Mathilda Garden Apartments

"Horrible experience during move out. Zero damage, no dent, nothing major but, we were charged almost $150 per month of stay during move out. All the good things like location, school etc. are washed away due to this one reason."

"The community being at the heart of the city is a good thing and lot of greenery which is pleasant to eyes. However, the management is the worst ever I have experienced so far being a tenant. I have been at different communities but I have never faced issues with management as I faced here. The current leasing manager Rhea and the one before get specifically were the ones I had not so good experience to deal with. Recently I had vacated the community and as we have a 3 yrs old kiddo, we generally maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the apartment too. We ensured to return the apartment the way it was given to us. Yet they deducted whopping 1000$ from the deposit and return approx 800$ only. While few of the items they charged are understandable like painting, professional cleaning, dents, etc. however, she also added perfumed fog spray, and added some more items which actually should be part of professional cleaning only. She did charge $60 for one window slat that was damaged. I called her a lot of times and told her I have proof of the agreement which mentioned only professional cleaning and that it does not add anything about perfume spray and all for which she charged 250$ somewhat. After a long call she agreed as well that this should be something she would discuss with her management too. Yet, after about 5 months she did not reply anything. Her communication was thoroughly in professional at times. She would say “for 2000$ you are getting this much and if you need more you can very well get out of the community” and this she said when we asked her about improvements. I would not recommend this community for management, BUT for close proximity to essential businesses."

"I have been living here for the past 5 years. Had a good experience. Management was super responsive to any maintenance issues I've had. Ria is an awesome property manager, and does an excellent job of ensuring the property is well managed. She is super easy to work with. There were issues with the mail boxes couple years ago, but since they've been updated I did not face any issues. I was always informed on time for any maintenance work and that helped me make appropriate workarounds. One of the best things about this apartment is the Las Palmas park which is right behind the apartment complex. Lots of space to play badminton, tennis, cricket. There is also an option of reserving a barbecue table."

"1. Cost: The cost is relatively cheaper than most areas. However, the units are quite small and close together. The units are also outdated for what you pay for. Also, I have heard reports from most neighbors that rent increases are frequent and common. However, because the building was built 70s it is rent controlled so this is definitely illegal. Also, most reviews state that security deposits are returned in a skimpy amount or sometimes not at all even if the unit was really well taken care of. The security deposit in every circumstance is one month of rent plus $50. So if the studio is $1750, then the security deposit is $1,800. The manager told me that the security deposit was $500, and that if I needed the unit held that I just don't get that amount back. I clarified through email and phone call this amount, and it was not written on the paperwork I was given any other amount than the $500. I was verbally told this as well and in emails. I paid that $500 amount in full. After driving across the country for 10 days with all of my belongings and showing up to move in, the manager tells me last minute that I owe more money for the security deposit. To be exact, $1,300 more, or else I could not move in and I would be homeless with all of my stuff in a Uhaul. 2. Location: The location is the only good thing about this apartment complex. It is within walking distance of several shopping and grocery stores, a park, and a tennis center. It also is a nice-looking area with several trees lining the street. However, every evening the car noise is quite loud because South Mathilda is a heavily trafficked street. Also, most emergency vehicles use South Mathilda as their main route. So, every night and several times a night sirens can be heard."

"1. Management: The manager is very neglectful and is rarely in the office, unless rent is due. There is only one woman who handles everything in the office as well, making it difficult to get anything fixed or handled. Any issues with the building, fellow tenants, or anything are impossible to get resolved because the manager is not in the office most of the time to talk to. The manager also rarely responds to emails and never answers the phone. Even after leaving a multitude of messages after hours with an answering service, none of the messages are returned either through email or call. Most days, there is a paper sign printed out and taped to the door that the manager is out of the office at a "corporate meeting". There should be at least two people running an office with several hundred tenants in an apartment complex. 2. Property and units: The property is not kept up to date. The buildings are very old and look like they are falling a part. The pipes are all connected and the walls are so thin that you can smell the cooking from neighboring apartments through the walls, even with the windows closed. There are rules in place for not having clutter, shoes, and eyesores on the front porches. However, none of these rules are enforced. Furthermore, there is a no smoking rule on the property, but potential tenants are not even screened or asked if they are smokers. So, people abuse the policy and there are people smoking vaporizers and cigarettes on the property grounds and within their units. It has been 3 months since the pool has been working and there is a paper sign taped up not to use the pool. It is still "under construction", but it is filled with water and it has been weeks that it looks useable. I requested a rent reduction because of not having access to this amenity and was denied my request. The tenants keep getting told that the pool will be fixed soon "by the end of the month" but it was been months. 3. Tenants: A majority of the tenants are families with small children. Most of the children wander around unsupervised in large groups creating a lot of noise. A lot of these tenants are loud and have gatherings of people over, even in the small units and studios, with windows and doors wide open until past 11pm. 4. Website and contact: The management and landlords are very outdated. The website is old and limited to outdated images of the units and their square footage; that's it. All rent has to be paid in person by check, which is also an outdated system. Most apartment buildings have the option to pay rent online or apply online. You also cannot apply online to this apartment complex and have to do it all in person. Trying to apply for the apartment through email was such a hassle because the manager is nearly impossible to get ahold of."