23/1/26
Smoke-Free?? I think not
We applied for a unit at this property because it is advertised as a smoke-free community. We selected a previously privately-owed unit and paid the application and $250 administrative fee before being informed that the previous tenant had been a smoker.
We were not allowed to view the specific unit prior to applying. The smoking issue was only uncovered after our application was approved, and several days later when we were finally able to view the unit. There was still an incredibly... noticeable smoke odor present throughout the entire unit.
Management acknowledged the issue and offered remediation and vendors to treat the unit several days after our approval when we first were able to see the unit (thankfully before we signed a lease). While we appreciate those efforts, we were not comfortable moving into a unit with lingering smoke due to health concerns and the risk of the odor returning ESPECIALLY in a property marketed as SMOKE-FREE.
Had this information been disclosed before applying, we would NOT have applied for the unit. Despite this, management refused to refund the $250 administrative fee, citing a 72-hour policy, even though the critical information that impacted our decision was not disclosed until after that window had passed.
We requested escalation to upper management, and the situation ultimately ended in an unpleasant phone call with Elle, which added to the frustration.
It’s disappointing because the property itself had some potential; however, transparency and disclosure matter, especially when health and safety are involved. Future applicants should ask very direct questions, insist on viewing the exact unit before applying, and get all disclosures in writing.
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