Renter Beware
We had the displeasure of renting a property that was owned by local Denorfio property management and then, unfortunately, was sold a month into our lease, along with Realty 3 to new landlords Nick and Shelly Meister. At this time the tenants down stairs moved out after being there for 30 years. Needless to say after 30 years, renovations had to be done. We were told they had big plans for it and they would have it rented in ‘30 days’. We liked our private yard on the trail and asked that whatever they do, please do not take the privacy or our fire pit away. We really liked those things and they were part of the charm that we initially fell in love with about the place. Both of these were the first to go. Along with the grass. The yard was a complete and total mud pit, along with building debris, all winter long and into the spring.
All of the construction was done between 5-10pm m-f, and 7am-9pm sat/sun. This went on for SEVEN MONTHS. Ok. It is what it is. At least they were proactive landlords, I kept telling myself. Then we get a call that they needed access to our apartment. Mid January. Ok fine. My girlfriend comes home to all extension cords running from our house for their whole day of labor. Doors wide open in 20 degree weather. Heat on, people just walking in and out of our house and pissing in our bathroom. Whole apartment downstairs and these people are walking right into my house while my girlfriend was just out of the shower and still dripping in her towel. “Ummmm hello???” “Oh didn’t no u was home” And then walked out. Ok now I have to say something. I complained to nick and apparently he didn’t like the very reasonable point I was trying to make and proceeded to bully us out of our lease. Pulling out internet and cable wires out of the side of the house forcing us into the dark ages for weeks. We came home to him loading our kids basketball net into his trailer one day. “Um excuse us? That’s our Childrens and we got permission for it prior to signing our lease?” “It can’t stay here!!!” We were told and he hauled it off to parts unknown with a bullying text saying ‘thanks for the permission’. We should have called the police. But we let it go.
A few more moths pass, all the construction was complete. New neighbors moved in. We liked them. They liked us. We liked the location of the apartment. Finally started to feel like home again. We knew that they were going to raise our rent, we just knew it. But fine. We still liked the location. Our kids enjoyed going to the Y. We liked the trail. We swallowed our pride and asked to renew the lease. They wanted to raise the the rent 20%. 20%??? After all they put us through? Fine. Raise the rent. We didn’t want to move. We still liked the apartment. “Ok but we need to Run a credit/background check on you prior to renewal.” Ok.... we’ve been here a year and haven’t been late on the rent once. But whatever. Background check comes back. My credit score dipped a little bit due to a bill that had been forgotten about. My score was five points below their minimum score and they demanded that we be out by the end of the lease. 2 weeks notice was all they gave to us and though we were lucky enough to find a wonderful place in time there was no love coming from these people whatsoever. We left the apartment broom clean and undamaged as required by our lease. We’ve never had a more miserable experience in our lives. I sincerely hope that no one else has to endure what these people put us through. Renter beware.