Santee Court Apartments

Lived here for 6+ years. It had a lot of potential but It's gone completely downhill because management simply doesn't care. One look at how many open units they have will tell you all you need to know.

What are the problems?

-Management.
They have nobody on site from the Essex team working there anymore. They take forever to answer concerns if they do at all. You'll never meet anyone from the office.

-Maintenance
The maintenance and security guys are good (shout out Ricardo) but completely... understaffed and treated poorly by Essex. They have 2-3 guys to cover roughly 120 units or more. These are old buildings so plenty can happen.

-Stolen packages.
Relentless theft. 50% of which are done by residents. Essex does nothing about it. Can't be bothered to set up cameras near the mailboxes. After years of resident complaints they made a "secure" mail room with a lock for amazon packages. They still get stolen.

-Mail lockers broken.
Constantly smashed and mail stolen. Both these issues have caused residents to pay a monthly 3rd party to hold their mail. So factory that into the cost.

-Parking.
If you don't pay for underground parking your car will get broken into. If you pay for underground parking. Your car will still get broken into.

-Proper locks.
In some of the buildings the stairwell locks are not secure meaning transients can come into the hallways and set up shop.

-Lack of proper screening.
Since their resident numbers have fallen Essex is very relaxed with screening people in this building. As you'll see in other reviews this has led to issues such as methlabs, illegal casinos, shady AirBNB's, prostitution rings, and more.

-Cameras.
Most don't work. If they do they will never give you the footage. You will have to get the police involved if you want footage

-Trash.
Their trash removal company is ok but they have nobody on site to manage the trash rooms so many times it will pile up. There was a fire in the chute a month ago that filled floors with smoke. They naturally blamed a resident and not the conditions they allow.

-Costs.
Minor fees like trash and software begin to pile up every year. They will begin raising rent on you every year with no improvements to the spaces. So over time you pay more for less. Thats the standard model.

I understand where we live. There are some sketchy people. But the issue is management. They do not care and seems like they have no incentive to improve. Read More

Came on a tour. Waited for an hour and a half and nobody was able to provide it. Nothing works. Restaurant area very dirty. Gym not working… Seriously guys, you have to change management there. Such a beautiful place but so purely managed! Disgrace

Lived here close to 10 years, in recent years the complex has gone downhill. There is constant urine in hallways and elevators, your packages WILL get stolen by other residents… people smoking crack in the hallways, roof top.. they break into your apartment .. steal your laundry .

I wanted to take the time to provide an overview of the pros and cons I have experienced living here over the last year and why I absolutely suggest you consider other nearby options instead.

**Problem Areas**: Physical security is a huge issue here, audio/visual security is far too limited for the proximity to skid row, package theft has been a repeated problem with very limited (read: absolutely no) support from building management. In one instance, it was determined that a resident was... stealing these packages and no steps were taken to inform or support the theft victims. The property is owner operated, and there is a total lack of interest in investing in better security for this property.

There is no concierge support or ability to have packages securely delivered on-site. The alley that connects the building is constantly contaminated with pet waste and there is a disregard for the people who have to clean this up on a daily basis. There is no hand santizer available anywhere on the property and many residents don't wear masks in the common areas. The amenities are mediocre at best in comparison to the growing number of similar properties in DTLA. For example, the pool area has no landscaping, looks out over skid row, and has fatigued furniture with stains and tears with an unobstructed view of a tent-lined street. It appears as though the property owner has no interest in maintaining a high-quality offering for their tenants to enjoy. Given the pricing is comparable to better-managed properties nearby, there is a real opportunity for Essex to do a better job operating this property.

Also, FYI, if you are on the southeast side of the building you will directly face the Skid Row fire department, which dispatches constantly and rivals the worst nights in NYC in terms of constant blaring sirens. There is frequently loud music played by people living in the streets that blares all night long - you will need ear plugs. Lastly - during the COVIID-19 outbreak, in-person tours are still being conducted, putting the leasing staff and tenants at risk. Other apartment building have switched to a virtual model which I strongly recommend Essex adopt for the safety and well being of our community.

**Summary**: It is on you to accept that you are moving into a property that is directly adjacent to Skid Row (which is getting worse and worse every day) which is going to come with real implications.
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This particular location is flooded with homeless. One block in this neighborhood makes a huge difference. The fire station is around the corner so there are sirens non stop. The homeless encampment on Maple is also very loud. Management is stubborn and unhelpful.