345 Flats

Disappointing Experience at 345 Flats

I moved into 345 Flats in August 2025 and have already signed a lease to stay for another term, so I’m not someone who just moved in and immediately decided to complain. I’ve given this property a full year and genuinely wanted to have a good experience here. Unfortunately, my experience with management and communication has become increasingly frustrating.

My most recent issue involves the covered parking space included with my lease. Parking was assigned… on August 12, and I immediately contacted the leasing office because the space I was given did not match what I am supposed to receive. Since then, I’ve had to repeatedly follow up just to get updates. Multiple different staff members have responded, including Megan, Morgan, and Ethan, who said he was working with Michael to resolve it. Despite bringing this to their attention immediately, I still haven’t received a clear solution.

I shouldn’t have to repeatedly contact the leasing office about something that is clearly included in my lease. Classes start August 24, and I should not be starting another term here while still trying to get a basic lease-related issue resolved.

What makes it even more frustrating is seeing the office send out other building-wide emails and put up things like a giant whiteboard asking residents whether they prefer hot dogs or hamburgers while actual resident concerns remain unresolved.

I also find it concerning that the property manager, Michael, has personally left a positive review for the property while 345 Flats has been receiving increasingly negative reviews from residents. Instead of focusing on improving the property’s image, management should focus on addressing the issues residents are actually experiencing.

I don’t expect an apartment complex to be perfect. Problems happen. What matters is how management handles them. Unfortunately, my experience has been that getting relatively simple issues resolved requires repeated emails and far too much patience from the resident.

I’m already committed to another term here, which honestly makes this even more disappointing. I wanted to continue living here, but experiences like this make me question that decision.

If you’re considering 345 Flats, I strongly recommend reading the recent reviews and talking to current residents before signing a lease. A nice building and amenities don’t mean much if management struggles to communicate and resolve basic resident concerns. Read More

I rented a 4-bed apartment August 2023-July 2024 with three friends for my senior year at Kent State University. The apartment and complex itself was, in my opinion, standard off-campus college housing (standard, cheap furniture, somewhat expensive, bad soundproofing, and full of college students). That was all completely expected and acceptable, but the real problem I had was during and after my move-out. In my experience, 345 Flats/Book&Ladder upon move-out will try to get as much money out of… you as possible unless you have clear, precise proof that you didn’t cause the damages (basically document EVERYTHING, even flipping over the mattress/furniture when moving in).

345 Flats asks for a $250 security deposit and an inspection form completed upon move-in, so I did my best to follow the prompts and document clearly visible damages throughout my room and the common spaces. At move-out, they charged me an additional $150 of damage fees for a cleaning fee, a damaged mattress, and broken blinds. I had never thought to flip over the mattress as it wasn’t asked on the inspection form, nor did I pull the blinds down to their fully opened position because they went past the window sill. After being largely unresponsive and hard to reach regarding my damage charge disputes, Book&Ladder refused to negotiate the charges. I even called the City of Kent’s Housing Department who informed me that landlords can not charge “general cleaning fees” as they are covered under wear and tear. All 3 of my roommates were charged the same $90 cleaning fee, so in the end they were taking $360 for our entire apartment for a fee they are not allowed to charge. Basically Book&Ladder was unjustly charging residents move-out fees, neglecting to respond to my concerns, and ruining my perception of their business habits. I write this review purely as a warning to all future 345 Flats or Book&Ladder residents to document EVERYTHING with pictures, videos, etc. upon moving in. The City of Kent’s Housing Department recommended filling out the inspection form, but also taking pictures of all damages, even for furniture, etc. that’s not on the inspection form and asking the landlord to sign a paper saying they know the damages were not caused by you. The apartment served its purpose for my last year of college, but I urge you to document everything. 345 Flats and Book&Ladder do not follow great business practices and will try to take as much money from you and your roommates as possible. Read More

Do not send an application fee in on this place unless you go and do it in person. My daughter applied on line. They charged her $200 applications fee and me a $25 fee to cosign and they have an 85 person wait list for the fall. Even though they are advertising for fall leases, they are full until fall of 2023. They will not refund our money...because in the fine print it says they aren't responsible if they don't have an apartment to lease.

Jan 2022: Do not sign a lease for this place. It would be a big mistake. I’m a proud KSU alumni, my daughter lives here and I wish we could get out of the lease. I used to sing the praises of this place. I was wrong. The management is inflexible. The price is OUTRAGEOUS. The WiFi is weak. There are other places to live that are much better. I am SO very disappointed. Realty management is not an easy endeavor. But there is SO much room for improvement with 345 Flats.