So, once I'd gone through the BBB complaint filing process (very easy and free, they're listed under "Slosburg Company") and let Richdale understand that I knew that what they were doing was illegal --suddenly, they gave me nearly every penny I'd asked for in my final demand letter. I had asked for specific invoices and they kept telling me "oh sure, we'll get those to you" but since I knew they didn't exist (the lack of invoices proving fraudulent deductions), I wasn't surprised when I got the call where they said "We can get you the invoices, but let's go ahead and resolve this without all of that." They knew they didn't have them and I knew they didn't have them so I asked for everything back, a bold move. It worked.
In a very dumb move on their part, they were short by just a few dollars. I'd written up an agreement that said "if you decide to become honest and pay me the $x you owe then I will remove my blog and replace it with a statement saying we'd reached an agreement" Since they fell short by only a few dollars (in Richdale's final attempt to screw me) it actually released me from any moral obligation to the agreement we had (I'm a software developer so "If X then Y" they chose to not do X, clearing me from doing Y, very basic). I got nearly my entire deposit back (~$479), rather than the ~$140 they initially offered me. And since they didn't hold up their end of the agreement, I have no qualms about continuing with my blog and seeking to spread the warnings of what they are doing. I want to help current residents get their money back on move out and prevent prospective tenants from considering moving there. Together we can bring their illegal practices into the open.
On move out, they actually tell people that I am crazy and a liar and to please write up a positive review to counter all the negative ones. But as you can see by this review, since they continue to screw people, all it does is make people more likely to post how bad their experience was. The workers who tell you that I'm lying probably believe it themselves, because they were not involved in all the calls and emails and have been told by management a series of lies and they spread those lies, believing they are true. I think most Breckenridge employees are naively unaware of what Richdale does to the former residents after they move out. I really didn't have problems with Breckenridge, it was the property management company that owns them that is full of crooks and liars, who will all (unless they've jumped ship and joined the prosecution) eventually see their day in court being prosecuted for the fraud they are involved with.
But, fortunately, the internet is a powerful tool to make people aware of companies that you should steer clear of. Richdale's practices have worked for so many years they don't know how to adjust to all the easily accessible truths surfacing about them preventing people from moving in, and they are hurting from the many previous tenants' terrible reviews. All they have to do is stop screwing people with bogus move-out deposit deductions and they'd increase their rating, simple! They know how valuable apartment review sites have become recently, which is why they not only encourage people to post positive reviews, but as you read in the linked review above, former employees have admitted that they routinely post bogus positive reviews in an attempt to deceive potential renters. So their very low rating is even AFTER having stuffed the ballot box! DO NOT RENT FROM ANY RICHDALE PROPERTY. If you are already there, please call me and I will give you advice on your situation to help you not get screwed by them. Knowing is half the battle!
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ha, like the title. like the "i'm the one your mother warned you about" saying.
ReplyDeleteYes, anon, very good on picking that up. lol
ReplyDeleteI never really have had a huge problem with Richdale. I lived at Lionshead for about 3 years, and then a year at Brekenridge. I did find that I liked the office people at Lionshead better then Brekendridge, and encountered more billing issues with Brekenridge then Lionshead. I think sometimes the level of service is really dependent on the apartment office as well as coporate. I am currently disputing a charge to my security deposit refund, and hopefully with your advice, will get my full refund back.
ReplyDeleteTeeny, did you get your security deposit back?
ReplyDeleteI'm currently in a fight right now with Richdale. I wish I would have known all this information before I signed a lease with this terrible company. I wrote a review about my situation on every apartment site possible. They are trying to make me pay an additional 30 days for giving them my 60 days notice not on the first. My rent is 755 and they want me to pay for the ENTIRE month of September. My lease ends August 31st. I called in my notice on July 6th (since offices were closed the 4 and 5th). I thought 60 days would be September 5th, but no they want me to pay 950 for an apartment I pay 755 for. Who in their right mind would pay 950 for a small 725 sq ft one bedroom apartment. The letter they sent never mentioned 60 days!!! When I mentioned this to Kim at Corporate she said their wasn't enough room on the form. Funny, there was enough room to mention they are charging for water and their new lease rates. There was a whole two pages about the water going up and about why renting is such a good option. I'm afraid to move out in August because I'm going to have to fight to get my security deposit back and not have to pay for an empty apartment for 30 days! What is wrong with this company. I've been a good resident for the last 10 months. I've paid my rent on time, never been loud, and been respectful of the property. It's just bad business.
ReplyDeleteAfter moving from another town I choose to move into a Richdale...nick name dickdale, cus people running it are dicks to work with...LOL!!!...only signed a 6mos lease...thank goodness!....lived there for 4mos (Mid August til Mid December)...gave my 60day notice in writing...never hung anything on the walls so not holes...still had two months lease left to pay when I moved out and paid January's rent on the 1st even though I was not in there and had turned in my keys...received a bill for Feb's rent on the 11th of January with all my security deposit and pet deposit...fyi: shows that the place was cleaned when I moved out...I gave written notice that manager of the apt was to walk though with me when I turn in keys and note any repair issues...anyway back to the bill they started calling me for their money and my sister on January 25th for their money when I was not in breach of my contract and my rent was not due until Feb 1st. Then we could go into the living conditions that my children were exposed to while I was living there...walking out to my car my youngest stepped on a nail which went into her foot...dog poo poo everywhere...we had a nice breeze across our bedroom in the winter with the windows closed...mold...windows molded because they were not insulated so heat against cold made mold...was worried about my kids leaning against rail on deck and rail breaking...rail was very unsecure...I often had to spray fabreeze in the hallway because it stunk so bad...one evening we had the JOY of sleeping in paint fumes from primer that they painted another apt with and did not bother to air out...my whole family was sick the next day. By the way for those of you that have already posted you should post under your apt name also because I googled the apt name before I rented not knowing that it was owned by Richdale and did not see bad reviews so I will also be posting this under Alpine Village in La Vista, NE.
ReplyDeletethey are charging us all these fees they can't explain. I called and called and they just ignore my calls. We regret so much we moved in into this apartment complex.
ReplyDeleteThey treat employees horribly as well. Ryan in corporate does not know how to be a manager at all. Employee turnover is high. Job security is low. They also train you to lie about what you are telling customers on the phone when they call in asking questions about the apartments
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. This company, the apartment, all of it was the worst experience I've ever had involving housing.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't even give them one star if I had a choice. Have been trying to get my hold money back for an apt since June 13th, was told on June 13th by Keenan Carson that a check would be issued next week. On Friday June 24th still no check had been issued, spoke with his boss Mandy Richardson told her I expected check to be at the apt on Mon June 27th at 12:30. She promised that it would be......guess what still no check after I spent my entire lunch hour driving there to pick it up. These people are a bunch of lying bastards, I'd bet money one of these two is pocketing money!!! So far 49 emails, 5 phone calls, 2 fb complaints, 1 google complaint & still no money back, whatta bunch of thieves...............
ReplyDeleteFile with the BBB. You fill it out online, it's free and easy and then they make the calls on your behalf and send you updates about the progress. It hurts their rating with the BBB.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for providing this website. I really wish I had found it prior to having moved into one of their properties. However, it gives me hope that I can fight them illegally retaining my deposits.
ReplyDeleteI moved into these apartments 7/2015, and I wholeheartedly regret it. The first of the issues began when they were allowing people in my building to throw garbage off their patios. I called to complain MANY times. Many meaning at least 6. I called to complain about the man next door screaming at all hours of the night, nothing was ever done. I called to complain about the screaming child downstairs & inquired if I should call the cops since it was becoming a daily thing, no one ever replied to me. I called to complain that my drawer for my silverware was literally falling in, that had to be fixed 3 times because the maintenance guy is either incompetent or doesn't have the correct tools to do the job right the first time. Another issue I had was with the quarterly "inspections." it was funny, the first three or four quarters we were there, they came in at least twice a quarter. Once for inspections, the 2nd for furnace filters. interestingly enough, they stopped doing & only restarted shortly after we moved out (thank god). The best part of the inspections was that they wouldn't do them & would basically tell me that I needed to be home & on their schedule because they were terrified of my dogs (25 & 35 lbs.) I understand not everyone loves dogs, but for christ's sake, what are these dogs going to do to 2 or 3 maintenance men. I am currently in my new apt & i have been waiting since Jan 2 (office closed jan 1) for an answer on my pro rated rent for January.. I said I could estimate it based on fees, but don't want to be short or over any money. For some ungodly reason, the leasing office at the complex can't calculate this number for me.. Even though I called previously & they told me they could only give me the number for the pro rated rent once I turn my keys in. I am not thrilled & I would definitely attempt to resolve this with corporate, but can't! I am curretnly waiting for a call back from those idiots & have been calling once every hour for five hours now. So done. So pissed off. Will NEVER recommend this company, especially this property.
ReplyDeleteCan the author of this blog please contact me ASAP. My wife and I are currently in disputes with Richdale and could REALLY use your knowledge/help. PLEASE I hope you can respond. Thank you
ReplyDeleteMy son resides at Luxomburg in Minneapolis. This is his 1st apartment on his own. They are starting thee same tactics on him. They made him overpay for July when he transferred to another floor, then he had a roommate. He has emailed the accounting specialist at corp. in Omaha and she responds very condescending, RUDE. You FUCKED with the right one this time.
ReplyDeleteI am currently in a 3500$ dispute with richdale at the moment. If the author of this blog could contact me it would be much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteRichdale hiring is not any more competent. I guess it's a blessing that I don't plan to proceed, based on what I've read above. Shameful for ANY company to conduct business, on any level, in such a shoddy and unprofessional manner. Family owned? Even more shameful to the 'family' currently operating the properties.
ReplyDelete