Conditions Still Unsanitary at Heights of Collingswood, Residents Say
New property manager Greystar hasn't been able to nail down resident concerns about garbage pile-ups, pet waste and other resident issues.
Broken elevators, rapidly accumulating garbage, and a general lack of upkeep are just a handful of the things residents at the Heights of Collingswood say have not been addressed since the February takeover of the property by national apartment rental firm Greystar.
Brandon Lewis, a five-year resident of Building B, believes a skeleton crew is managing the maintenance at all four buildings. He alleges that “things were neglected for a few weeks” in the changeover of building administration.
“As far as sanitation, everything is unsatisfactory: the trash rooms, vacuuming [the hallway carpets,] the outside grounds, the pool,” Lewis said. “They say write a list, but no one addresses the list. It never gets addressed until something comes up.
“I didn't understand why they fired all the porters that kept up the building,” Lewis added. “You’ve got people dumping trash on a daily basis.”
As recently as two weeks ago, Greystar was advertising on Craigslist for groundskeepers and apartment leasing professionals at the facility.
Lewis says that for the rent he's paying—$900 per month for a one-bedroom apartment—he expects a higher level of service.
Sasha Sound, a two-year resident of the Heights of Collingswood, said that pet waste in the elevators is a frequent concern, but that “the manager has been responsive if I’ve had any issues.”
Ibrahim Abdus-Shakur, who has lived in Building A for eight years, said that upkeep of the grounds has been a challenge as long as he's lived there.
“For the most part, I like to give people the chance to get started,” Abdus-Shakur said. “There is a lot of dog poop, but that was there before. People refuse to pick up after their dogs.”
Abdus-Shakur also said that there are general issues with the facility, including loitering persons, pet owners who let their animals run off-lead and minor maintenance issues, but that these existed prior to Greystar assuming management of the property.
“The floor where I am is pretty quiet,” he said. “I'm a peaceful person.”
Amber Mitchell, who will mark her two-year anniversary as a resident of the property this May, said “I’ve been trying to move out since November.
“They keep telling me they'll get back to me and they don’t,” she said.
Mitchell, who is originally from Cinnaminson, says she likes the Collingswood area, but no longer wants to live at the apartment complex.
Under previous management, the Heights of Collingswood was the site of a number of criminal actions, including a carjacking, a trash chute fire, a stabbing and a string of other incidents.
On-site staff at the property declined to comment to Patch. Nikkie Berlin Lenox, Regional Property Manager with Greystar, weighed in on the situation via email from her McLean, VA, office.
“We were engaged in late February to take over the management of the apartment community and to address resident concerns," she said. "We are working with owners of the apartment community and local officials and hope have these matters resolved in the next few weeks.”
Heightsofcollings Stinks
4:41 pm on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
and I hope we don't see a rent increase until these matters are all taken care of.
Heightsofcollings Stinks
4:44 pm on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Give the management company the benefit of the doubt. See what they will do. The management company has not even been here for a month. It will take a while to un-do all the bad that has accumulated over the years. And the A building 7th floor hallway across from the elevators needs to be painted, Im tired of looking at white spray paint covering graffiti.
senior
6:39 pm on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Let's be fair! Yes, it is dirty and we miss old porters but residents and their guests are at fault to,big time! Most people like to live in nice and clean areas; but some not so. I do not think there are enough cameras in buildings and outside; I wish that those cameras could catch those who are spitting, leaving cigaretts butts and trash on floors inside buildings, damaging and destrying property. Those people when cought should pay high fees and penalties. That said; Yes, it is dirty and management I hope is not blind and can see and will try to put enough of manpower to keep our buildings in satisfactory condition.
Regret
11:36 pm on Sunday, April 1, 2012
There is a nasty roach problem is C building. Just moved in less than a month ago and wish i would have listened to all of the bad reviews written about this place.
budd
11:12 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
Under old management, Heights of Collingswood was better. Now with GreyStar, elevators break, people doing drugs including on 9th Floor at D building. Kids running accross the main floors of buildings - Parents not controlling their kids. Also Maintenance are rude, and lazy. There are also psychiatric patients that should be in psychiatric wards and not out in public with us normal folk. People are moving out left and right - which shows that current residents are tired of GreyStar bullshit.
Hate Heights
12:42 pm on Saturday, November 10, 2012
Yes,
I also live in the C building and the bug problem is still bad. Plus, MAJOR water issues- I should not be paying $1245 a month to have it rain in my bedroom. Numerous maintenance people told me to move out of my place because problems could not be fixed. Management told me I would be transfered to a better apartment Nov. 1st, and I am still waiting. They won't even return my calls.
heights
5:16 pm on Monday, November 12, 2012
I'm having a stroke reading these comments... I moved in two 1/2 month ago and had many issues with my apartment already including "rain in my bedroom and living room" ... I was told about 2 weeks ago that maintenace was goiing to have the glass company come by in 1 - 2 days and to date no one has fix my windows... my roof is cracked and discolored because of the rain... I'm now trying to resolve all these issues with our manager....
Matt Skoufalos
5:49 pm on Monday, November 12, 2012
Please reach out to me at matt.skoufalos@patch.com. I'll be happy to come talk with you and see if we can help take a look at your situation.
tenant
5:21 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
i pay senior rate and my rent only goes up $10.00 this year it went up $25.00 and more money to have renters insurance or we will be evicted. is the increase because of th valet trash that nobdy wanted?