Robert E. Lee Apartments

Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because: I have not had any response from the owner or any of their staff (minions) concerning the complaint I have filed Additionally, the laundry room located by my apt., is always dirty with trash (trash: clothes, candy wrappers, soda bottles, lint residue from washed clothes, discarded newspaper, etc.) constantly, in and around the garbage cans and garbage can are full of trash most of the time *** mentioned that the (non-english speaking and most likely, undocumented puerto rican immigrant) maintenance person was only temporary, however he is still here On approxDec 15, 2014, I stopped by the office and inform *** (a.k.aoffice ornament) of there being trash on the steps on the fourth floor stairwell steps, leading down to the third floor (one week later, trash is still there) Recently, the floors exiting the elevators redone...Great, however, there were no danger signs posted (there was pieces, chips and air borne dust particles from the workers hacking and braking away at old tile, glue and mortar to replace it with new The epoxy adhesive used to glue the replacement vinyl stripes was very toxic Again, there were no prior notices posted of these maintenance events (date, time), affording residents time to make arrangement for lodging elsewhere if that is what resident chose to do (***'s owner; mismanagement will not be the tenants misfortune)
Regards,*** ***

Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because: I suppose someone other than the apartment manager, who played a large part of dealing with these issues, should have contacted me directly No one, other than "***", has had any contact or communication with me The only good that has come from all of this, (my reporting of Robert ELee Apartment; inadequate fire and smoke detection, renter lease agreement and incompetent, misguiding; management and supervision staff, maintenance personnel, and answering service), is that I finally was given my laundry room key, mail box key, and was granted permission to exit the lease without penalty How generous, letting out of my lease and all! Can't say that I blame them, can't have someone going around exposing deficiencies around here, no sir, not good for our "duct tape" business
According to the rental agreement, "if a tenant tampers with the smoke detection apparatuses (unless otherwise given by Texas property law, which by the way, is governed by Texas property law!), In Accordance with Texas Property Law"; Robert ELee Apartments will sue a tenant in the amount of; one hundred dollars ($100), plus one months rent ($670), plus attorneys fees, plus damages. I was instructed by both, the apartment manager and the maintenance man, to pull the batteries out of the smoke detector...my sister and the SAFD fire chief witnessed this and I recorded the entire event Furthermore, I wasted five hours Saturday morning trying to get into a locked launder wash room because I was not give a key Meanwhile, my sister and I suffered unwarranted stress wonder if there was an actual fire while the smoke detector siren blaired until the maintenance man whom had to come from across town on public transportation, finally arrived at noonI will retain an attorney at my earliest convenience and seek adequate equitable compensation settlement.
Regards,*** ***

Robert E Lee Apartments [redacted]
[redacted] 0. ###-###-####|F. ###-###-#### December 18, 2014 RE: ID# [redacted] Your 2nd letter has been received and reviewed. Again, we thank you for your initial letter which provided details where improvement in our customer service and operations was needed. As of the last correspondence management and all involved were counseled, trained and redirected to properly handle a situation as yours should one arise in the future. As a reminder, management always encourages our residents to contact 911 or immediately call local medical emergency, fire or police personnel in case of accident, fire, and smoke, suspected criminal activity or other emergency involving imminent harm. We sincerely apologize for the incident which occurred on November 15, 2014 and management has sincerely worked to correct the issues. However, due to your continued dissatisfaction we are again offering the opportunity to relocate with no penalty. We hope like other residents at the Robert E Lee Apartments, you will find satisfaction in our true attempt to rectify this matter.

Review: At approximately 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, November 15, 2014, I set out to wash clothes only to find the laundry room (or wash room) locked (no posting as to why). At 8:45 a.m., I called the Robert E. Lee on call answering service. I was immediately put on hold by a person who identified herself as [redacted]. Approximately ten (10) minutes more passed and a person who identified herself as [redacted] came on the line and began to ask the nature of my call. I told her that I was a tenant at the Robert E. Lee property, in apartment [redacted], and that I needed to wash my clothes but that the washroom was locked. I also mentioned that I wash my clothes on Saturday mornings and that I had observed a man washing clothes the night before and the washers were in good working condition. Then [redacted] began to ask for more identification information which I felt was not warranted or needed to access the washroom (she asked for my name, etc). I became very irritated and reiterated that I all I wanted to do is wash my clothes and I was a veteran with disabilities and I did not want to go out on this cold day to wash as my back was hurting. [redacted] became short and snappy while indicating she would alert someone. Also, because I perceived that I was being given the run around, I asked [redacted] for the name of the company she was working for and their contact information and she refused saying I could get that information from my apartment manager. Also, I was told by a tenant that the washrooms were closed and locked every weekend and I would need a key to get in. I have been living here and management "[redacted]" nor anyone else has never mentioned that the washrooms were closed and locked on weekends and that I needed a key to get in the wash rooms.

At approximately 9:45 a.m. the smoke detector in my apartment began to sound with a high pitch piercing sound. I called the answering service announcing that I thought I had an emergency because my smoke detector in my apartment was sounding for no apparent reason and that I was in apartment [redacted]. The person answering the phone call identified herself as [redacted] and I began speaking by saying that I had a possible emergency as the smoke detector in my apartment had began to sound. [redacted] immediately put me on hold. After ten minutes of holding, a person identifying herself as [redacted] came on the line and [redacted] asked the nature of my call. I told [redacted] I thought I had a possible emergency as my smoke detector was sounding. Again, [redacted] began to ask for specific personal information, at this point I became very, very upset, [redacted] put me on hold for fifteen more minutes. The apartment manager ([redacted]) called 10:30 a.m. and ask what was happening and by this point I was very upset because my sister (whom is a senior citizen, and I were going to have to leave the apartment because of the loud piercing sound coming from the smoke detector. [redacted] said was more preoccupied with what the rude people at the answering service told her about me then the fact that I have a potential fire in my apartment. An hour and thirty minutes late I call the, City of San Antonio Fire Department, [redacted] at [redacted]; Refer to case number:[redacted]/Badge #[redacted] / TEL: ###-###-####, and told them what I was experiencing. [redacted] said it was good that I had called them and they would come out right away. Also, [redacted] said that the apartment properties were given a total of five false alarm visits, so in light of that fact and of the apartment manager "[redacted]" statement that I had been rude to the answer service operators and the length of time it took for the maintenance personal to arrive, I perceive that both the apartment manager "[redacted]" and the answering service operators were acting together maliciously and retaliatory by allowing hugh amounts of time to go by before calling for the maintenance person to come out and fix the problem. Also, I asked the maintenance man for a key so that I could access the wash room and he said he did not have an extra key. There have been several occasions that I verbally notified the apartment manager about a water leak underneath the kitchen sink, roach infestation and termites in the apartment; only to be met with an heir of indifference and nonchalance.

If there had been an actual fire in my apartment, I would most likely be dead.

This incident has been an eye opener to me concerning the management deficiency that exists at these apartment. I am guaranteed a safe place to live under Texas Real Estate Law.

I am a US Veteran with medical disabilities.Desired Settlement: 1) Robert E. Lee apartment management staff and maintenance personnel should be re-evaluated on ability to perform their duties in a courteous and professional manner.

2) Remove and hire competent apartment management staff and maintenance personnel.

3) Remove current answering service company and hire a competent, courteous and professional answering service company.

3) A current fire code inspection should be conducted by the fire marshal immediately upon receiving this complaint and should be displayed publicly for all potential and existing tenant and staff.

4) I am requesting to be placed in a property owned or outside ownership of Robert E. Lee properties which guarantees the safety of myself and my visitors as per Texas Real Estate Law; at the expense of Robert E. Lee apartments.

5) One month of laundry service, to be picked up and delivered at my apartment, at the expense of Robert E. Lee Apartment's properties owners.

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted], Thank you for taking the time to provide the details regarding the incident and inconvenience you experienced November 15. It is with deep regret I read your frustrating experience. Please be assured we have taken note and the following corrective actions have been taken. · The property staff has been counseled regarding the nature of the inquiry. · The answering service company has been asked to conduct business with the utmost professionalism. · The fire system at Robert E Lee is required to be inspected annually. The 2014 inspection was completed on 10/15/14. A copy of the report is located in the management office. · Should you desire to relocate, management will release you from your lease contract with no penalty. · Should you prefer to remain at Robert E Lee Apartments, management will deliver a key for the laundry facility. In addition, management will replace the battery or smoke detector when needed or when notified of trouble. Again, thank you so much for your time and truly appreciate your service to our country. Our goal, as management of Robert E Lee Apartments, is to treat each resident with respect and provide quality service.

Review: I filled out an application for an apartment in which the paperwork clearly states non approval in seven days. "We will notify you whether you've been approved within seven days after we receive a completed application. Your application will be considered "disproved" if we fail to notify you of your approval within seven days after we have received a completed application. etc". My application was filled out on the 14th of October by the 30th I still had not received an answer so why is that a legit reason for the apartment manager to keep my money order for herself?Desired Settlement: I would like a full refund of the $200.00 deposit.

Consumer

Response:

Hello

I would like to close Complaint ID: [redacted], as I have filed for a refund with the money order company to get some of my money back thanks.