Mandalay Villas — Local services in McDonough

It has been less than 24 hours since I moved into my new apartment at Mandalay Villas and sadly the experience has been terrible. I was very excited about this community and what it had to offer. Specifically the safety aspect and amenities. I found the recent renovations to be extremely appealing and credit them for sealing the deal on my decision to move here. Unfortunately my unit was far from what was presented/described during both walkthroughs of the model units (lacking the upgrades previously discussed & in filthy condition). In addition the customer service has been COMPLETELY unwelcoming.

I phoned in today to advise management of the specific reservations I have for my unit and to express my displeasure. Fortunately the regional director (Atoya) was on the premises. I was advised by Nivea, that the regional director was with someone and would return my call in 30 minutes. After 30 minutes had come and gone I called back. This time I spoke with Juanita who advised that the regional directed stated that she could not speak to me as she was busy doing reports! In addition she sent a message through her staff that she would speak with me in person on Thursday or Friday (3-4 days later). Wow, to not return my call or have the professionalism to speak with me directly to arrange a time that works for the both of us in my opinion is far from good customer service. She did not offer so much as an apology for this initial terrible experience. In fact, I am beginning to believe I made a poor decision by electing this community.

I am very disappointed in the unit and the lack of concern by management to address my displeasure. The standard upgrades that were suggested are not in the unit, the bathroom shower grout is moldy & the caulking is worn, there are water spots on the ceiling in one of the bedrooms, tub faucet loose & the oven was filthy to name a few issues. The realization that it has not been a full day since I moved in but have experienced this level of poor service has me extremely concerned. I will be reaching out to the corporate office or management company for this community today. I would strongly recommend that you steer clear of Mandalay Villas if you value good customer service and attention to residential concerns. The fact that the ink has yet to dry on my contract but I’m being brushed aside speaks volumes.

1 April 2018

UPDATE: As an update to this previous review. I spoke with Atoya later the day of the original post. Who apologized for my experience and expressed her willingness to rectify the situation. Within a weeks time maintenance came in to correct some of the issues with the bathroom mold and replaced the disgusting caulking. They painted over the water stains and amended some of the repairs on items that should have been addressed prior to my move in. It was explained that the apartment was a complete reno job and the turn around for it was a weeks time......though no excuse it was hence the reason for the initially poor presentation.

For my disappointment Atoya offered to upgrade my apartment fixtures and appliance package to those I had expected based on the apartment tours and information provided by the leasing agents. I appreciated her willingness to do what I felt like was the right thing to turn things around to begin to move this resident relationship in a positive direction.

This past Friday 29 March 2018 marked the last item to be addressed, the updated bathroom faucet.

Since I have had interaction with Dana (management) and Mr. Felix (maintenance supervisor) and the interactions have been positive, professional, helpful and most importantly personable. Thank you and I look forward to continued positive interactions and...

(Will update as things progress): I am in my second year as a tenant here and I have been complaining to the new management company (that has purchased the property September 30, 2022; Laramar Communities) of my black mold and issues since they have been here. Since the new management has come on board, I have been contacting the property manager, April and she decides what issues she wants to address as she feels in email with black mold being completely ignored. When I asked for her supervisors information, yes she sent it, however has then choose and has verbally admitted to stop answering her emails about my black mold & water stain problems.

Today (11.14.2022) I walked in and spoke to her colleague (who by the way has been a great resource and incredibly helpful; I will get the proper spelling of her name and update) while April stood there and listened. While I explained to the woman that I have not heard from the Regional Manager to date and that April had provided me the wrong number, April chose to speak up and say "no i didn't, he left you a voicemail". I replied "oh, hello to you too April" as she sinisterly grinned and continued to look at her phone I asked why my emails haven't been responded too, she stated "The moment you asked for my managers information there's no need for me to communicate with you". I continued on with the assistance of the polite and professional young lady that had then discovered the voicemail of their regional manager. On my way out I gracefully told April to enjoy the remainder of her day. As a tenant with two minor (2 and 3 year old toddlers) kids that have been inhaling black mold for at least the last 4 months regardless of the management switch paying nearly $2,500 a month with newly developed breathing problems April takes my living status as a joke and shouldn't be in any form of a manager. Her unprofessional ways have led to this very negative yet factual review. I look forward to speaking to her regional manager and updating you all about the conclusion of how my situation was handled. Everyone outside of April has been a true pleasure and concerned with my toddlers and my health all the way down to the lead maintenance man TJ! I have truly enjoyed living here up until the new management company has come along in September. As a African American manager, I would have expected more professional and urgency out of April, but unfortunately my families health comes first and her negligence, unprofessionalism, lack of response, bad attitude and poor management skills don't override whats right. Thank you to the rest of the Laramar community team for being a great resource and hearing what the people that actually live here have to say. One bad apple can create a bad batch! At this moment I do not recommend moving here as there are some obvious pipe issues and upper management needs to highly consider who they have as a face of their brand. :D

Take a look at the photos of my garage, master bathroom and master bedroom! Yes these were all sent to April as she looked me in my face the first week and told me there was nothing she can do about it due to them PAINTING over the mold (yes painting over the mold, as it is/has now resurfaced and she doesn't feel the need to respond to emails). I still pay full price by the way for my unit while I wheeze everyday and pay for my kids to be with a nanny so they don't have to subject their lungs to the living conditions. Look forward...

I have heard and experienced really bad behavior from the leasing department but what will you do if they misbehave when you are just inquiring about apartment availability? I visited this place 2 times and wanted to share my nightmare. First I went to look for a 2 bedroom apartment downstairs, they asked my name and number and entered into their computer. they were good and a lady came with us to take a tour. when I entered into the apartment it as looking good but when I entered into the bathroom, there was a cockroach in the bathtub and it was live (I could see its legs moving) I asked the lady "IS THAT A COCKROACH??" She laughed and said "ITS DEAD" Hello!! that means there are cockroaches in the apartment and I left. I spoke to my roommate and we decided to visit the place again and look for an apartment upstairs. I thought of calling them before I go to their place. They picked up and asked for my name and number. When they found that I have already visited the place, they said "THIS IS THE ANSWERING MACHINE AND THERE IS NO ONE AVAILABLE TO SHOW THE APARTMENTS". i called again after 1hr and somebody picked up, I asked if some one is available to show the apartment. They said yes and asked me what I am looking for. I told them and they asked for my name and number. I told them. They said ""THIS IS THE ANSWERING MACHINE AND THERE IS NO ONE AVAILABLE TO SHOW THE APARTMENTS!!!" Well, people can easily identify if its a machine or human. Then my roommate insisted to visit the place and look for the apartment. We went there, there was a lady, she immediately asked me "HAVE YOU BEEN HERE BEFORE???" i said yes. She didnt even ask us to take the seat or didnt even smile at us. She said there is no apartment available. I said anything for next month?? she said there is an apartment available for next month but nobody is available to show the apartment. She asked us to wait outside. I said ok and we were stood their for long time, then another lady came and said "WE ARE ALL BUSY ASSISTING OTHER CUSTOMERS SO CAN YOU TAKE THE KEYS AND SEE THE APARTMENT YOURSELF". i was so disappointed with their attitude and realized if they are behaving so bad even before we have signed the lease then imagine the stay here. and we left the place. All I wanted to say is, not to get impressed by their smile and attribute at your first visit, they are fake. And a message to leasing department, you need to grow up, people are paying you whatever rent you are offering and staying for years, people has right to look at the apartment as many times they want. after all they are the one going spend 24hrs a day!!!! GROW UP or flush you business... I am giving one start because there is no "NO STAR" choice here..Otherwise I would have given...