Catawba Apartments — Local services in Belmont

I moved in these apartments in August of this past year and my first water bill issued was $125.00. That is astronomical for two people who both work more than 40 hours a week outside of the apartment and travel the majority of weekends. Just the sewer itself was over $60. I went ahead and paid it and began speaking with neighbors. The neighbors I spoke with never have had a water bill more than $70. After hearing that, I called the property manager, Christian. It was Christy just two weeks prior to this. Christian stated that numerous apartments were having the same issues and he was working with the water company to have the figures adjusted. In the meantime the next water bill was issued and it was $101.25. I called Christian back immediately and he told me just to go ahead and pay my rent but wait on the water since he was still working on the adjustments for now two months. He also sent maintenance out to check for a water leak. Maintenance stated there was not a leak but reiterated the fact that several apartments are having the same issues with the water bill being astronomical. After a week with no resolution, I called the water company myself, EMT. I talked to Tammy in billing and she said that this is the apartment's issue and that they do not adjust any bills unless told to do so due to this being the apartment's profit. I immediately called Christian back and he seemed to not understand the process and said he would continue working on getting adjusted. On November 23rd, I received a call from yet another new property manager, Heather. She called inquiring about the $101.25 balance on my account. I caught her up on the series of events and she told me that she would begin investigating and that she just now started this job in Christian's place. So now this is the third property manager in four months...She also stated that the upcoming month's water bill was just $62.00, which sounded correct. How did it drastically drop $60 if the amounts are valid? So this morning I paid the rent and included the $62.00 for November's water since she stated that she was still investigating the previous month's water bill of $101.25. She immediately questioned the remaining balance and I revisited our conversation from the 23rd. She said she would contact the regional manager and let me know. In the meantime to be more proactive than I had been in the past since still three months later nothing has been resolved, I called the corporate office of Gastonia. The representative then gave me a customer service number. I left a message on the answering machine of customer service considering no one answered. Shortly after, the property manager called me back stating that she had spoke to the regional manager and that the regional manager said that all of the charges are valid and that she cannot even accept my rental payment until that $101.25 is paid. I asked her to please provide me the information for the regional manager and she said she was unable to do so but she could potentially request that the regional manager to give me a call but could not even guarantee that would happen. I called the customer service number immediately back and she stated that she would put in yet another ticket to the regional manager and that she was going to personally call and explain the situation because she agreed this is something that needed to be addressed from a higher-up at this point. She was very adamant about helping me but I still feel like once again I need to continue to be proactive to protect myself in this matter. The lack of communication and employee morale has been very disappointing thus far and I am just seeking answers from someone that is familiar with the system and knows what is going. If you do not want to pay $100+ in a water bill that they cannot validate the usage, then do not move here. At this moment I have requested maintenance to come out and show me my meter and to receive a copy of all of the meter readings since the day I moved in including the one on the...

Avoid Catawba Apartments – a Total Nightmare Managed by Southwood Realty

I lived at Catawba Apartments for two years, and it was one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had with housing. Southwood Realty, the management company, is just as bad as the property itself — unresponsive, unprofessional, and unwilling to take real accountability for their staff or the terrible living conditions.

From the very beginning, the apartment had a severe cockroach infestation that never went away despite countless pest control visits. It had nothing to do with how we lived — our food was always sealed, dishes cleaned, and counters wiped down — yet every “treatment” only seemed to make things worse. It was obvious the problem was widespread throughout the complex, not isolated to us.

One of their previous staff members, Natasha, was extremely unprofessional and even discriminatory toward me. I filed a formal complaint about her behavior with HUD, because no tenant should have to deal with that kind of treatment. Instead of addressing the issue, management defended her and did nothing to correct the situation.

The problems didn’t stop there — my car was illegally towed from the property, costing me hundreds of dollars, when asked where my car was towed to, Natasha tried to tell me she didn’t know, that upper management had it towed and she had to wait a few days before an email would be sent to her informing me where my car was, I called her back and told her that she knows who they have a contract with to do their towing, she reluctantly told me the name of the tow company. The company then informed me she was the one who called them and showed me that she was the person that signed the receipt, we went months without air conditioning due to an outdated unit that management refused to replace promptly.

To be fair, the current property manager is kind and tries her best, but given Southwood Realty’s track record, it’s only a matter of time before they replace her and tenants are left dealing with another disaster.

Do not live here. Between the infestation, discrimination, neglect, and predatory towing, this place is a nightmare. Save yourself the stress and look elsewhere — you’ll thank...

I have lived at Catawba apartments coming up on one year now with my daughter. From day one property manager Ashton was professional, courteous and prompt. The maintenance man Colby. Is professional, courteous and prompt as well. Department itself has two huge walk-in closets. Spacious living room for my living room set and work desk. Bedrooms are quite large in the closet. Space is excellent. The deck is enormous with a storage closet on it which is very convenient. The complex itself which has 100 units is very quiet. Neighbors are mostly very friendly. In. The grounds are very well kept. With dog stations abundant and plenty across the grounds. It's absolutely one of the best places I've ever lived. Although the rent is being increased this year by $100. The quality of life there makes it worth the price. Above all, dealing with Ashton and Colby makes the rent well worth it as their professional and courteous service is something I haven't experienced on that level anywhere else. The pest control and changing a filters for the air conditioning every 3 months is a big help. I've lived there one year and seen exactly one insect inside my house. As much as I love the apartment in the grounds. Easily the biggest selling point for me is the property manner. Manager Ashton. In the maintenance man. Colby, The prompt, courteous and professional behavior. Make a good living situation. Great. I would recommend this complex to anyone. That can afford it. My self-personally. I don't mind paying a little extra for a better quality of life. And that's exactly what I get at Catawba apartments. And I can't state this enough. Kudos to...