Link Apartments® NODA 36th — Local services in Charlotte

This is by far the worst apartment I’ve ever lived in, and I’ve lived all across CLT and the country (including box apartments in NYC) so that’s really saying something. I don’t ever really review things, but this place has a major noise problem because of the cheap structural integrity of the building. There’s zero spacing/insulation between units, so you can hear everything your neighbors are doing at all times. All the units are packed together like sardines, so everyone is on top of each other with paper-thin walls between us. Anytime a neighbor closes their door, slams a cabinet, closes a drawer, you’ll hear a reverberating boom against your shared wall that resounds throughout your unit. The neighbors to my left are constantly screaming and fighting at the top of their lungs, but even worse are the neighbors to my right. My bedroom wall is their kitchen wall, and they’re frequently up throughout the night every night slamming and banging their kitchen cabinets and drawers shut. Of course the sudden and loud force of that violently booms against my bedroom wall, shocking me awake unexpectedly and repeatedly in a heart-racing and panic-induced sweat throughout the night. It’s been 4 months since I moved here and 4 months since I’ve had a normal peaceful day or a full night’s sleep. It doesn’t matter if the amenities and staff are nice, because at the end of the day, you should be able to rest and sleep peacefully in your own home first and foremost, and being denied even that basic need offsets any other good qualities the place may have. I'm constantly hearing talking from both sides at all times as well. The apartments themselves are pretty small compared to the norm in CLT and all the appliances are old (no digital locks either), and yet they charge the same price as other places and also lock you into a 2 year contract for those prices, rather than the standard 12-15 months that’s typical in the market. I’ve already transferred once within the building when I first moved in because I thought the noise issue was exclusive to the particular unit I was in. Before transferring, the staff warned me that the noise issue may not resolve even after moving units, and in hindsight, I should’ve realized that was them warning me that there’s a noise problem no matter where I move to in the building. Reporting the problem to them only results in them telling you to transfer or gtfo, and last time I spoke to them about it, I was repeatedly gaslit about whether the noise was even bad at all (because apparently I have nothing else to do with my life than imagine the noises I’m hearing and voluntarily choosing to let it affect my sleep/life/health) and made to just feel bad for saying anything. I wish I had video evidence of the noises at night and how disturbing they really are, but even this obviously cannot demonstrate how loud the noise is in person vs hearing it through a recording on a phone, and it’s hard to even capture it when it happens since it’s random throughout the dead of night, during which time I’m more interested in desperately trying to get even a few minutes of sleep before being awoken again. Unless you’re lucky enough to end up with quiet neighbors to your left, right, above, and in front of you (or no neighbors at all), it’s better to live somewhere else that has a shorter/more standard lease term for the same price, and is likely a larger space with better noise insulation/spacing between units. My health has already worn down significantly from the severe sleep deprivation, and I’m unsure if I can soldier through the full 2 year term. While you can typically expect some level of noise with apartment living, the problem here is exceptionally bad, and after talking to some of the other residents it seems they’re in the same boat as me. I wish I’d seen even one review about the noise at the time I was moving in or when I transferred so I could’ve known to completely...

My experience with Link Apartments was disappointing and financially damaging. Over the course of a week and a half, I was repeatedly told by leasing agents that the advertised move-in promotions, including two months of free rent and an employer discount, would be applied to my lease. Despite multiple confirmations, they failed to include any of these discounts in the lease, and only admitted they would not honor them on the day of my scheduled move-in, after I had already loaded a moving truck and prepared to relocate.

I interacted extensively with Justin, Kristine, and Shana, all of whom were friendly in tone but consistently failed to provide an accurate lease. I called and emailed daily for a week, and was sent incorrect lease documents three separate times. On move-in day, I still had no valid lease to sign. I was told on the phone I could sign a corrected lease in person, but while in transit for the move between states, I was informed they would not allow a paper lease with corrected terms to be signed, even if initialed and dated in ink. This bait-and-switch behavior was deceptive and cost me both time and money.

Beyond the incompetence of the leasing team, the lease itself contains highly predatory terms that strongly favor the landlord and expose tenants to unreasonable liability:

*It forces tenants to waive rights under NCGS § 42-10, which normally protects renters from being held responsible for damages they did not cause.

*Tenants are financially liable for pest infestations, including bedbugs, regardless of whether they caused the issue or if it originated from another unit.

*The lease includes broad eviction language that allows the landlord to terminate the lease and remove you for alleged “criminal or improper conduct,” even without a formal charge or conviction.

*The lease prohibits lawful carry of firearms on the property, even by residents licensed under North Carolina law.

*The lease includes no defined early termination clause or lease-break fee, meaning if you have to leave early, you could be on the hook for full rent until the unit is re-rented.

*Most concerning, if your move-in promotion or employer discount is not explicitly written into your lease, you have no recourse. Even if a staff member verbally confirms it or includes it in an offer letter, they are not obligated to honor it unless it’s in the signed lease (The lease explicitly states that any offer or promise given from an employee is not binding except when written in the lease. The leasing office employees have never read their own lease; it's a 55-page template from the NAA). In my case, the team at Link misrepresented this repeatedly to try to get me to sign a lease under false pretenses.

This is a shame, because the building itself is attractive and well-located. But the unethical and unprofessional leasing process, combined with a one-sided lease, makes this community a high-risk choice for tenants. I would urge anyone considering Link Apartments to demand all concessions in writing, carefully review the lease for tenant protections that have been waived, and be prepared for a frustrating and...

I recently had the pleasure of working with Justin, the leasing manager at Link Apartments NoDa 36th, and I must say that despite not ultimately deciding to lease with the property, I was thoroughly impressed by his excellent, friendly, and professional service.

From the moment I stepped into the leasing office, Justin greeted me with a warm smile and a genuine willingness to assist. Despite knowing that I might not end up leasing with the property, he treated me with the utmost respect and attentiveness, making me feel valued as a potential resident.

What truly stood out was Justin's professionalism and expertise in his role. He took the time to understand my needs and preferences, patiently answering all of my questions and providing detailed information about the property and its amenities. His knowledge of the leasing process was impressive, and he guided me through each step with clarity and confidence.

Moreover, Justin's friendly demeanor and positive attitude made the entire experience enjoyable. He was genuinely interested in ensuring that I had all the information I needed to make an informed decision, without any pressure or sales tactics. Despite my decision not to lease with the property, Justin remained gracious and understanding, further demonstrating his commitment to excellent customer service.

While I ultimately chose a different living arrangement, I have nothing but praise for Justin and the level of service he provided. His professionalism, friendliness, and dedication to assisting potential residents reflect positively on Link Apartments NoDa 36th. If anyone is in search of a leasing manager who genuinely cares about their needs and preferences, I highly recommend reaching out to Justin – he truly goes above and beyond to ensure a positive...