Bridgewood Estates; Hayloft Property Management Co, Inc. Manipulated out of money, denied proper maintenance and a peaceful environment. Rapid City SD
By March 2021 I applied for a 1-bedroom apt, and after application was approved, it was unavailable. I got cohersed into a 2-BD at a higher price. $835/mnth. I moved in April 1. I was promised before and after move-in that an entryway security lock/keypad to my building was there / was going to be installed in a week, in a month, but never was!
Hot water pipes made loud pinging noise when used. I reported that, and a moldy-musty smell that mgt. would not remedy. I had to deoderize on a daily basis. AC was filthy and gummed up. One month in, I cleaned it and gave photos to mgt. It was only replaced later when a control knob broke off. It was quite old.
I also reported daily occuring "loud" footfalls of my neighbors above. Mgt. called them twice, but did not deter the noise. I mentioned the noise and stink several more times in person in the office.
The manager, Karina Johnson always dismissed me. Unprofessional in manner and dress (shredded jeans, large bossom half exposed 'often' - slutty).
Due to both the upsetting experience there, and a job loss, I made arrangements (with lack of cooperation from mgt) and signed a paper to break lease early. I moved out the end of June.
The penalty was outrageous! They demand a 2 month notice, my paying for those months ($1670), and a fine of another $835+$250! On the form I signed I chose to vacate early, with the apt. still in my name for the 2 mnths, unless a new renter was found to take it over, refunding me the remaining credit.
To mgt, I insisted on utilities being taken back by them - refused.
I said that if utilities are to remain my responsibility, that the AC was to be left off and water unused (I cleaned the place professionally myself, verified in document by the 'late' move-out inspection). I paid all utilities except trash disposal.
*** Checking my electric bill recently with Black Hills Energy, I found that it had gone way up! 150% And it's only mid-month. Very likely from AC use. I used far less power the first month I lived there. Again, I denied them use of MY utilities before hand. The apt. should be vacant and unused! They only have permission to show/rent it.
I've been in Colorado since July 1, 2021.
Their online early move-out form wasn't working, so I filled out a paper version, and didn't receive a copy.
Note reference: I legally changed my name last Nov. to Sage Crystalman.
I have an audio recording of a call / complaint to Hayloft (upper mgt.) that I can't download here.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Sage
Rapid City,South Dakota,
United States
air conditioner
#6Author of original report
Tue, September 21, 2021
I thought I lost these photos, but didn't!
Sage
Rapid City,South Dakota,
United States
Illegal cleaning charges
#6Author of original report
Fri, August 20, 2021
I'm adding a doc. by Bridgewood showing their approval of how clean I left the apartment, and the bill they later sent charging me with extra, unnecessary cleaning! Where's the housing authorities in this matter?!
Sage
Rapid City,South Dakota,
United States
adding references
#6Author of original report
Fri, August 06, 2021
adding references
Sage
Rapid City,South Dakota,
United States
Apartment Management Retaliation
#6Author of original report
Fri, August 06, 2021
I Need Lawyer! I've been employed before as a professional apartment cleaner, and I used that skill set to clean that apartment. Then I video-recorded the results. 2 weeks later Bridgewood mgt. sent to me the checkout inspection results. Everything was approved! 2 days ago I received an outrageous cleaning bill from them for $276. They are claiming to subtract that from my $400 security deposit, to now equal [in horrible math] -$124!
They claim 'I owe them' $124!!! THEN they are charging me $835 for Aug. rent even though the Hayloft area supervisor [real title?] assured me over the phone last week that a new tenant is moving in Aug. 4. She also said that the only deduction to expect from my sec. dep. would be 3 days of rent - Aug. 1-3. Also, as I mentioned in a previous update, Nobody should have been living in that apartment while in my name, and vacated by me, officially with Bridgewood, yet my July electric bill was more than double that it was when I was living there in June! - 305 kwh When I moved out June 30, I made a verbal demand to Karina J, that she agreed to, that utility usage by her staff would be for inspection of the apt, as well as carpet cleaning. Is there nobody out there to offer legal guidance?! pictures to be added after PC trouble fixed
Sage
Rapid City,South Dakota,
United States
Retaliation vs. Renter
#6Author of original report
Mon, July 26, 2021
I just learned that not only has my apartment not been rented by prop. mgt. [that I vacated with respect to renter's contract], but it is not listed/advertised as available! The only 2 rooms that 'are' being advertised are not the floor plan that mine has. They are obligated to rent my last apartment, [and have other people waiting in line for it], and credit me for any of the remaining 2 months [Jul & Aug] when a new renter takes over! Karina J [on sight mgr.] has manipulated the situation as a retaliatory act for my filing other complaints against her.
That apt. in my name [2-207] is vacated and available. I turned in the keys the end of June. I left the place clean. I documented it. It's costing me an extra $835/month + electricity! * I don't want the hassle, but could sue Hayloft; Bridgewood Estates for fraud, unauthorized use of my electricity, retaliation and for that place having been unlivable due to stink, and noise from a neighbor.
I've spoken with Kathleen, the area/site supervisor [Karina's boss], with no resolution. I'm searching for the owner's name now.