Meridia Metro Apartments — Attraction in Hackensack

THEY GIVE YOUR PUBLIC INFORMATION OUT - I was added to several distribution lists that I did not subscribe too and found out it was because Meridia Metro gave them the email addresses of the entire building's residents.

TL;DR - DO NOT MOVE HERE.

The positive reviews are from new residents - when I first moved in I loved in, but after a few months I realized how horrible this building is.

We have had multiple serious issues, which is bad enough, but the way the staff reacted pushed us out. One night our key fob wouldn't open our door; the door itself had to be reset. However, since it was late, the leasing office was closed AND there was no emergency phone number listed on the website. After 30 minutes of trying the door and looking for a phone number, we were finally able to get in the room, then the next day it happened again. When the staff finally realized it was the door itself, the only person who could reset it was 20+ minutes away, so we sat outside our door waiting.

Another night, the fire alarm in our unit malfunctioned and went off around 5am. We put in an emergency maintenance request, but again, since there was NO emergency phone number listed on the website at the time, we couldn't do anything. When the leasing department opened at 8am, we called them, who said they would send someone down right away; a full hour later, with the alarm still ringing, no one was there. When we called back again, they said they would send someone down right away. Another 45 minutes later, after FIVE HOURS of the fire alarm going off in our unit, someone finally fixed it. Another time, the elevator slammed into me; I submitted a maintenance request explaining the situation, which was closed with no remedy. I re-opened the request, someone reached out for more details to which I responded, and then nothing. That is bad enough, and I could have made a big deal out of the fact that the property management was ignoring me, regardless of the outcome. However, during our move-out inspection, the Super Intendent of the building went to the woman doing the inspection and said, "we've had problems with these people before," and brought up the elevator incident, mocking me by throwing himself into the closet door.

The parking spaces are so tight that you cannot have 2 large cars/SVUs next to each other without damaging the other car. The "gym" equipment was constantly broken or being repaired, and once I could not even get in because the door had to be reset (similar to our apartment door). The elevators are slow, poorly programmed, and the moving schedule isn't posted so the already slow elevators can be even slower when people are moving. The stairs are external, so you need to use your key fob to get back inside. However, those were the least of my issues with this terribly managed...

This was the worst management ever. First of all, without considering the other facts, they discriminated me for immigration purposes asking for documents that show that I will stay beyond my visa permit date (Which is completely ILLEGAL to deny housing for immigration reasons). Secondly, I went to see the apartment beginning of December and was sent a link to apply (while I was told that the apartment is ready for December 15). However, I applied later to move in on 31st. I called the property before applying to make sure that everything is all set for me to apply and that I can do a move in date on 31st of December). The property manager assured me that the apartment is available.

I applied and got the third party company's report right away (for the background check and income check). I called them and they confirmed that the report has been sent to the property manager on the 27th and I should ask them whether I am approved or not.

I wait for the agent to reply and she says that I dont have all the documents (when even before applying I asked her whether my supporting documents will work and are enough). I kept sending her documents that were not forwarded to the property manager(due to disorganization between staff). I kept on calling the manager and he never picked up (YES THEY NEVER PICK UP THE PHONE , their number doesn’t even work). After picking up he asked me for additional documents, which I sent right away. He kept saying he will get back to me and never did. Nevertheless, I call him the next morning and he says that I cannot approve you because I don’t recognize the bank statement (which show additional family support) and that he only needs paystubs(which I also gave).

After all that going back and forth he starts shouting on the phone and hangs up on me saying he is busy.

And he also states to my roommate that even if we get approved we wont be able to move in on time because the apartment is not READY.

This had gone too far, as I was not flexible with the move in date and that is why I confirmed with them the availability of apartment before applying. The agent told me that the assistant manager was weong and that the apartment wasnt ready (when she herself also told me it was ready). And at the end they had the courtesy to accuse me me that I lied about my income (LIKE I GAVE THEM ALL THE DOCUMENTS POSSIBLE AND EVERYTHING WAS VERIFIED).

After all the distress and the trouble they caused, He even says I can give you another apartment. DONT EVER MOVE IN HERE , you can also read other reviews that people have and...

Pros: -Great location -Didn’t hear the neighbors much -Very nice cleaning ladies -Maintenance makes the building tolerable -Nice appearance -They finally upgraded the doorbell so you can buzz people in -Really nice apartment with high ceilings -The rooftop was my favorite spot in the building to watch the sunset -Hackensack Library is great for the kiddos -They sometimes do yoga, Zumba and boxing which is super cool -They have monthly events in the lobby, for example waffle night Cons: -Leasing office is impossible to get a hold of -Laundry machines don’t wash your clothes properly -Dryers are always broken and take your money -Elevators are always broken AT THE SAME TIME (don’t live on the 5th floor) -Water is constantly being shut off -There is dog urine in the stairwell every single morning -No visitor parking -The gym is always missing weights -The fire alarm will go off at 12 am on a school night -Homeless people sleep in the fountain out in front of the building and in the park right next door -My key randomly stopped working one night and I had to wait 1 hour outside of my apartment to get it -They don’t always salt the sidewalks and I found that out the hard way (I slipped and got a bulged disc) -There was a week of car break ins in the parking deck assigned to the building -Someone people will let their kids run around and play soccer in the hallways so if you have a dog they will go a little crazy at times

I enjoyed my time there but I’m very glad it’s all over. When you go home you want to relax and destress, not have to climb 6 flights of stairs after a 14 hour shift. Every elevator ride you will take with another person will result into you having a conversation about how much you hate the elevator. I dwelled every moment of that building unless I was in my apartment and didn’t have to do anything. Laundry was a hassle. They closed the laundry room for almost a month because none of the machines were working. The elevator took 6 mins to get to the 5th floor and back. For the price you pay for rent and “amenities” it’s insane to me they couldn’t maintain anything. Thank you Meridia...