Rachel Gardens Apartments — Attraction in Montville Township

I lived in these apartments for around 3 years, from Dec 2020 to Janurary 2024. My overall experience was okay, but there's some pros and cons.

Pros: I never had an issue finding an available spot to park, unless there was construction or some other temporary issue. The unit I had was incredibly large for a 1 bedroom, it's around 1000 sqft. The units are getting more expensive, but in comparision to other complexes, I think that the rent was okay for the amount of space we were getting. The units were remodeled and appliances were all new. The stove and heat is gas. Our washing machine broke and they replaced it with a new machine. Management would come to fix (non-emergency) issues fairly quckly Leasing office was always professional to us. The apartments are very dog friendly and allow larger dogs, which is increasingly uncommon for NJ The apartments are fairly safe and quiet. I haven't seen any issues with break ins, and most of the residents are families. It is a very Indian-heavy community but overall most people that I've encountered are nice. The Montville police patrol frequently. The location is alright, as it's fairly close to Willowbrook Mall and shopping in Parsipanny or Fairfield.

Cons: Parking spots are not assigned and there is (as far as I know) no covered spots available. The layout of the one bed is a little strange. The unit is long and skinny (if that makes sense). The rent is high (but all rent in NJ is high right now). This unit was slight over 2k per month base rent, and has gone up several hundred dollars since we moved in. The mosquitos are HORRIBLE in the summer. I would take my dog out to go to the bathroom and get ten mosquito bites just in that short time frame. You'll get swarmed just walking out to your car, and then end up inside EVERYWHERE including houses and the community gym. Forget using your porch unless you have it screened off or soak yourself in mosquito repellent. I don't know if management does much for it because it's an issue every year. This past year was especially bad. The snow managment is iffy. Back in 2021 when we had a horrible winter, management didn't plow parking spots for almost four or five days. I had to shovel a parking spot two days in a row when I got off work late. People were vandalising other's cars and leaving nasty notes for taking "reserved" (not actually reserved) spots. The last few winters have seemed better, but we also have had sigificantly less snow. The gym is not included in rent and is almost $600 per year. I don't think it's worth $600 a year ($50/month). There are three treadmills, two bikes, two elipiticals, a pull up bar with a cable machine, and some dumbells. It's similar to what you'd find in a hotel. You'd be better off getting a real gym membership for the price. The pool is also not included in the rent. There is a seasonal (?) fee. I don't remember how much it was off the top of my head, but it wasn't worth it for a household of two people. The pool is also swarmed with kids every summer. There are tons of kids in the apartments and they run around in the streets and leave toys/bikes/etc all over the sidewalks. Managment has sent out several emails about having parents watch kids, but most are unsupervised. I've never directly had any issues with the kids, but I usually keep to myself. One of our neighbors had a cockroach infestation and the entire building had to be fumigated. The floors are SUPER THIN. We were in a first floor unit and our neighbors above us were incredibly loud at all hours of the day. Their kids would stomp around at 6-7am on the weekends and they also now have a treadmill, which is insanely loud and they have used it as late as 9:30pm. We complained to the apartments and they essentially did nothing other than say they were going to "do an inspection to make sure they have the required carpets." Apparently they require that floors have throw rugs or carpets if it is a 2nd floor unit, which is also a...

update: im very grateful to report that since leaving my original review, I’ve seen improvements. Cathy has been attentive, follow-up has been made, and communication has definitely improved. While I hope no further issues come up, I appreciate knowing that concerns are being addressed and that the gap in communication has been bridged.

I’ve lived in this complex twice within a few years, and the decline in quality is hard to ignore. What was once a cared-for community has turned into a place where tenants are left on their own, issues go unresolved, and management shows little accountability. For example, my neighbor’s two dogs are allowed to relieve themselves everywhere without cleanup. Despite multiple calls and emails (and surely I’m not the only one), the “solution” I was offered was to film my neighbor for proof. Putting tenants in that position is unsafe, unacceptable, and plain ridiculous — management should be addressing it directly but the problem persists.

Inside my unit, I’ve had to deal with cave crickets and now a serious wasp problem. There is a large nest right outside my patio, and wasps are now coming indoors. Each time I call, I’m told “someone will come”, “it’s logged that someone came by” etc but there is never follow-up, no proof of service, and no clear communication. The problem still exists, so I’m left to assume that no one ever actually showed up despite being told otherwise. Ive even been home to witness that no one is sent to look into the issue raised.

Emergency maintenance has been equally disappointing. In the middle of the night, I had a significant leak in my living room that nearly damaged my belongings. It still took 30 minutes for help to arrive, and during that time the operator couldn’t care less of the severity of the situation, was not empathetic and couldn’t even confirm an estimated arrival time. To make matters worse, emergency staff doesn’t even live on-site, which makes ZERO sense in urgent situations. While the individual who eventually showed up was kind, the lack of urgency and care beforehand was unacceptable.

This community is not cheap. Between the high rent and steep amenity fees, tenants shouldn’t be fighting for basic livable conditions — pest-free apartments, safe common areas, and timely maintenance. Instead, we’re met with indifference, poor communication, and problems that drag on without resolution.

Bottom line: What was once a great place to live has become overpriced, mismanaged, and careless. Pay luxury prices, get...

Worst place since the new management entered. Maintaince guys clearly don’t even come close to caring to fix your problem...They are not clear with their lease. Make sure you make ur self a copy of the lease! Get everything in writing! Trust me! Bc they will out of nowhere come up with a copy of lease that you’ve never seen before...now let me be very clear about the Management of Rachel Gardens which is located in pinebrook nj...first order of business. There’s a lady that goes by the name of dahlia Goldneberg, accountant manager, that absolutely has no filter. This individual is the face of discrimination of Rachel gardens...she has made numerous efforts to go out her way to make sure that you are evicted.She has taking postions that are beyond her authority and has made very bad illegal! Decisions Her decisions are Heinous, egregious, to be quite frank she comes off very prejudice. Never in my life has our family been harassed from any complex management. She charged us $75 late fees on THREE SEPARATE occasions when she clearly stated that she cannot accept our rent checks due to a conflict in the courts. Now that’s in their policy handbook! She also charged us and upped our rent to damn near $1400 a month. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE WHEN WE LIVED IN A RENT CONTROLLED APT. Which means low income building! She charged us lawyer fees, complaint fees. What the hell are complaint fees?! She has made very heinous racial remarks to other tents about our family thinking that we wouldn’t find out. Which we have on record! She threatens tenants verbally when it comes to discussing this complaints and such Mrs Dahliah Goldberg quote “ first off, learn how to speak to someone, bc with that attitude Your not getting anywhere! U know what now u have a week to vacate your apt!” Her service is God awful..All of this will come to light. I promise. As long as she’s the accountant manager there, I highly recommend not renting at Rachel Gardens Pinebrook NJ...You will regret it. There are a lot of things that transpire behind closed doors with the management of Rachel gardens. My question and other former and still current resident’s is question is why do these owners continue to have such employees who act this way. Why would they allow someone to get away with such blasphemous acts. Its destroying their brand which the owners stand behind on. A complex which they say they are proud to serve the community. And this is who you have to represent your complex building? Have you no shame? Have you no shame to elimate...