Lake Meadows Apartments — Attraction in Chicago

I am pretty livid. I am a current resident at Lake Meadows, have been since the beginning of 2016. While I have had some issues over the years with Lake Meadows, such as security issues (my car was broken into and the security wasn't the most helpful), and the fact that you can never and I do mean never call into the main office and get someone (always goes to the off site call center, and they can pretty much only take a message....gee thanks). But overall I was pleased, due to its convenient location, and fair pricing. Well we can take pricing off the list. Now I understand rent in Chicago is going to rise. Just nature of the beast. My rent has risen a little over 15% over the last 2 plus years. Tough, but that is nothing outrageous or unexpected. But, however what has been unexpected is the change by the property manage in how they manage the amenities given to residents and the costs. Over the last year or so, the residents of lake meadows have been nickled and dimed due to only what I can guess is greed by the owners, (I called RCN and they laid this squarely on the property management) and I have just about had it. So let me get specific. In 2016 parking was free for the tenant in the community lot. Change was made last year to charge a yearly rate ($50M I believe) for a parking pass. Okay $50 is nothing to some. I get it, But let's discuss cable and internet and how that has changed, When I began in 2016, there was a modest cable pkg offered by Comcast at no extra cost to residents. Perfect and a nice little perk. Well in the fall of 2017, the building decided to agree to an exclusive deal with RCN. This exclusive deal meant that anyone using Comcast cable, or internet would be forced to cancel, because the Comcast wiring was being removed. Did residents have any say in this? Of course not. Is RCN a better service than COMCAST? of course not? Was this done with the residents of Lake Meadows in mind of course not. The package, though not as good as what Comcast offered was still offered at no extra cost. However, I was receiving Comcast Xfinity internet service at a discounted rate, and I would now need to pay more than double if I wanted to continue having internet. So I was out of luck on the internet and having to pay an extra $25-$30 bucks per month more, but to be fair I still had access to cable to free. So if we are scoring paying for parking in the same lot, and paying for double for an internet service I never wanted, and now receiving a cable package that I feel is worse. But hold on the greed has just begun. So get a notice today that the RCN cable service I never wanted , but at least was free due to the agreement made, was now being transitioned form a bulk agreement to a retail agreement. Meaning residents now would not be getting the basic cable pkg previously offered for free. Residents will now have to pay. How much? Depends on the package....but when speaking with RCN the cheapest bare minimum pricing I was offered was $65 per month. Great, so to get an even worse service than I currently have it will only cost me $65 per month. Who wouldn't take that trade? Keep in mind to match my current package it would be more. So okay surely since the cable is no longer being offered at no cost, the residents of Lake Meadows will now have the option of choosing another provider? Nope. RCN is still the exclusive partner. SOOOOOO alright let's score this. Over the last 2 years. 1) Now paying for parking in the same exact unsecure lot my car got broken into (well they did paint it). 2) went from Comcast cable service I liked to and RCN cable service I dislike, to now an RCN service I dislike just as much or even more and also have to pay at least $65 per month (potentially more) to use. 3) went from receiving Comcast internet at an affordable rate to paying more than double (an additional $25-$30 more per month) for a similar internet speed and package ( I checked, RCN does not offer the same discount programs, or really any discount programs). What did I or the tenants gain? 0. In addition was...

PLEASE LOOK SOMEWHERE ELSE. This apartment complex is one of the biggest scams in the world. When I moved in, the place that I moved in was not thoroughly cleaned. The faucet was broken, the vent above the bathroom is filled with dust, the doors are sometimes hard to open, the cabinets will not close all the way, the refrigerator is browning, and everything has just been repainted over. I have had to throw food away because bugs or mold have been found in it. The door of the fridge sometimes pops back openThere is always a plumbing smell going on. I believe there is black mold in my apartment above my shower. Another thing is they have falsely advertised some of the amenities of their building. Before I moved in, they informed me that the building had a fitness center and a lounge area in the buildings. THAT IS A COMPLETE LIE. Only a few of the buildings, the high-rise apartments, which are only buildings 6-9, have a small fitness center and business lounge. Another thing is the WASHING AND DRYING machine are completely horrible. You will constantly have to rewash and redry your clothes, which is costly and the main reason I seek out laundry services elsewhere. Parking is horrible. They have in my lease that it is only $65 ANNUALLY, which was told to me prior to move in. However, I then called management and they informed me that it changed to $50 MONTHLY back in January, 6 months before I moved in. They failed to inform me prior to moving. I have discovered scratches and minor damages on my car while being parked in the parking lot. Also, they have told me that security is only to ride through the parking lot, not watch your car. People have still had their cars stolen off the lot or broken into. Management of this complex are only nice and professional to you prior to move in. Once you are moved in, they are very sarcastic, rude, and hard to contact. Also, this apartment has a BIG SECURITY PROBLEM. Nothing about the buildings we live in are safe nor surveillance as promised. People are stealing packages. They will allow your packages to sit in the lobby, although it is supposed to go to the Amazon Hub Locker, and the doors are freely open to the public to steal them. They will give you the run around and will not even assist you with the process, even after you have made a police report. I have had two packages so far stolen and they won't do anything for the safety of it. I regret ever moving here and cannot wait until my lease is up. Living in this complex leaves a bad taste in my mouth regarding Chicago Housing. BRING YOUR OWN FAN OR AC UNIT. None of it is provided for you. In the winter, you have no control over the heat because they paint over the knobs. Either the heat gets too warm and you can't turn it off or the heat does not come on at all and you are stuck in the cold. Also, the doors are the opposite . So you can get locked out a lot. You will pay $75 for a lock out, even if you have to take trash to the trash shoot next to your door. I have gotten my car towed, which has resulted in damages to my car. They changed their parking system out of nowhere, in which the new system does not send you reminders to pay for the permit before it expires like the last one. They have no regards for the wellbeing of any resident nor their vehicles. Yet, they have no problem putting nonsense charges on you. There is a big roach , bed bug, and rat problem in these building . Living in this apartment has been so depressing that I have had to start back therapy because this has literally ruined my Chicago experience. I wish I would have never moved here. You are really better off homeless or sleeping in a car. This is one of the dirtiest apartments that I have ever been to. I would never recommend this place to anyone. DO NOT MOVE TO THIS APARTMENT COMPLEX. YOU WILL BE...

Rent increases are obscenely high & each yr there is some type of fee added. This yr its FETCH, last yr it was parking paying $50 to NOT have residents cars towed. Forcing residents to have RCN cable without negotiating a complex bundle price on residents behalf which according to RCN personnel LAKE MEADOWS DK did not do. This allowed RCN to raise rates & not offer any discounts. Cable bills jumped from $45 to $189 when lease renewal occured. Utility taxes increase every yr under the guise of heating cost appartments are still cold in winter (note no heat is required during summer months utility tax should be adjusted downward not up) hot water is scarce in apts & laundry room. Residents have to cool their own apt pay for air conditioner sleeve & glass removal $200+ buy air conditioner shell out $500+ for 1 room. if wind blows out vertical blinds LM DK installs residents have to pay for replacement slats/blinds. 24/7 Marijuana is so prevalent throughout bldg elevator basement foyer. Loud music, cars parked in front hindering emergency & handicapped vechicles. Washer/dryers never work, laundry room always dirty. Short 1 day notices for exterminators, repairs, inspections, no flexible options or rescheduling considerations given to tenants who might not be able to keep or meet LM DK deadlines without threat or intimidation. Smoking & loud talking on balconies. Poor snow maintenance during winter months snow plow trucks push snow up against parked cars hindering residents ability to back out/move cars then being told maintenance personnel can't help elderly, female residents. Dog feces & urine all around bldg, in hallways & elevators. Large dogs (bull dogs, huskies) owners ignoring dog park. disappointing been here over 35yrs to see LM go down this road where money is the driving force no sense that LM nor DK really cares about residents. New tenant obviously have lower expectations & think this life style & nickelling & dime-ing LM residents is the norm. Getting less and less for higher and higher rent. It's disgustingly accepted. Security is a sham. Security cars 2-3 cars to cover 7 bldgs with 12-22 floors thousands of residents guest & employees, escort friends around, drive thru parking lot the wrong way. Allow cars to double park in front of bldg for hours. But will put a sticker warning on residents cars if they are a little over the white/yellow lines, have residents cars towed during the wee hours of night/day. Pressure to renew lease almost 6 months in advance then threatened with penalties increase fees & evictons if you don't renew in advance of lease ending date. Large rent increases don't consider elderly, long term, fixed income, low or moderate income, retired residents. I could go on & on. My dissatisfaction, disappointment in LM DK grows almost daily. LM has turned from a dream to a nightmare..Upgrades, incentives and welcoming incentives and renewal incentives are nolonger offered but LM DK claim they happy we are here as long as we pay higher rent, fees fees and more fees. Truth? If they really wanted & valued our opinions thoughts ideas suggestions I would not be writing this. Positive Changes will indicate LM DK seriousness in its consideration of this and future surveys. Only time will tell If this has been a colossal waist of my & LM DK time. Thank you for this opportunity to voice my concerns for a Place I use to LOVE living in. Sjg - From a verified resident on...