windows were greasy, the cabinets were stained yellow with smoke, the whole apartment reeked of dirty pets and stale cigarette smoke. There was dust about 3 inches thick in the WH closet, there was DOG FOOD underneath the stove, and there was ketchup, mustard, and any other condiment you can think of caked up in the drawers and refrigerator. When I approached the staff about the issue, they acted like this kind of thing never happens...however, I have spoken to 4 different tenants who had the same filth in their apartments when they moved in. After driving for 5 hrs to move from out of town, they only offered to quickly "clean" the apartment while I went to get lunch...they didn't bother to compensate me for any of the trouble or even pro-rate the rent since the apartment that was promised to me wasn't ready for the date I moved in. The repairs, cleaning, and painting went on for a month after I moved in. WARNING, if you have garbage that you are about to take to the compactor outside, do NOT sit it outside for even ONE minute while you're getting ready to leave bc you will be charged $75 per bag!!! I'm angry- but to make this shorter, some of the CONS= gates are always broken, packages are lost (including temperature sensitive meds), bugs in the apartments, they charge a pest control fee every month but never spray (unless you ask which they never tell you until you find out the hard way), the "car care center" is a POS- no hoses, vacuum eats your money, the garbage compactor is overflowed twice a week out to the curb (they STILL manage to charge $9 trash fee), the pool is seldom clear, there is NO deposit but there is a $360 admin. fee so you're screwed on getting any money back...and the list goes on. Right now, we are trying to terminate our 12 month lease early due to military ETS and they are trying to charge us an additional months rent for notifying them ONE day late (but still 45 days before we move)!!! I could go on forever.. Email me for reassurance that you DON'T want to live here...

Current Resident 134155

Resident • 2011 - 2012

Dodge this bullet... seriously.

The staff is rude and deceptive. They send your packages back if the name is different than the one on the lease. I had a friend crashing until she found housing & they'd send her packages back. Nothing is consistent with management. They pretty much make up rules on the fly. The grounds look pretty in the front but the exterior hallways and lake area in the back are unkept. The trash bin for dog poop outside is always overflowing which is really gross. They don't even have the decency to replace the water hoses in the car wash area. Both hoses have had holes in them since I moved in... 10 months ago. Now they're going up on rent, but NOTHING has changed. The apartment wasn't ready on my move-in date. They acted as if asking them to clean the carpet in my unit was blasphemous & it took 2 wks to fix it. It's an all-around pain in the ---. Seriously guys, DODGE THE HELL OUTTA THIS BULLET!

Current Resident 391641

Resident • 2010 - 2012

Hate this place

The staff is rude, they invade our privacy all the time and lie. Come in our apartment with no warning, unannounced. The property manager is beyond rude and treats you like dirt. There is only one woman there who has ever been nice and helpful. Once when we were out of town they came into our apartment and accused us of having a dog (we had been gone a month, there was no dog there); wouldn't release mail to us because the name on the box was different than on the lease (we had just gotten married and my name hadn't been changed yet). It's just a constant struggle for anything, we dread going into the front office because we know it's going to be a hassle and a struggle. There is no customer service, no drive to be helpful to the residents. The apartment is nice, but the staff make it an unbearable living situation and we will be leaving as soon as possible and would never recommend this place to anyone.

Current Resident 846876

Resident • 2011 - 2012

Think hard before signing lease

Pro's - 1. Staff was friendly. 2. Well landscaped. Con's - 1. Slow response to maintenance requests inside the apartment. 2. Many roaches. The ground around the outside gondola at night looked like something from a horror flick. 3. Gates were broke more often than not. 4. Did not enforce people picking up after their dogs. 5. Many outside lights never worked. 6. Apartment was not ready at my move in date and it was filthy from top to bottom. 7. Exercise equipment was constantly broken and not fixed. 8. Exterior hallways were dirty

Current Resident 994467

Resident • 2010 - 2012

horrible

i have lived here for two years and i can say after reading all these revies is that they are all right.... the staff is horrible and very unfriendly, we also had things stolen from our garage of course they wouldnt do anything about that and parking is a joke...... the staff is a joke!!!!! dont move in here !!!!!

chantaloni29

Resident • 2011 - 2012

Staff deceiver and lie

Never again to be trapped by a bunch of liar. Services are terrible, everybody are ignorant after you signed in your lease. I can not wait to get out. They take advantage of people, their 30 pages of all fine print, every thing gears toward their favors. They know tenant needs a place to live close to work so they do not care. They do not see further than their nose. Just lie and screw people over. I rank them minus 4 (-4) if I am able to give that score. Stay away from them shark, shark,,,,

cbw111

Resident • 2009 - 2011

Loved This Place!

My husband and I moved into these apartments in Spring of 2009 and are just now moving out due to buying a home. We absolutely loved these apartments. They were always available to help. We had a water bubble in our wall one night and we called the after hours number and they were there in 10 minutes and fixed the problem quickly. They have the option for you to request an exterminator every single week if you want at no extra charge (we did once a month). Their pool is amazing, there was always good parking for visitors when they came, and the trainer is just an added bonus. I would recommend this complex to anyone who asks! We're definitely sad to be leaving!

miserablerenter62

Resident • 2010 - 2011

Lies

I thought this was an OK place until my apartment got flood damage from busted pipe in the walls and I now understand why we're forced to carry renter's insurance. It's to protect the complex against damages they do to your property.this complex has no responsiblity for your stuff although you may not be at fault. And so the lies began. When I complained to upper management about the length of time it was taking to make repairs in my unit, I was told I refused entry to workers according to office management which is a lie. No one ever showed up at my door. I will be so happy to get out of here.

Prospective Resident 172367

Prospect • Visited 2011

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH BED BUDS/FLEAS

I AM CONCERN ABOUT THE BED BUGS & FLEAS IN THIS APARTMENT. SOME PLEASE ADVISE DOES THIS APARTMENT HAVE PROBLEMS WITH FLEAS & BED BUDS?

Chippers95

Resident •

Worst Apartments Ever!!!

Moving here was the worst idea ever. There aren't enough parking spaces to start off with so when you park on the curb they threaten to tow your vehicle. When we moved in, there were stains all over the carpet in every room including the biggest urine stain on the living room carpet that smelled horrible and it too them almost 2 weeks to replace it. The trash compacter is constantly being overflowed and the entrance and exit gates are constantly broken. Me and my roommate have had 3 motorcycles stolen from us in the last 5 weeks from being out here and the complex isn't doing anything to help us or letting us do anything within the complex to try and find it. So with everything going wrong within the complex they won't let us move without penalty. I wound not recommend this apartment to anyone.

anevrob1981

Resident • 2010 - 2011

this place is a joke!

I loved when we showed up and they showed the model. It was really nice, we were very happy with what we saw. However when I picked up the keys I was absolutly disgusted with the apartment. It was filthy, the oven had caked on burnt food in it, the baseboard in the kitchen had food stains on it from something being spilled, also the ceiling above the stove had stains on it. How I have no idea. The carpet was/is very stained up. The master bathtub was black with grime and dirt. Carpet in spare bedroom closet is completely different than the bedroom. Floor tack strips stick you when you step on them. The bedrooms both have black mold in the window sills. Silver fish and bugs everywhere in home spiders in the walkway.The people are soooo noisy above us and when we appraoched them with the issue they told us, sorry but this is the quietest we are gonna be. Seriously unbelievable!!! If you have another choice to live somewhere else I would!!!!!

Current Resident 388560

Resident • 2010 - 2011

Peoples be Crazy!

I loved the place! Parking could have been a little better, but I thought it was neat that they included cable in rent. I don't watch tv too much, but it was nice to have without paying a bill.

Current Resident 52392

Resident • 2011

Seems Nice at First

This is the worst place I have lived from all aspects. The parking spots are large, but usually all parked up, and people do not care about others' property (let their doors fly and hit your car, hit and run, etc.). Everything in the gym is broken. Staff is very rude to your face (will comment on you as you walk out the door with an issue that needs to be resolved). Four things have broken in one week. An emergency situation arose and was not dealt with until later the next day. Very loud and people will keep you up until 2 or 3 AM and nothing is enforced. A neighbor had to call the cops because nobody was taking care of safety situation. Also, my alarm was going off and it took the complex 3 days to get back to me on the situation. The head of the complex was very lax on the issue. The lease is very expensive to break (it's more affordable to pay the rent instead of leaving the lease early because you hate it here so much). Model apartment is much bigger than the one bedroom, as well, although they tell you it is the same thing.

amintz

Resident • 2010 - 2011

Worst Staff Ever

I have been living here for a year now and would never recommend these apartments to anybody. The staff is soo nice when you are first moving in but once your in forget it! They never answer their phones or your emails. Matienance never comes on time and leaves your door unlocked if they do. We moved her because we have a large dog and they said they are very dog friendly and have a pet park. They do not have a pet park it is just a walkway. I am so glad to be moving. Also when you move in they tell you that you will have an aum bill that inculdes your water (we are only 2 people we don't use that much water) they said it would be no more then 30 a month. We have had bills as high as 50 because they often read the wrong meter. Don't move here!

robersmitherson

Resident • 2009 - 2010

Stay Away From Colonial Properties

BUGS The buildings are roach infested. Even though charged a monthly pest control fee, having them show up for a 'treatment' is pointless, when new bugs move in from the rest of the buildings. Having fire ants get in and sting our kids was fun too. GARBAGE The trash piles up into a heaping festering pile because they do not pay to have the dumpster hauled away often enough. Nice odor during the summer. SECURITY Gated community only matters when the gates work, which is more often not the case. Most night time lighting doesn't work. Say they change door locks, but have heard otherwise. STAFF Tried to extort money for items that I had noted on my move in inspection. Still ending up paying for things that were already broken/dirty that I can't prove. Threatening to get collection agency after me so just going to pay and move on.

Current Resident 243534

Resident • 2009 - 2010

In for a penny, in for a buck

The Colonial Grand has definitely proven that they believe in the motto, "In it for the money". A couple of lessons learned that I would like to pass on to anyone looking this direction. 1. They will sell you over the moon on how you can move in for a $0 deposit, but then charge $360 for admin and application fees - which you will learn quickly are nonrefundable unlike the deposit you don't have to provide. What are you receiving for $360? 2. They're timeliness in issuing letters about late rent, the "fees" they are imposing is impeccable - if only there computer system was the same way. As I was notified by their computer system that they were deducting my rent that evening, and then it did not. Was there a letter issuing an apology? 3. The items they find in their walk through on your way out, lets just say I would like some documentation. Even better they wrote me another letter and sent it to my address at the apartment complex - where I no longer lived. I'm walking away from Godley Station with a much lighter wallet.

Current Resident 762660

Resident • 2010

to the flea lady: BED BUGS

I believe she was bitten by bed bugs, a major issue in apartments like Godley Lake. they live in fabric and are parasitic. to get rid of them, you must gas the entire apartment, if they havn't gone through the walls to another apartment. this is usually done by a machine in a large van or trailer that makes a loud noise when running and hoses are ran to the apartment. Exterminators or I've even heard carpet cleaner companies do this now. usually only treated when resident is fed up and moves out. Dont expect much from maintenance, it's a new property, its possible the upper management doesn't expect many things to go wrong so they hire the bottom of the barrel with minimal pay.

Maple420

Resident • 2005 - 2010

Would not recommend this property...The Merritt was much better!!!

I have been a resident here since it was called "The Merritt" and then it was a nice place to live!! The property was always taken care of..building were pressured washed monthly (No spider webs in the hallways), all of the fountains use to work properly (Not anymore), the the pumps in the pool are always broke and algae builds in the pool. The staff use to be honest,reliable,friendly and would take care of any of your concerns right then..Not anymore. They all are filled with lies and act like they own this property. Called last year about the pump in the lagoon not working..they still continue to tell me it will be fixed by the end of the week. Claims that the company they ordered the part from has sent them the wrong part...how long does it take to recieve the part? Where is the part being ordered from??? How is it being delievered? Hint colonial property employees...use ups or fedex! You can get packages over nighted! Just a suggestion! Moving out asap! It is not worth living here...BUY A HOUSE INSTEAD!!! or check out the preserves or another apartment living quarters!

Current Resident 35611

Resident • 2010

horrible office staff

When you call, no one answers. Before moving in, no one emailed me or contacted me in anyway to tell me what all had to be done before moving in. My apt was available the 4th but I didnt move in til the 8th since i was coming from FL. I finally called them on the 6TH to ask what all needed to be done which is when i was informed i needed renters insurance for the first time. And now, on top of my 90 electric bill, i owe them 101 dollars because i was never told i needed my electricity turned on prior to my apt being AVAILABLE not just moved into. Really annoying to spend 100 dollars on 4 days of not living there

jaleelmom

Resident • 2010

These Apts Suck

The management sucks. I feel we received false advertisement when we moved in. We were shown the model apt because ours was not ready at the time. So she told me to give her about a week to get it cleaned and ready for us to move in. The day we got the keys we found the only thing that was cleaned was the carpet and it was still stained everywhere. They didn't even vaccum before they did it. The stove was nasty, the bathroom and kitchen floor.We found a dirty shoe in my sons closet and dishes were left in the cabinets. They must have the cheapest blinds in the world. If you blow on them they bend up that's just sad. The parking sucks don't expect to go somewhere really quick and come back to get the same space because it will be gone. They have a car wash area that's basically flooded they been working on a pipe for almost a month now. They are very nasty. I am so happy we signed a short lease because we will be out of here as soon as it's up. DO NOT I repeat DO NOT pick this place. Oh yeah and the walls are cheap we hear everything and the hallways smell like piss. R

mikeymike20

Resident • 2009 - 2010

ready to move!

when we moved in we anitated all of our deficiencies! they still have not been fixed...the month now is june, we moved here in december! the carpets look like crap, the blinds are all bent up. my 2nd bathroom is missing the towel rack! the only honest good thing here is the maintance team..if you call they respond pretty quick...also its cheap...we pay 716 for 2 bdr 2 ba and w/d free cable! i just wish that maybe upon moving in they would of put new carpet in! also the management sucks! they lour you in and once your here, forget about it! the parking sux royally! dont even think about trying to get a spot at night! also, if you park in the handicap, beware...these jerks tow your car away in the middle of the night! for real! without notice might I add! and the gate, never works...some safety feature they have going on! the garbage area always smells like puke, and also after 2 weeks of living here some ------ tried stealing the rims off my car...nice try, too bad for you you couldnt get them! I do like this apartment, I really wish we could of had new carpet, and blinds before we moved in!

savgachick

Resident • 2010

The office staff is constantly changing so you get different information everytime you contact the office about an issue; this type of inconistent behavior exudes unprofessionalism and overall bad service. The apartment itself is pretty nice and the maintenence staff does work quickly to address any issues. Just know, the company is completely stringent and will not work with you if you have any issues that do not conform with policy. Understanding policy is an important part of operational functionality, a company must understand not every situation is black and white and deserves personal attention that may require one to "go outside of the box." When trying to work with the office staff, it reminds me of calling a call center located in India - they can only read policy off of a script and get completey befuzzled if you ask them anything but straight policy.

Current Resident 679758

Resident • 2009 - 2010

Look elsewhere!

When we decided to move to Pooler we looked at several apartment complexes and went with The Colonial Grand at Godley Station because they had gated security, a work out room and the model apartment was really nice. One of the other perks we liked was the fact you could have them paint your walls before you moved for a small fee. I paid the fee three weeks in advance to have three of our walls painted and when we moved in the walls were white. It took over a month was this to get completed. They did'nt have our mail keys we finally obtained one about three weeks after we moved in and finally got the second one 4 months after we moved in. Our gate card was also broken. One of the tiles was missing from our bathroom floors, our blinds were bent and the second bathroom was missing it's fixtures...all of them. The "Secure" Gate has been broken for over 2 months..so anyone is free to enter the complex....and they do we constantly have fliers on our doors and random people walking in our hallways. The work out room key code was broken for over 3 weeks this spring, so you could only access the gym during their office hours...which are the hours most people are working. We have a dog and seem to be the only tenants that actually pick up after her. There is dog poop everywhere! There is only one dumpster so you have to drive your trash to the dumpster every day. The Staff is rude and will never give you an estimate on when something will be fixed they just say ASAP...which could mean 3 plus weeks. The office smells like mold. It is loud...I can hear everything my neighbors are doing above and parking is very limited. If you ever come home after 8:00pm you are lucky to find a parking space. The only perk is free cable and the amenities inside are ok. I would not recommend this complex to anyone....look elsewhere

naveed82

Resident • 2008 - 2010

Sick of This Place - Lousy Construction and Insane Noise Levels

I am a current resident and suffering every thing that is mentioned in the other review. The noise level is insane and its due to poor construction. Neighbors walking upstairs, it feels like some one is hammering the roof!! Talking to them does not help as they are like " do you want us to tip toe in our home !). Management has no solution for any of this. Maintenance is not so bad, this is the only thing I like apart from the looks of the apartment. Dog poop is every where, the apt has $50 fine, but who the hell is policing!! If you move here make sure you move to second floor and be considerate of your neighbors down stairs. If you can avoid it please do. Naveed82@gmail.com

galwoods

Resident • 2009 - 2010

beware of move-in specials!

My lease stated that at the end of my lease term, my lease would automatically become month-to-month at the current market rate. However, now that my lease has ended, Colonial attempted to raise my rent from $1100/month to $1400/month. When I looked online, I saw that they were offering apartments with my same floorplan at rates of $972/month - $1,038/month. When I asked management why they were raising my rent to above the going rate, they stated that the lower rates were special rates to get new tenants and since I already lived there, I was not eligible for those rates. They wanted me to pay $400 more per month than new tenants because I already lived there, paid my rent in full on time every month, and never had any noise, trash, or other complaints against me during my lease term. I MOVED !