Windwood Oaks — Local services in Lutz

My first lease here was 2017 - 2018. Kye Wade & Joyce Kitchens were the assistant managers. I liked my apartment but there were maintenance issues and a lack of comprehension so I moved out. After a year elsewhere I decided to give it another go. 2020 I moved back in. Liz Cortes was the assistant manager. There were a couple problems like my car being towed when I was told it wouldn’t be but I didn’t have to pay to pick it up so I moved on. There were a couple pesky new neighbors over the first 2 years. One in particular I remember was battling some health issues which caused him to use a walker. He stated he couldn’t afford a down stairs apartment so he took the one up stairs next to me. He was often heard coming up the steps because he had to throw the walker up every couple steps. 2022 new management took over and Liz was no longer an employee. I received notice that they weren’t willing to renew my lease as I’d been late too many times. I understood and asked the new employee Debbie if I could rent month to month as stated in the lease. Debbie advised month to month wouldn’t be possible because the apartment had already been pre-leased. She later suggested I speak with the new property manager to see if he could talk to corporate about the possibility of signing a new lease. After speaking with Tony I was told so many residents had skipped out on the rent during the COVID pandemic that they were just fed up and anyone who hadn’t paid or who paid late a certain amount of times would no longer be allowed to renew. Despite this I was told that I could renew because although late I always paid. At this point rent had already gone from $997 to $1025. Following this discussion rent went to $1364. So, for the same apartment, no remodels and no changes I pay $339 more. So, I began paying month to month while I waited for my new lease which typically came via email. I never received it so 2023 I received a notice to vacate. After speaking with the property manager I was told that he was still willing to provide a new lease but the assistant manager who is now Rogel never got it to me. April 2024 I unfortunately had a payment to reverse so I went and got a money order as soon as I could only to find out that they never received my money orders. I was told by Rogel that I would have to take it up with the institution where I purchased the money orders so I did just that. I’d never dealt with it so I had no idea that it was going to be such a tedious process to have a tracer done. Western Union found that 2/3 of my money orders were cashed by people that I didn’t know. At that point I had to file a police report. After filing the police report I had to provide several copies of documentation and a detective Hughes took the case. By July 26, 2024 Detective Hughes contacted me to inform me that the thief turned out to be a Windwood Oaks Apartments employee. Throughout this time I was being forced out of the apartment. Rogel specifically told me that if he were me he would just move out. After speaking with the property manager about rectifying the situation I was advised Human Resources recommended that the employee (the perpetrator) not be reprimanded until she is convicted of the filed charges. I was also advised that there was no way they could sign a new lease with me and that I’d been month to month for 2 years now. Recently while cleaning the shower the wall caved in for the 2nd time in 2 years. Long story short the community has improved a little and can somewhat be enjoyed but tread lightly and very carefully. Apply at your own risk. Lamar has...

On Oct. 8 I went to tour an apartment, and the next day submitted an application, and also emailed my stubs and ID card. I received a call from Lamar Moore the next day stating the apartment I initially selected would not be ready for 10/22, my desired move in date, and he then offer 2 other options. I selected a second floor.

On 10/15, I received an email asking me for my stubs and copies of IDs, again. I forwarded my previous email and provided an extra document I was asked for. *On 10/15 MY CO-APPLICANT AND I WERE BOTH CHARGED Application AND Administration fee of $117.50. On 10/16 I asked to get an estimate of the application process and was told they were waiting for employment verification. On 10/20 I inquired about the status and was told by Lamar Moore that they were waiting on employment verification still, granted I answer the phones at work and the office is small, so I would have known if they did try to verify my employment, I still checked w HR and my supervisor, my supervisor stated that 5 minutes before my inquiry, Windwood Oaks called to get a fax to send a form for verification, which the HR department sent back within 2 hours of receipt. On 10/21 I was told by Mr. Moore the document had been submitted to whoever's he works with, because I never heard from anyone else.

I must mention all this communication is via email, I have all the emails and call logs that show I was usually emailed or called 10 minutes before closing each time. So on 10/23 I called back to back and left messages until I finally got a call back, I was asked to provide an extra document to avoid a 1st renter's fee, AND Mr. Moore also asked me if he could send a document to the manager of where I live for them to fill out, after I wonder why he would ask me and not do the screening himself, like I was charged for them to do, I of course got the document and we then coordinated on the phone for me to be there at 10 the next day. I called the next day, 10/25, 3 times before my call was answered and I was able to meet Mr. Moore to provide the last document after 11:30. I expressed my concern multiple times, and stated I had to move out by 11/1 and I really needed to know if I should look elsewhere. I was told no, you will not be declined, I am off Monday 10/27, but on Tuesday I will call. I asked him to confirm he would and he did. I ASKED HIM IF I COULD START PACKING AND THIS LIAR SAID YES!!! 10/28, 5 p.m. comes by and no call or email from Mr. Moore or anyone at Windwood Oaks. It is 10/28, and still nothing.

So basically my money was taken, he lied and lied, and I am out of my money. I am now paying else where to process an application, which I was told I would hear back from, no later than 11/1.

If you are going to apply here, be aware that they take your money and may or may not process your application in a timely manner. All they have cause me is unnecessary stress for something they could have been honest about, but let's use the pandemic as an excuse.... My 1st time leasing, with all the...

1200 for 2 bedroom... They play the part of being professional but not so much. Preferred employer incentive overshadowed by their section 8 status and exploitative mentality.

Long lists of repairs, outsources major repairs done by family members or friends of current employees and the extended repair times makes this place BEYOND HOOD ... I am an African-American woman... When I say hood I am NOT referring to other people of color or even the many pale that live on property.. as in tenants, I am referring to employees and property MGMT that believe they are "Tiffany's" when they are "k-mart" at Best simply by their ability and audacity to mistreat paying non-section 8 tenants.

There has been speculation about legality of proper permits and true licensed contractors... But I'm just sippin my teas as the others that brought that possiblity to my attention decided to do. Every weekend there is a moving truck... Many are counting down the seconds til release from their "CONtract"... It is what it is but thank God there are far better and just as affordable apartments and home rentals in the area.

Tip: Do not be from out of town, desperate and not know the area well... drive the complex and always ask as many tenants as you see in parking lot. Drive different times of day. Dont worry the gates are for show... never locked ...in fact quite broken and no intention of repairing. PAY ATTENTION more to the negative reviews...many of the staff live on property so don't expect all the positive reviews to be legit....