I orginally chose Haven for the great move-in specials, preferred employer discounts, and the sense of security they had by providing gated access. Unfortunately, the gated access was a false sense of security. I have lived here since the middle of September and the gate has been down maybe a total of 2 months tops. Sure, it's open during business hours and that's understandable but after that there have been issues all the time. It's not ok when other apartments have the same amentities and their gates work appropriately.
There's fees for everything. Paying rent online every month has a fee and it doesn't matter if you pay via bank account, debit/credit card. You'll get a tiny card in the mail showing how much you owe each month and even that has a processing fee. If you want the convenience to pay for everything all at once (meaning your utilities too) in the office.. Guess what? You'll pay a "small" set up fee for the "ability for us (the office) to see your rent, water, sewer, trash, pest control and utilities would be so you can pay it all right here in the office!" This comes AFTER you've already paid Spire's (gas company) set up fee if you're lucky unlike me who wasn't and wouldn't come out until the following Tues or Thurs NOT the Thurs when I was supposed to move in (not their fault). So just be careful if you've been put under the impression that the apartment you can apply for right then is "move-in ready" is actually ready ask a few times ;). Bottom line?? Move in specials are great! Just be prepared everything could potentially have additional fees. In my case and my friends, they our exact apartments we had applied for online were not ready on the dates we needed it so I admittedly and stupidly settled for a more expensive place and won't be renewing for that reason and because of the false sense of security (gate).
The one trash receptacle unfortunately gets missued, not to the fault of Haven but they should jump on the valet trash bandwagon.
The parking lots continuously ice up since they slope so it is hard to find good parking. 6-8 spots by my place at least are avoided. This is another reason but not huge reason why I won't renew. It's troublesome walking to my car. There are car ports for $25/month that don't require you to keep it your whole lease which is nice or choose a closer spot to your building for $15 or $20/month I can't remember.
Pest control has just been increased in frequency which is not what I'm used to. It's every other week. I'm used to once every few months which makes me nervous there's an issue. Some might like that but I work nights and don't want the interruption that frequently and I'm a private person. Personally, I haven't seen a pest issue and my close friend lives in another building and I don't see a pest issue in her apartment either. I scoured reviews before choosing Haven and pest issues didn't seem to be one of them so to increase the frequency seems to be excessive but that could just be me, again, I'm a private person.
I do enjoy the text system the apartment management uses to communicate out to their residents. I feel it's easier to communicate back when there are questions/concerns vs e-mail or phone.
Maintenance does a great job. They deserve a few more people to help them however, that's commonplace at any workplace. It is an underappreciated profession. I have a whole list of things from my move-in check-list that never was done but it's ok by me. I have it listed so it'll be there when I move out too. I don't fault them for it.
I do enjoy the wood burning fireplace, soft closing cabinets/drawers and large closets all things you can't find elsewhere. Again, management has changed since I moved in but the fees are still there and the gate is still open. There hasn't been any major issues with theft, crime, pests, *knock on wood* that I know of so I would still recommend Haven but only if you get a top floor apt. You'll hear your neighbors above you otherwise. Every.single.thing. they do I promise!
Meagan Rukavina
March 02, 2019
