A (pretty) good review of The Georgian

Almost all of the resident reviews of the Georgian posted on ApartmentRatings.com in the past couple of years have been astoundingly negative. This one is not. It's a reasonable take on the situation. What do you think?

"Not bad"
From: -Anonymous-
Date posted: 3/10/2010
Years at this apartment: 2010 - 2010

I've read the recent reviews and think they all have valid points, but my experience hasn't been bad. I like my apartment, which was larger and cheaper (it's not renovated) than any of the other options in the area that allowed dogs. I renewed my lease and negotiated about a 7 percent increase instead of the ridiculous price they originally quoted. I'm still paying about $300 less than other places with a pool, decent fitness center and indoor parking options.

You can't beat the location. It takes me less than five minutes to get to the beltway, and it's a short walk to the metro. Not to mention a few minutes walk to downtown.

I honestly haven't found one bug or any rodents in my apartment, and I have a pet that would have alerted me if there was anything. Although, they haven't sprayed since last year, and it might become an issue soon.

Some of the drawbacks of living here include hearing my neighbors, especially when they're talking in the hallway -- it is annoying. I also have smelled smoke along with food and other stuff in the hallways, but not in my apartment. Other than the fitness center and the pool, the amenities are pretty lacking. The computer room is always in disrepair. When I had to use the wireless in the lounge area, it was either not running or was way too slow to do anything other than check my email.

If you have a dog, you will most likely have to deal with the poop in the dog-walking areas -- disgusting. This seems to have improved with the new management, but I'm not sure how long that will last.

I also think a lot of the frustration is that the Georgian has run a pretty cheesy marketing campaign promising more than it delivers and has a couple people in the office who seem disingenuous. Overall I don't think the property lives up to its marketing, but that still doesn't make it a terrible place.

I need a replacement...

Hi loyal readers! I'm looking for a blogger or two who would like to continue to run the blog. Just send an email to tips@georgianconfidential.com if you're interested.

We're looking for some one with some decent blogging skills and an objective perspective . If you think this is something you can handle, send us an email with what you'd like your new georgianconfidential.com email address to read. I'll reply with a username and password you'll use to log in.

I'll retain administrative rights along with OriginalGC in the event that things get out of hand only because I've read a few comments about how the blog has evolved into something it wasn't intended to be... I'm hoping our new blogger will have the ability to turn us back in the right direction, which is providing an invaluable service to our community.


thanks as always.

-Samurai

Farewell to the Georgian

So it's coming up on my final weeks in the Georgian and as much as I've thought this place was a mess, I'm going to miss you, my readers and fellow neighbors. The blog will continue as it's run by several other residents, and until the Georgian has permanent management and a working and functional web portal, I can assure you, there's still a need for it.

Speaking of web presence, where's the Georgian's website? http://www.georgianapts.com is down. I think it's safe to say that those who sign leases these during this transition have not done the due diligence (other than the Craigslist spam) to research the building, it's management, and what the residents have to say about the property.

Your neighbor the attorney speaks

Here is an email we received on the GC Tipline:

"As an attorney, I encourage tenants to file complaints with the Montgomery County Landlord and Tenant office — the first step in the complaint process. I am surprised that whenever I speak with the office, I am told no other tenant has filed a complaint.

"ANOTHER ISSUE: Did tenants know Georgian Towers never received approval of the utility billing system prior to it assessing new utility fees?

"After approval, 60 days advanced notice is required before assessment can begin, i.e November 2009!! People complain, but do not take action. As a result, tenants were paying utility bills before required by LAW!

"Also, tenants have a right to certain utility information. They are supposed to be informed of how their utility bills are calculated.

"I received my first bill and could not believe that it is BLANK — no formulas. It's no different than someone asking me to give them a blank check. Also, remember that not paying utility bills constitutes a breach of the lease. If you are protesting the fees, write a separate check from the rent payment."

The OG wonders whether the utility payments we made in September and October and November of 2009 were even legal. If they were not, then these folks owe all of us a LOT of money.

It may be worth your time to make a phone call. I know I will.

Wifi problem being resolved

For those of you who may have noticed the protest flyers taped up in the stairwells complaining of the shutdown of the WiFi service . . . Amy Foley, one of the managers with Greystar, says they are working to restore it.

The Greystar Transition

There has been some great discussion and information exchange on the blog lately and I want to just sum that up. Also, I have been in contact with Amy Foley of Greystar management and she offered a few bits of information to pass along. Her email address is: Afoley@greystar.com

Benefit of the doubt
Some of you have been urging fellow residents to be patient and give these people a chance to get a grip on the situation. As one resident put it concisely,

"Its a big property folks let these people try and get it back on track. GreyStar has done nothing wrong, they were appointed by the bank so let them get a handle on the mess Stellar left behind."

The inspections Tuesday
The planned apartment inspections on Tuesday are a part of getting a grip on things. Foley explains:

"With respect to the inspection, we are mainly verifying information we have regarding renovations. It’s critical that we know exactly what’s renovated and what level and stage in order to pay any invoices relating to renovations. We will only need a couple of minutes to do this since all it takes is a quick look."

The constructive thing to do is give them a chance, but also communicate your concerns, either here or directly to the management. Right now, animosity toward Greystar may be premature.

Security
There have been a number of break-ins and thefts since at least January 5. The crime reports available online are not specific as to the circumstances. I have seen no indications that violence was involved, but I can't confirm that.

For example, a resident reported that a TV was stolen from the game room. Here is an anonymous comment from the blog. I cannot verify any of this information, but here it is:

"Greystar acting as management until the building is sold is very interesting. While under the management of Greystar, and under the watchful eyes of the newly contracted security firm. A large flat screen television was stolen from the game room. In addition to that, several televisions were also stolen from the model apartments and one resident had a sofa stolen from right outside her door (has any of these items been recovered?). It also came out that homeless people had set up camp in the Georgian's game room during the holiday season and not being discovered or approached until well after the 1st of the year."

Foley told me she will research the incidents, but did not mention any specific actions Greystar plans to take yet.

Deposit checks
A former resident reported to the tip line that after leaving recently, she received her deposit back and the check bounced. I mentioned this to Foley but she did not comment. If anyone out there is leaving on January 31, maybe you better get assurances from Greystar about this.

Our fearless former leader
By now Larry Gluck has probably crawled back under the rock he came from. But make sure to read this article if you want to understand what happened at The Georgian.

http://motherjones.com/politics/2009/07/mortgage-default-landlord-edition

"Just Up The Pike" Features Georgian Drama

Here is a really slick and well-written article by brother blog "Just Up The Pike," sourcing Georgian Confidential. Read it, comment, and follow this excellent blog about life in our town.

Next floor -- HELL!

The OG sincerely hopes management cures this potentially disastrous elevator safety issue soon. Thanks to a new resident for sharing his ordeal.

"Yesterday was my move in day. I got stuck in the elevator for an hour, from 3:30 to 4:30. The call box in the elevator did not work, so I called the front desk with my cell phone. They swore to me that maintenance was on their way to fix it.

"However, maintenance could not find the key. Instead, the fire department showed up and they had to pry open the doors on the floor above us and the doors on the floor we were on. Shouldn't they have known where the key was? Isn't that illegal? And dangerous?

"Also, the 6 foot clearance sign for the loading dock is down. I drove a 6 foot 2 Uhaul van into the garage (because my leasing agent said I could) and scratched up the top of the van. It got caught under the first low hanging cement beam."

Poopy Plea for sanity-tation

Here is an eloquent plea for civility and neighborliness. This is saying that before the recently departed management team that shall remain unnamed came here, there were no pooping or pissing-in-the-elevator dogs allowed on these premises.

But that changed. And a minority of dog owners reciprocated by literally shitting all over their neighbors.

C'mon folks. Bag the poop. Respect your forebears and neigh-bears. The dog-friendly policy was thrust upon the longtime residents, as the poopy lincoln logs from your dog's b-hole are thrust upon the grounds. Just bag it and dispose. We would appreciate this.

"Dear pet owner,

"You must understand that many of us my self included moved into the Georgian before it was a pet friendly building therefore we have been forced to live with pets in the building. I would have never moved here if it was a pet friendly building just like many adults prefer buildings that do not allow children or pets.

"Everyone that lives here is not a a 20 something yuppie so please understand the pet thing was forced on us without any notice at all! out of the blue we became a pet friendly building over night without any notice to the older tenants.

"Should we move? no, should we have been given notice well in advance so that we could plan accordingly, yes."

The check is in the mail

OG inquired, Travis Fones replied. He says they have received the January rent checks and they will be cashed forthwith. Thanks for the speedy reply to our inquiry, Travis:

"The rent checks have been mailed to the bank and should be cashed in the next few days. Once we have confirmation that this has been completed, we will notify the residents. -- Thank you, Travis Fones"

Travis Fones is the property manager of the Georgian. We are somewhat confused as to why he is still here, as there was a perception that he was "Stellar," but appears to be just another fellar staffing the office. Stay tuned.

You know, guys, not for nothin' but shouldn't YOU be telling the people here what the hell is going on instead of us?

-- The OG