The Harper at Harmon Meadow Apartments — Local services in Secaucus

This was a beautiful apartment complex but ruined by an incompetent and unprofessional staff. I paid well in advance each month for my 14 month lease duration yet upon moving out, my refund was returned beyond the legal time frame for New Jersey renters. The refund check then bounced and I incurred a $12 fee. I was locked out of my apartment with my dog several mornings before work because the electronic keys were deprogrammed. I had to leave work early several times to get my key reprogrammed before the office closed. I did not live in my apartment the last 5 months of my lease duration and it took 4.5 months of my continually requesting that my pet and parking costs be removed from my monthly charges as I had moved to another state. Upon moving out, the service elevator was not reserved as I had requested weeks in advance and thus my moving company was delayed in moving me out. I was locked in the garage on a Friday after the office closed because a key I had JUST had reprogrammed for the third time was not programmed correctly and I could not get out of the garage for over 45 minutes until someone else let me out. Then on Sunday, when I returned, I could not get into the garage and park in the spot I paid for monthly because the key was not able to be programmed until Monday morning (also had to leave for work late until the office opened and I could get my key reprogrammed). I never used the pool because it was filled each time I tried to use it. I was sprayed by a skunk twice (once in the parking garage and once in the parking lot) and was told by office staff that they could do nothing to remove the skunks because they are protected by the meadowland adjacent to the premises. (Really?) Several dog owners do not pick up after their dogs. There were no checks to ensure that dogs were not aggressive and on several occasions I was met by highly aggressive and very large dogs (I have a non-aggressive pit mix) getting in/off the elevator. In fact, over the main entrance to my building, three aggressive pitbulls barked incessantly and jumped on the windows when my dog walked by and their owner allowed them dangerously close to my dog on several occasions. Several other dogs were not dog friendly and made using the elevator very difficult. I used the steps to go up and down from the 6th floor which was quite unenjoyable with an 85 lb. dog who has had two ACL surgeries. My apartment overlooked the skyline when I moved in but trees in the adjacent property block the view the majority of the year so paying extra for a view was mostly a waste. Overall, the apartment is pretty and the appliances are nice but that is outweighed by the constant annoyances of the premises and rude office staff. I will say that issues within my apartment were rectified in a timely manner (fixing lights, garbage disposal, & washing machine). The apartment is also well-insulated for A/C and heating purposes and it was very quiet as well. Most of the residents were friendly and kind on the elevators. If the leasing office had its issues resolved with staffing the physical premises would be a dream to live on. Otherwise, I would...

Living at the Harper hasn’t been a pleasant experience for me at all , I was not shown the exact unit I was moving into because it was occupied, when I moved in there was a ton of issues , disgusting odor coming from refrigerator, very old stove , damages to counter tops , sewage smell coming up from laundry room closet and the biggest problem of all Ants infestation. I just moved from a different building under Greystar management and was in disbelief. Although I wasn’t the first tenant in the unit it still was very shocking that management would deemed this unit ok to move in especially since this is suppose to be luxury living. I shared my issues with management and they were very hesitant to make changes that would make me feel comfortable, they had a major issue with replacing the refrigerator sent someone up to clean it numerous times , the smell wouldn’t disappear and I had to make a very big deal to get a replacement. They felt the stove was in perfect condition. The manager Carlene P felt as if the ant issue was made up she told me that was unheard of and unbelievable being that I lived on the top floor. Management did send over a exterminator but that did not help the issue. I had to keep complaining to management and was told by the manager Carlene P that I can basically pay to have the exterminator make another visit after the first attempts did not solve the issue. I had to make a very big deal with her on a phone call and finally her tune changed and she had the exterminator visit. I had to send multiple pictures and even put a ant that was caught on a trap in a ziploc and drop it off to management for them to believe the ant infestation issue. After numerous visits I was able to determine the ants were coming up from a drain took a picture sent it to maintenance and on one occasion someone from the maintenance team was able to witness with his own eyes a ant coming up from the drain in my apartment and noted that as well. Exterminator made another visit and the ants vanished. I believe Carlene P has had it out for me since I did not stay shut , she obviously thought I should not complain and live under those terrible conditions. They have even lied to their attorney and said no ants were ever seen which I will attach photo proof , maintenance comments and email proof of the lies. I have a long list of issues I’ve had with management specifically Carlene P and other tenants can attest to unfair treatment they received from her as well. My next major issue is in regards to the packaging system which I see someone touched briefly on that I’m their review , but google only allows but so much to be typed so I can’t even begin to break down in detail what...

My fiancé and I have lived here for about two years and honestly before the pandemic when we had moved I would have given this place 5 stars— wonderful and clean amenities, kind staff and attendants, and convenient location to commute to NYC (just a few stops on the nearby bus stop for NJTransit and you’re in Port Authority).

Now since the pandemic, things have changed and not for the better. For one, they still made us pay the expensive amenity fee in the middle of the pandemic when we couldn’t use anything as everything was closed. Furthermore, and more importantly, it seems like when they had lowered their rates during the pandemic, they had let in some unsavory people that just looooooove to smoke cigarettes and weed nearly everyday inside their apartments. One of which we have the unpleasant luck of living in the vicinity of. Our hallway, and even our own unit, reeks of the smell since it diffuses so easily through the cracks and vent system. This is 100% not appropriate for the “family friendly” community that it claims to be. It is a health hazard for those that don’t smoke and may have underlying health conditions; and is HUGE annoyance and literal HEADACHE to experience this constantly while working from home (if you even want to still call this place home).

We have complained to the management multiple times regarding this issue and nothing has been done despite their policy of it being a “smoke-free” community. The real kicker and irony is that at one point they even unwarrantedly blamed us/our unit for the issue... when we weren’t even there and were away trying to escape the smell at our families homes for the holiday weekend.

My recommendation for anyone that would like to move here as a young couple or family of children that do not smoke is to perhaps weigh out other options or just pray/request that you don’t move into a unit next to a chain smoker. My recommendation for the management is to seriously do better at upholding your “smoke-free” policy...