Elms Kingstowne

jef3r

Resident • 2000 - 2006

Has been my home for 6 years

I've had great experiences at the Elms. When I first moved in 6 years ago, I did have to have my washer/dryer unit replaced which they did with no argument. They were pretty bad (at the time) communicating with me about WHEN the unit would be replaced which did really piss me off. Other than that first experience, though, I've had no other problems. They do regular routine maintenance and repairs. They've started even making repairs to things I never even requested just to keep tenants happy. For example, they were in my apartment doing their routine maintenance and noticed my linoleum was old (only about 4 years old at the time) so they replaced it with much nicer stuff. They steam-clean my carpets every time I renew my lease and provide paint for me if I want to touch up my walls (though they did this once themselves for me). The staff in the main office is so incredibly nice and helpful. When I had a roommate move at the last minute for a job, they really worked with me and helped me to stay in the apartment. They even kept an ear open for potential roommates for me. The maintenance crew has always responded quickly and appropriately to my work requests. Upgrades and repairs to the development itself are always being done. Recent work includes roof replacement, repairs to the sidewalk, re-paving of the parking lot, and replacement of all the decks.<br><br>As far as noise goes, I don't know what people expect when they're living in apartments! You're going to hear the people above you. It's just one of the downsides of apartment living. I've had a lot of different upstairs neighbors. Only one was a complete nightmare with late night parties and other excessive noise. We complained to the office and never had a problem again. Other than the occassional kid running around, I've not had much more than the typical noise problems one can expect living in a ground floor apartment.<br><br>One minor annoyance...when someone moves in and they designate a handicapped spot for them and then don't monitor who parks in the spot! This guy doesn't even drive anymore and the spot stays empty!

renternowbuying

Resident • 2004 - 2006

Not so great

The rent hikes are insane. The place is starting to need massive updating. Unless you live on the top floor, it is very noisy.

Current Resident 18984

Resident • 2004 - 2006

I love it here! I feel at home.

I have not lived at another apt. community that makes me feel like home. The office staff is very helpful, knowledgeable and always willing to go the extra mile. I would highly recommend these apts to anyone looking to live in the KIngstowne area.

Current Resident 233845

Resident • 2004 - 2005

Expensive

The staff has always been very friendly and the maintenance is better than most. The price is way too much considering the apartments are NOT luxury. There is plenty of space to be had, if you're willing to pay for it. The noise level here is insane, however. I can hear my neighbors walking, talking, etc. (you name it) all day and night. For the price paid, there should be a modicum of silence. Overall, it's okay, but I'm sure there are better deals for the money.

Current Resident 346807

Resident • 2005

I have been living here for about 4 months. While I do like the community and I haven't had too many problems with the management, the noise from above is unbearable. I think anyone that lives below someone in this complex can agree with me on that note. While the walls seem fairly thick, the ceilings are paper thin. I can even hear myself walk around my own apartment, so I know that my upstairs neighboors are not doing it on purpose it's just the result of cheap contruction. I have lived in another apartment in Kingstowne and while it was not perfect, I did not have a noise problem. <br><br>So if you are looking for a place to live, and are looking into this place just know what you are getting yourself into before you get stuck for a year of your life. <br><br>

Current Resident 506271

Resident • 2003 - 2005

Too expensive for the type of living

They're just about profits. They always use cheap materials to repair stuff and they don't do any renovation. It is way too expensive. I don't consider them luxury apartement.

Current Resident 584112

Resident • 2005

NEVER AGAIN!!!!

I have lived here for 8 months and I have to say it has been very dissapointing. People walk upstairs and my apartment moves and they make so much noise that my daughter wakes up at night. SHe is 2 years old and she loves to run around like any two year old, and since the apartments are made of cardboard the people downstairs keep complaining about her. SHE IS TWO, that is what she is supposed to do. I cannot wait to get out of this hell hole and move somewhere where I can actually have a good night sleep for once because I have not since I moved. <br><br>Not worth it at all!!!! The prices are ridiculously high!!!

Current Resident 354431

Resident • 2005

Bad Decision for Us!

We moved here into the mole hole (the very bottom) and were not happy with the extreme black mold problem our unit is capable of growing. In the shower off the main entrance, nothing but smelly, stagnant mold smell that consumes you. There is also a closet for storage in between our apartment and our neighbor's unit and so many people go in and out. When the door is ajar, the mold smell comes from there also. They keep the lower level very filthy (we had yard frogs, scorpion spiders, gnats, mosquitoes that are huge come into our apartment). And no, we always keep our doors closed. We had to air out our apartment in the winter as cold as it was just to rid the unit of mold smell. The tenants above us are too loud and we often hear them having sex. Look, keep your business in private but you don't have to advertise to the neighbors you were lucky enough to score someone! Tenants walk there dogs and they s*^% near our window so guess what? The smell comes in when you open your windows which is often for us to rid the unit of again, the moldy, damp smell. I'm not sure if it's all units or just the mole holes they encourage you to rent for less here. At any rate, we are moving to a higher floor and we'll see if it's any different up there. If not, then hey. We are willing to pay out the rest of what we owe on the contract and get the hell out of here. We will not be renewing our lease here, that's for sure! One more thing, when we moved in (on moving day), there was mold growing on the bathroom frame beloe the shower off of the main entrance and inside of the window frames where you can't reach. Be leary of the lower floors. I'd be surprised if any of their previous tenants stayed here for the entire duration of their lease. Just by the many types of mailings we get in our mailbox for different tenants who stayed here, we highly doubt it.

Current Resident 630300

Resident • 2003 - 2004

LOOK past this place

Poor management, poor maintance and poorly constructed buildings makes for an unhappy experience. They adverise this as luxury apts but its not even close. Some patios and decks are used for storage and some look like they havent been cleaned for years. Kids riding bikes and scotters in the breezeways make it unsafe to walk outside your door. Four or five cars to one apartment makes parking a mystery. When icecream or milkshakes are spilled on the steps or landings it will stay there for years. When you have absentee management these things happen or don't care.

katphan

Resident • 2005

Noise levels high

I live in a downstairs apartment, and I can hear every step my upstairs neighbor makes. Worse, the ceiling squeeks and creaks, making it almost impossible to get to sleep until you get used to it.<br><br>Poor maintenance as well.

elm.1028

Resident • 2001 - 2003

Wouldn't Recommend

We lived here for two years and would never go back. <br><br>Positives:<br>The office staff were very nice and the maintenance people were wonderful.<br><br>The apartments are fairly large and had new appliances. <br><br>Parking was never a problem.<br><br>Very conveniently located to shopping and metro. <br><br>The in-unit washer and dryer, while small, were very convenient.<br><br>You have access to the Kingstowne community ammenities like the fitness center.<br><br>We had no difficulty in moving out. They cheerfully refunded our entire deposit. <br><br>Negatives:<br>While the walls are fairly thick, the floors and ceilings are paper thin. We could hear our upstairs neighbor turning over in bed. Our downstairs neighbor banged on his ceiling every time my husband walked across the room. In order to "cover" the noise of our walking around, he played his stereo at unacceptably high levels. The office staff eventually had the resident Fairfax County police officer speak to him. However, if you get an anti-social neighbor there is no remedy other than moving out. And living in such proximity the risk is too great.<br><br>The construction is pretty shoddy. <br><br>The rent increases came regularly and were extremely high for such a poorly constructed building. <br><br>If you can find a better constructed building, take it.

Current Resident 148062

Resident • 2002 - 2003

A Good Experience

I shared a two bedroom apartment with a roommate in this complex for a year and had a good experience there. Our apartment was a nice size for two of us; we each had our own bathroom, which was a plus. We had a washer and dryer in our unit. There was ample parking and no extra charge for two cars for our apartment. The Management responded to our maintenance requests in timely manner and the office staff was generally friendly. On a few occasions, there was some noise from the upstairs apartment, but nothing out of the ordinary. The complex is located in a very nice suburban area, with lots of shopping and restaurants close by. You also get a free membership to the Kingstowne Community Center (gym, outdoor pool, etc.) which is just down the street. I moved out because I was getting married and relocating. I would recommend this complex to others.

Current Resident 291747

Resident • 2004 - 2005

Not so bad

I believe the management here is nice. We have never run into a problem with them. Our maintenance calls are always anwered and completed promptly. The one big issue is the construction of the building. honestly i don't know if it owuld survive a large storm. You can feel your neighbors walking across the floor. The entire floor shakes. When I look up on my living room ceiling I can see the marks of pipes. Other than the construction it is a nice place to live. The neighbors are friendly, it's in a great area, and the management and maintenance crew do a good job. It also has a nice family atmosphere. They make a point to have acivities for Children in the summer and at holiday times.

Current Resident 605436

Resident • 2004

Great Place to Live

I have lived at the Elms at Kingstowne for over 10 months now and plan to renew my lease. The staff is very friendly and always attentive to my concerns. The maintenance staff is exceptional. They have to be the friendliest and most competent maintenance folks that I have ever encountered. They all seem to really enjoy their job and it shows through fast and quality service. Parking is good. There is a sticker system but have plenty of spaces for guests. Grounds are always kept clean and the resident parties are great! Especially the Crab Feast in the Summer and the Christmas party was wonderful. They gave such nice gifts away. I used to live in another Kingstowne community before here and I can tell you that none compare by far! You will definitely enjoy your experience here.

Current Resident 899283

Resident • 2002 - 2003

Very good experience

I had a good experience during my year at the Elms. We had several issues with flooding (we were on the basement level, and water heaters above us broke twice), and we had problems with the washer and dryer, but the maintenance crew always came quickly. The pool was nice, but the on-campus fitness facility was very small. I warn a potential renter to make sure that you read the lease and give sufficient warning that you are not renewing your lease. They are quick to sign you on for a month-to-month at a higher rate if you do not notify them (despite your lease automatically coming to a close) that you're leaving 2 months before your lease expires.

Current Resident 872683

Resident • 2003 - 2004

Worst place I've ever lived

These apartments are cheaply constructed and badly maintained. The dumpster frequently overflows, and parking is rarely available. The units are not soundproof either. There is frequent miscommunication with the apartment management, which usually means that you will end up paying extra fees of some sort. Even with a lick of paint (if you're lucky, they'll try to clean this place up and make it looks nice) I would never recommend this place. Beware!

Current Resident 376739

Resident • 2003 - 2004

Not a bad place to call home

I´ve lived here nearly a year and have had no major complaints. Unfortunately, you can´t choose your neighbors and that may be the cause of many of the bad experiences others have had. The location can´t be beat, there´s lots of parking and rarely do you hear or see your neighbors. I´m not aware of any crime and the pool is a great place to hang out at during the summer. The apartments are spacious and filled with sunlight from the many windows. The staff is pleasant and the property rather clean compared to others. <br> <br>The few negatives are far outweighed by the positives. The trash compactor is at times piled a few feet high with trash when it´s full. People leave discarded furniture at the compactor. The equipment in the "fitness center" is often broken and woefully inadequate for a high quality complex. The floors need reinforcing since I can feel my neighbors walking around or using the stairs. I tiptoe around at night for my downstairs neighbors´ sake since the floorboards squeak. And I spent all winter caulking everywhere because cold air pours in through the wall joints. Quality of workmanship is poor, but it is a rental. Overall it´s been a nice experience and I plan to stay awhile depending on the amount of the rent increase.

Current Resident 412765

Resident • 2003 - 2004

This place sucks let me out!

I live here now. The management is bad. Just plain BAD. In competent and bad. Service is bad too. For three weeks I´ve been trying to get to perfomr some maintenance and when they finaly come and do the work, they screw it up. Oh yeah, and the management is bad.

Current Resident 956133

Resident • 2004

Not good

They claim they are luxury apartments, but they are far from it. The construction of the complex is shotty and the workout room is in constant repair. I have and neighbors have a number of major plumbing problems and I wouldn´t be surprised if the plumbing goes completly very soon.

Current Resident 316477

Resident • 1995 - 2002

Excellent Property

I rented a wonderful, 1 bedroom apartment for 7 years and found it to be a great experience. The apartments, for this area, are particularly large, offering fire places, lots of windows, and a washer/dryer in the unit. The leasing staff have always been considerate, kind and helpful. Anytime I needed maintenance done, the property staff were quick to respond. The location can´t be beat. I would highly recommend this property, but given the length of time I lived there, I think that speaks more to the quality of the place then any recommendation I can offer.

dlvt52

Resident • 2002 - 2003

Good Experience

I have been living here for 8 months, and have had no complaints. The management group (people in the office) have been constant since I was looking at renting here. They know and recognize me by occasional package pick-up and are always pleasant. <br> <br>THe apartments are nice, quiet, close to D.C. reasonable with the discounts they have been giving away, they pay for water. I have gotten very quick response with the few minor maintenance calls. Parking is not an issue, even when coming in late. The aesthics is nice and I only have good things to say about this apartment complex. <br> <br>I decided ti respond because I saw only negative comments on this site, and since I used this site during my search, I wanted to even out the opinions. <br> <br>

Current Resident 501483

Resident • 2002 - 2003

THE WORST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT IN ALEXANDRIA

I lived in this complex for a year. The management were nothing but rude and had the worst customer service of anyone. The maintenance team did a bad job when responding to calls. I recently moved out and am being charged huge amounts of monies for charges that are unbelievable..example..$10 for cleaning the screens and windows..I would never recommend this complex to anyone.

Current Resident 745856

Resident • 2001 - 2002

NIGHTMARE EXPERIENCE

I lived at the Elms at Kingstowne for almost two years. Toward the end of the second year I had several instances where I felt someone was entering my apartment without consent. I called the police several times and reported the incidents to management. The police felt it may be someone in the employment of The Elms, however, management refused to take the matter seriously and basically denied the possibility that it could be someone in their employment. After the 6th occurrence, I decided to move. The Elms has refused to return my security deposit and is claiming I owe them additional monies. They have also made claims that the apartment was not cleaned after I moved out, which is totally unfounded, as I cleaned the apartment and steam cleaned the carpets, etc. They are trying to charge me for changes to the apartment that were there before I moved in and were obviously made by the previous tenants, etc. I am now seeking to take legal action against them.