West Half — Attraction in Washington

Stay away and read! We moved in at the end of 2019 and have been extremely dissatisfied with West Half/JBG Smith and JBG Smith.

Leasing: The leasing process started off smooth but toward move in day, became cumbersome to the point that the $500 amenity fee, which we and the leasing office agreed just weeks before was waived as part of the move in special, was charged to our rent. Despite numerous attempts to work with the leasing office, they acknowledged that the deal was no longer valid and it was a miscommunication on their part. There are very competent and excellent leasing agents, but recommend that you obtain all leasing specials in writing.

Move in: When we moved in, the appliances and floor were scratched. Some appliances were not even put together and when functional, are cheap appliances that need constant attention. For example, despite it being brand new, the ice maker on our refrigerator is constantly stopping. It requires the user to manually reset the refrigerator and we will be lucky to go 3 days without it shutting down again. The washer and dryer take upwards of 3 hours just for a dry cycle.

Moreover, the walls are quite thin and we can even hear the TV on in both apartments on each side of ours. The front doors have wide spaces under them enabling noise to funnel into and out of the apartment.

Management under COVID: Despite dissatisfaction with the aforementioned processes, the most disappointing so far has been management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Work orders were effectively put on pause, forcing the resident to fix any and all issues with appliances or around the apartment.

This week Washington, D.C. will begin the phase 1 reopening. West Half, along with 1221 Van and F1rst Residences (all JBG Smith), are continuing to suspend all amenity spaces to residents despite area apartment buildings opening up their rooftops and spaces. The treatment of management upon the residents of West Half and 1205 Collection is akin to a teacher ensuring their kindergartener is following the rules. Their justification lies on the health of the residents and portions of our amenity fee are being reimbursed. However, the latter is only because the DC government mandated apartment buildings reimburse their residents for lost amenity time. The West Half/1205 Collection/JBG Smith management justification is nothing short than a lack of trust in the residents masquerading as though they care about the health of the individual. We continue to pay high rent and while it is understandable that some amenities cannot open yet, residents are not allowed to even go to the roof for fresh air. The rumor floating around is that the rooftop will not even open this summer. My guess is that management doesn't want to pay for cleaning.

Anyone who is considering West Half or 1205 Collection, I urge you to strongly consider the shortfalls mentioned here. The Kelvin, which opening across Half Street, is not JBG Smith owned and includes similar, if not better, amenities than West Half. Plus, their management likely does not imprison their residents or believe in the personal responsibility of the resident. For us, we are going to actively begin trying to...

As West Half and 1205 Collection are managed by the same company, attached to each other, and share amenities, I'm posting this warning to both of their buildings. It's been two years, and there are still significant concerns that need to be detailed for potential tenants. (Note: all references to here and unit are for the 1205 Collection but these buildings are essentially one and the same).

The first year I lived here, everything was great; however, the second it came time to renew my lease, everything went to hell. The lease renewal offer was a $700 increase for a one bedroom with a balcony. When I questioned the management about this, I was informed that there are market reasons for this, except that's a hard pill to swallow when the building accidentally posts my unit on their website for the exact price I was previously paying. I had yet to inform them I would not be renewing my lease, but they decided to tip their hand and post it prematurely. The significant rent increases during this time period are part of a lawsuit by the Attorney General for DC against JBG Smith and other property management companies.

When I moved out, I was hit with a $100 cleaning fee and told that it was required since I did not turn in a cleaning receipt. I told them that this is nowhere in the lease and was never communicated at any point. They admitted this error and refused to remove the charge, threatening collections if not paid, and withheld my security deposit. After three months of repeatedly emailing the Property Manager with no response, a complaint was filed with the DC Housing Authority, and only then was the illegally added fee removed and my deposit returned (with interest).

This should have been the end of it, but low and behold during the proceedings for the deposit return, it was discovered that 1205 Collections does not have a Certificate of Occupancy. Not only is it illegal to increase rent without one, but it's illegal to even rent without it when you have as many tenants as this building has.

This was two years ago, and the build STILL HAS NOT ACQUIRED A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY!

This can be checked via OpenDC's data maps.

How this building has not been shutdown is beyond my comprehension, especially when it's so centrally located yet does not have the required permits. The Bullpen has it. 1221 Vans has it. Christ, even newer apartments still under construction within the area have it. But somehow, the management here has failed to acquire it.

Additionally, the building does not have a business license. Residents in the building do, which is hilarious, but the management does not.

If you read through all this and still think this is the place to be, God speed. For everyone else, like my previous review said...run as far away from this place as you...

Recommend to anyone looking at a JBG Smith property to look elsewhere. JBG Smith has taken an ultra conservative approach to opening their amenity spaces. It has been 3 1/2 weeks since DC went into phase 2 reopening and the residents are just now gaining access to the gym and still have yet to have access to the pool. Moreover, residents have to make reservations just to grill on the rooftop and only between the hours of 11am-8pm. The rooftop on the ballpark side isn’t, and won’t open unless there is a baseball game. In addition, that side of the rooftop consists of large and open rooms for residents to lounge or host guests. The lounge that houses the pool table is also closed. No guests are allowed and there are no plans for this to change. What’s the point of watching a baseball game or enjoying the amenities if you have to do it alone?

No one moves to this property for the apartments but for the amenities. While the management team here has been very responsive to resident concerns, these policies are frustrating many residents to the point that I will be breaking my lease.

At least during this COVID crisis, I recommend anyone considering this property for its amenities to look elsewhere and to properties and management companies that value and trust their residents to be responsible. Most, if not all apartment complexes except JBG Smith have all their amenities and rooftops open. I feel like I’m in college again with an RA dictating what we can and cannot do.

Update: residents are only allowed to go to the rooftop to watch one nationals game a week and without guests. It’s absolutely absurd and virtually every resident I speak to is frustrated by it. For the price you pay at this apartment building, you would expect more. Not with JBG Smith. This building hasn’t even been opened for a year and the residents I speak to aren’t planning on renewing...