Bridge at Steiner Ranch Apartments — Local services in Lakeway

TL/DR: New management has ruined this place. Below is my answer to the property manager asking me why I wasn't renewing my lease after four years here. Their response was that they were absolutely still going to charge me for 20 additional days after my lease end date, but would do so at the agreed rate in my contract. They then proceeded to charge me an even higher rate I never agreed to. The management at the time of my original review cared about their tenants, and it showed. We're all just dollar signs to these new guys, and it shows...

Your 12 month renewal offer for an 1100 sqft apartment is only $100 less than the 24 month rate on the 2000 sqft house I just leased in Steiner.

I've been an excellent tenant for 4 years and just gave 40 days notice, which (a) honors the full duration of my lease agreement, (b) is more than enough time to relet the apt - or would be if your rates were reasonable, and (c) is the most I could reasonably give since no landlord is holding properties vacant for 60 days in Austin, and yet you intend to charge me a 40% increased rate for 20 days after the agreed lease end date.

The aggressive TAA contract you use and Texas' lack of tenant protection laws may leave me without recourse, but this is nothing less than predatory behavior, and consistent with my experience here since the change in management. I have no interest in continuing to do business with you, and the fact that there are 36 vacant apartments here while the Austin market continues to boom tells me I'm not alone.

*They're now at 40+ empty units, but their shiny new "Increased revenue" award is what matters, right?

Original review:

Between the nightmare reviews on every apt complex in Austin and the fact that I've had houses for the last 20 years, let's just say I was very reluctant going into this lease. But my family shrank this year and anything bigger seems like overkill. This property was easily the nicest in the Lake Travis area, so I gave it a shot. So glad I did...

The leasing process was quick and painless, and everyone was very polite and helpful. The gym has everything you could want and is always spotless. There are great views from practically the entire property, especially the pool/grill deck, which is also perpetually clean. Yeah, the gate's always open but I like it that way. It's Steiner Ranch, what's going to happen?

The apartments themselves are the best part, or at least mine is. More than enough room for peaceful cohabitation with a teenager, and the 12' ceilings and huge windows make it feel even bigger than it is. Appliances are nice and new, carpet feels good, wood floors are easy to clean, little to no outside noise, nice big patio, and a tub my 6'2" 240lb butt can actually fit in.

The bills are very reasonable for what you get, and when it's time to pay you just open an app and press a button. If something breaks, another button notifes the best maintenance team I've ever encountered, and if it HAS to get fixed tonight, it will...

Bell Steiner and staff have far exceeded my expectations in every regard, and if I haven't found my dream house by then, I'll definitely be...

I doubt management will even acknowledge this review, due to their horrible track record with the current residents. This review is mainly for people who are looking for a good apartment in a good area to stay in. Please, do not waste your time with this place. I have lived here for 13 months, and I am very concerned about my family's safety in this community since the front gates have not worked for the last year, and neither the locks to the clubhouse. The pool is down for most of the year in repairs, and when it works it is very dirty. There are homeless people who come in this community and use some of our amenities like the showers and the grill. Management here is completely unresponsive when you bring up issues and the Property Manager Nicole Phelps is completely useless and extremely rude. She ignores most resident's emails and calls. I have the corporate office's phone number and plan on calling them to resolve some of the issues mentioned above.

I mentioned to the Assistant Manager Emily that I will be leaving this apartment soon since my lease is ending. She mentioned that I will be responsible for paying a mandatory cleaning fee which is discussed in the lease that I signed. I asked the Assistant Manager where is this clause mentioned in our agreement? She forwarded my email to Nicole the Property Manager and after several emails, Nicole stated that there is no mandatory cleaning fee. I told her that I was very upset by the false and misleading information presented to me and would like to speak to someone on the phone regarding this matter. She stated that there was a misunderstanding by email, and refused to speak to me. This seems like a very money hungry community to me.

There is a reason why they have a 2-star rating on YELP. If I could give this place negative...

LEASE OFFICE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED! My wife, my infant son, and I visited this property in the afternoon of June 9th and found the office closed at just before 3pm. Who knows how long is was closed. The notice on the glass said, "will be back" with a 3:30pm clock image. We waited til 4pm before getting frustrated (I took a photo of the notice) and went back to our vehicle. We were about to leave before I read some reviews in the car about bad management. I then thought I would peek inside the windows at the side of the lease office to see if someone was inside hiding. I could not see anyone. My wife, who was still in the car, noticed that individuals were exiting another vehicle that had been parked the entire time in the lot maybe 20 yards away. Two ladies came out and one asked me what I was doing. I said I was looking to see if anyone was hiding inside... it turns out they were hiding in their cars watching us wait at the door for them the entire time. This was now just past 4pm. They are intentionally avoiding people. It was only when I started to investigate and take photos did they decide to leave the car and go back to the office. They quickly removed the notice from the glass but I had already taken a photo. They said it did not say will be back 3:30pm. But the photos says otherwise. Steiner ranch can do much better than this. Many people would love to have this job. We were ready to sign for a 3/2 but quickly decided to leave when the leasing lady took no responsibility for what had just transpired! BAD OMEN! STAY AWAY from this place as long as management stays the same. Maybe teach them how to tell time and maybe to leave the property if they want to hang out in their cars during...