Richfield Village Apartment Homes — Attraction in Clifton

Review #3 (dated 8/24/2023): It's been over a year since my last two reviews. This time I would like to repeat my commendation of the Leasing/Rental office. From Osyrus to Ligia to Maria and to Mike and to the new leasing manager Alex. Everyone at the Leasing office always goes above and beyond and I appreciate them everyday! Thank you! ---------------- I would also like to repeat my comments of the maintenance office at Richfield Village. Everyone there works their hardest to do an excellent job with the tools they are given. BUT I would like to mention one particular individual whose time for praise is very long in coming. He has been at the maintenance office for a very long time and always does an outstanding job!!! The person I am speaking of is Mr. Richard Joyce. He is a class act and I always welcome him to come and fix whatever is needed. Rich has fixed my lock when it was stuck and fixed my screen door when the glass was shattered. He got my glass replaced within one day! He also replaced my screen when it was torn. Rich has fixed a couple of my windows when they were difficult to open and close. And he checked and replaced, if needed, my smoke and CO detectors. Rich is the best of the best and I just wanted to document this. Rich, thank you very much for ALL that you do! I really appreciate it. FW

I'm attempting to write a second review, but the system is only allowing me to edit my existing review. So, here is review #2: I reported to maintenance, on a Thursday in May 2022, that my toilet had a leak. Luis, who works there, received the ticket on Friday and came over right away. Luis was EXCELLENT! He diagnosed the issue and determined that I would need a new toilet. He also saw that the large pipe going down into the floor needed to be replaced as well. Luis removed the toilet and then made sure that the plumbers would come to replace the pipe the same day. He did not want me to be without a toilet (and especially that it was going into a weekend). Everything worked very well. The plumbers arrived about 3 hours later and did the replacement of the piping and also installed the new toilet. The plumbers did an excellent job. And thank you to Luis for his part and for coordinating everything so well. The next time I have an issue I will request Luis. Review #1 --- This review was written in April 2022 and for some reason it did not post until today, 7/5/22........

I have lived in Richfield Village for over 30 years! So I must like living here.

Richfield Village was built after world war II. So its an old apartment complex and has its issues. Maintenance definitely has their hands full with repair issues and general maintenance. I am sure they are doing their very best. When I have issues they are pretty responsive to me, which I appreciate. Occasionally, I need to call them again to remind them, but that just shows how busy they are. They work very hard with the tools they are given.

As far as the leasing/rental office goes EVERYONE THERE are beyond excellent! They truly care for the residents that live here and go above and beyond to help the residents out when they need it. I would give the entire staff at the leasing/rental office 10 stars if I could. I especially want to mention Gordon Ancis, the leasing manager. I think he is the BEST manager Richfield Village has ever had! He goes out of his way to assist residents with any issues whatsoever. Maria Atti who works as a rental/leasing agent also goes out of her way to resolve any issue she can. She is exemplary. She truly wants to help people to make their living at Richfield Village as comfortable as possible. I truly appreciate all of them. Thank...

PROCEED WITH CAUTION. This property is a nightmare. The process with their management started back in June when I was looking for a two bedroom unit in Clifton to move in for August 1st. The property shows you a model unit when you go to tour, which I didn't question as sometimes units are still occupied or require renovation. Although quite small for the price, after narrowing down my options, I decided to apply. A week later I get a phone call with the approval. However, the original unit for August 1st was suddenly unavailable. They were offering a unit that was going to be completely renovated, but wouldn't be ready until August 15th. This unit was not the move in date I applied for on the application, and it was more expensive. This was the first red flag I should not have ignored. If I was unable to wait past August 1st, my application fee already would have been wasted. At the time, I still had living arrangements and was not in a rush to move. Waiting for the brand new unit seemed like a better option as there wouldn't be wear and tear/damage, everything was supposed to be completely redone. I already went through the process of applying and screening, so I proceeded to put a hold deposit on this unit. Fast forward to a week before move in, I had signed up for renter's insurance as required, and was preparing to set up PSEG, optimum, etc. I got a phone call that the unit was not going to be ready on time, that they needed another MONTH to do renovations. So after waiting 6 weeks for this unit, a week before, they suddenly realize they need another month to complete renovations. Due to "short staffing" which is an excuse in fast food, not property management. Don't market and advertise something you cannot fulfill. They were offering an unrenovated unit as an alternative. At this point, I had regretted ever applying to the complex. I had already paid for renter's insurance to begin on my original move in date and wasted an immense amount of time. Had I never applied to Richfield, I would've already been moved in to a different unit. After all of that stress, I decided to stick to the original unit as planned, as everything was becoming way too suspicious. I figured if anything else hit the fan, I would back out as they kept violating their own terms and offers. Fast forward to September 14th, the day before my move in... Optimum was set up, PSEG arranged, renters insurance arranged, fire hydrant purchased, full deposit and move in costs were dropped off to the office. We were to return the following morning to pick up the key and begin moving in. Later that same day, I got an email stating the unit was not going to be ready for another week. Apparently, this was not due to renovations but due to not obtaining a permit on time for occupancy. Not to worry though, of course they were offering an alternative. The alternate unit was the same layout and price, also "newly renovated". Except upon walking in, all you could notice was the ceiling, which appeared to have suffered major damage, and was very poorly spackled/painted. It was uneven and just plainly disgusting to look at when you first enter an apartment. We already knew we were going to completely back out and get our money back. Additionally, we decided to drive by the original unit which they said was not ready to tour. Which did not make sense since it was... "just waiting for a permit" Low and behold: you could see from OUTSIDE that this unit was NO WHERE near completion. It would not have been ready in a week. In conclusion, this place is a nightmare. Nearly three months after being approved, I am not in my unit, and will not be residing here. Please do yourself a favor and do not bother touring, applying, inquiring. Don't bother wasting a non refundable application fee or your time. Don't waste time on the paperwork, getting documentation, or going to your bank for certified checks. They are full of lies and...

7/17/24: As my prior positive reviews have stated, I am a very long time tenant at Richfield Village. And this time, I want to specifically say Thank You to Maria Atti in the Rental Office. She answers the office phone every time when calling which is a wonderful thing in these days of AI computer generated voice prompts on the phone & online chat bots all of which are usually a waste of time. She handles whatever tenant issues you may have expediently & professionally which is much appreciated. She's a wonderful asset to the complex and the tenants!!

I am a very long term Tenant at Richfield Village. And, I will organize my comments into 3 primary areas:

Management Company (JMG Realty) - Since their arrival 5 years ago, the area VP, Diana P, and Company have done a very good job addressing Tenant needs and have also implemented some new touches & services like (a digital phone system, uniformed employees, a pet policy, resident appreciation days, accepting rent payments at the office & a community coat drive this winter) among other significant changes. These are just a few of the changes under Diana P & JMG Co - there now seems to always be something new on the horizon for Tenant service & improvements which is like a breath of fresh air over the stale status quo that had permeated for many years previously. Of course, implementing all these new changes requires the hard work & professionalism of all on-site RV Staff & Employees. And significantly, Ms Diana P always replies to tenant issues or problems in a very timely manner if not immediately. My Grade: An A

Rental Office - Mr Gordon A, Mgr & Staff all provide friendly courteous service & professional assistance to all Tenants. My contact here is more limited than say with Maintenance but anytime I have a question or need to go to the office, I have always gotten an answer or whatever help I needed and I have observed other Tenants & potential Tenants receiving the same at all times. Ms Juana L is always as helpful as possible and with a smile. And, Gordon A will always reply in a timely manner to calls or emails and is always prepared to give a Tenant a few minutes of time if they go to the office no matter how busy he may be. My Gade: An A

Maintenance Department - Naturally, I can only speak about my own personal experiences.. And during the course of the year, I have had a handful of repairs that needed to be made. And, in ALL cases, the service & efforts by Mgr Tom B & Asst Olja M as well as all field personnel were top notch while being both expedient & efficient. My personal experience with Ms Olja M has always been outstanding. During the last 5 years, she has handled all Tenant repair requests and does a very professional job in a very tough area of responsibility. She replies to all emails and extends the great service with courtesy phone calls to update Tenants. Eddie M is one of the awesome field staff and at all times handles his responsibilities in a very professional & courteous fashion and never fails to go “above & beyond” in getting any repair job done quickly & properly. Bottom line?? The Maintenance Dept staff & service has come a long way over the years and has improved each year. My Grade: An A

Lets Be Fair - Nothing is Perfect and there is always room for improvement in anything. As a long term Tenant, Richfield Village is not just a place where I pay to rent an apartment but more importantly it is where I call “home”. And, if I can be of any assistance to any Tenants or apartment seekers, please feel free to contact me. Always happy to help a neighbor.

Happy...