Elliston 23 — Local services in Nashville-Davidson

I was really excited about moving into this place, and I'm really disappointed with how everything has turned out, and I cannot wait to leave. Normally, I am pretty easygoing. If trash is a little backed up or things are a bit noisy, I usually deal with it without complaint - that's just life sometimes. In fact, I've never been so disappointed with service that I felt the need to write a negative review... Until now.

To start, whatever management runs the place is terrible. Of course, I can only speak for the ones I have dealt with (some individuals in the leasing office may be very helpful and nice), but certain people in the office have been at best unfriendly and unhelpful, and at worst both rude and condescending. Trash is almost constantly piled up outside of chutes because the chutes are full. Also, the recycling options don't permit recycling glass, styrofoam, or cardboard, which makes it difficult to be friendly to the environment.

Animals use the restroom INSIDE the building, and it takes way too long to get cleaned up. Allegedly there are "security cameras" to correct this problem, but I haven't ever seen any. Many residents do not pick up after their dogs in the "Beautifully Landscaped Courtyards" - you cannot walk anywhere.

On one occasion, I put in 5 maintenance requests - all went unanswered - until I went to the leasing office and complained. The person in the office assured me that the requests just "never came in" and that I must have done something wrong. (I assure you - I did not.. I'd made MANY successful requests before that one). Additionally, my roommate & I set up three meetings with Elliston's management - at their request - and we were stood up three times. On the fourth time, I called downstairs to check after waiting 45 minutes - they showed up 20 minutes later.

Halfway through my stay here, Elliston implemented a permit and booting system. My roommate's car has been booted twice by the booting company they hired. The first time, Elliston did not properly inform us that the permit system had been implemented (allegedly they sent an email that we never received), but the management failed to follow-up with those residents that had not yet come down to the office pick up their permits (even though when I did get my permit, I saw the list where management kept track of what residents had come down to get their permits). They never called nor otherwise contacted those who somehow "missed the memo." They just started booting their own residents rather than (1) calling them, (2) posting notices on our doors that we surely wouldn't miss, or (3) sliding the permits under the door. Moreover, they booted my roommate's car a second time EVEN WITH a permit because her windows were tinted and the company was careless. When she called management to complain, they refused to help, saying "they don't deal with that." There was no apology given for the inconvenience on either occasion.

The rent prices are insane for what you're getting. Prices inexplicably increase every month your first few months of renting, and the management can't really explain why except to say "this is what you agreed to in the lease you signed" in a condescending tone. When we asked, we weren't trying to fight the increase in fees - just wanted to know what they were for. Also, we were double charged for utilities and were sent a menacing letter about legal action even though we had already paid (and they had already cashed the check...)

I don't have a huge problem with the apartments themselves, but the apartment complex is not "luxury" in any sense of the word. Elevators are often out of order, as are machines in the fitness area. There are a lot of undergraduates, which doesn't really bother me, but it can get pretty loud. Walls are fairly thin, so if they happen to be next door - it can be very difficult to sleep. There is VERY little guest parking, 90% of the parking on the first floor is for retail, which can make it difficult to have guests over. Truly, the only really great thing about the place is...

I rarely ever leave bad reviews, but I would like to offer some sincere perspectives as a past resident in order to warn others from choosing to live at Elliston23. Here's why

1. This apartment is advertised as "luxury," but it is truly just a glorified college dorm.

The parking lots and hallways constantly reek of weed. Management said they would look into it, but nothing changed.

My car was broken into. When brought up to management, they curtly said "call the police." There was no compassion or indication that they would do anything to help. In fact, many others had cars also broken into. Windows were smashed.

My package was stolen directly from the mailroom. Management said they would view security footage, but also said "I must understand that they are also dealing with 50+" move ins." They never called me back. This indicates that they care way more about move-ins than the experiences of actual residents. Hence, why the 5 stars are all from move-ins and not from long-term residents.

Loud parties. The day before my MCAT, residents below me were throwing a karaoke party. I couldn't fall asleep. Red solo cups and beer bottles are always left in the elevator.

The fact is, the team doesn't care about making residents happy; their main incentive is to sell apartments for commission. This is a serious problem. Hence, I chose to leave.

2. What really disappointed me is the way they handled move out. In my lease, it clearly states that there will be a final walkthrough and that both landlord and tenant will sign to confirm any charges. This was not upheld. Instead, a notice saying that "due to the size of our property, we do not schedule a final walk through." In fact, TN laws state that tenants have the right to final inspections.

This screwed us over as we were given a $725 cleaning charge even after we had cleaned the apartment. We disputed charges and management sent pictures. While we acknowledge that we missed some minor spots and were willing to pay for kitchen/bathroom cleaning fees (which still did not warrant $150 each), we were confused about living room fees (no pictures were provided) and an odor elimination fee for a "smoke smell" ($250). No roommates have ever smoked before, and we believe this smell was from the weed/cigarette smell from the hallways that wafted in during the days between our move-out and Elliston's inspection. We continued to dispute such charges, stating we have the right to see the apartment. Management refused over the phone.

I planned to respectfully speak with Management in person, and had printed and highlighted sections of my lease and TN tenant laws. However, I was absolutely appalled Kim, the manager's reaction. I had never been spoken to so rudely before. She had no intent to listen. Kim was condescending and inappropriately raised her voice. She questioned my character by calling my emails "nasty" saying I used all caps, which is untrue. I have been nothing but professional yet firm in my emails. She said my apartment was one of the "nastiest she's ever seen," but even my final report said that it was "generally clean." At this point, she was saying all she could to scare and gaslight me.

I firmly believe that Elliston23 seeks to squeeze out every single penny out of you, and Kim embodies this mission.

I ended up paying $725 of cleaning fees for a generally clean apartment not because it was right but because I was tired of speaking reasonably to unreasonable people.

Finally, when I ended up paying, the saleswoman said that there would be a convenience fee of 1.95%. After viewing my receipt, she included it in the base fee. So we ended up paying double that amount. Minor, but goes to show that they are unprofessional and seek to take all the money they can.

I am so glad that that I no longer have to deal with Elliston23. As I sit typing in my new apartment, I couldn't be happier :)

Elliston 23, don't bother commenting "give us a call so we can make things right." We both know that's a façade. If you do, it just means you didn't bother to read...

Edit: All the airbnb’s are banned, which is great, but now there’s constant construction going on. I work night shift and it’s impossible to sleep, it’s impossible to live here even if you’re awake during the day. Mind you they’ve been doing construction for the entire time i’ve been here (almost a whole year).

Absolutely horrible place to live. Live literally anywhere else. They’ve been bought by 3 different companies since i’ve been here (less than a year!) First, they rent out half of their apartments as air bnb’s so the complex and parking garage is full of bachelor/bachelorette parties, families with children, etc. They all park on the first two floors making everyone who actually lives here parking at the very top. They also park in reserved parking spots because it doesn’t matter to them! And because they don’t live here and consequences don’t actually apply to them they can be loud, obnoxious, kids everywhere and use every space as a playground, run around in the halls, bach parties leave trash and decorations everywhere and are loud and drinking constantly.

Second, these apartments may look nice at first glance but it’s really just the landlord special of repainting over things and poor functionality. My shower head isn’t even enclosed there’s just a giant hole in the wall. The shower handle falls off, the toilet paper holder is loose and hangs down but you can’t tighten it because it’s embedded in between two pieces of wood. The “wood” tiles don’t line up and shift around. When I first moved in I had ants and roaches. The gym equipment doesn’t work half the time - the treadmills have at least one of them not working at a time and all of the cable machines get stuck so you can’t even use them. The pool is the only thing worth anything.

They also use ButterflyMX and if you’re not familiar with that it’s just an app that opens all the doors in the building. Now if you don’t have your phone you can’t get in, if your phone dies you can’t get in, if the power is out you can’t get in and if the internet is down you can’t get in! Which has happened on multiple occasions. If only we just had a key fob.

Did I mention it’s an extra $100 for parking at the place you pay 2k a month for in rent?? Speaking of, there’s still broken down cars in the garage and it hasn’t had a gate on it for months! Don’t want to do the valet trash because they don’t come pick up half the time? Too bad, you can’t opt out! Hell i didn’t even get a trash can for the valet service to use anyway.

This is a very niche complaint but don’t expect it to be quiet during the day, they’re constantly doing construction inside the building and outside yard work. They redid the inside hallways and painting everything black with yellow lighting it is the ugliest thing and feels dingy. The carpet was also ripped up and replaced but that was also immediately damaged and had paint on it from it dripping from the ceiling. Pretty amazing. Also, since there’s air bnb’s here there will be 5 cleaning ladies sitting outside on the floor of your apartment waiting to clean the apartment next to you.

If you work nights, don’t even bother.

Overall, the entire place is pretty mediocre for what you’re actually paying for. Okay location - it’s right next to a hotel and a half way house for the homeless. Half the units are air bnb rentals which they won’t tell you when you tour. It’s livable, but really it’s just not worth the money they’re going to charge you and inevitably raise if you choose to stay.

Update: 5/29/24 someone got shot here and there was no “courtesy” officer that answered like they say is onsite for emergencies. Our gate is still just gone and anyone is free to come in, doors are constantly propped open so it’s just a free tour for everyone. Just...