Complaint Review: Equity Lifestyles Inc. Sedona Shadows

I have always found Darla to be professional, courteous and responsive to questions and/or issues.  Yes, the space rents are higher here than most other parks, but that's not Darla's fault.  Equity Lifestyle Properties (the Landlord) sets the rent.  We are located in a desirable location, and many homes here have Red Rock Views which accounts for the higher rent.  We are also nestled in between Red Rock State Park and Coconino National Forest in a peaceful secluded area with abundant wildlife and friendly community. Those people who posted those nasty and slanderous remarks no longer live here and it was easier to blame Darla for their issues rather than get educated about the Rules and Regulations and policy.  I've lived here for 5 years and have no complaints about Darla.  I don't always agree with Equity Lifestyle's corporate decisions,  but do understand that Darla works for them and has to manage according to their policy.  If someone doesn't agree - then MOVE!!  

"Any one else who reads this and would like to add their complaint or a story of abuse by either this company Eqity Life Styles, Inc. and or the Manager Darla Barrett Please continue to write on this site and report the abuse. There comes a time we all must stand up and fight for this who  cannot fight for themselves. There are Bullies and evil doers in this world , people esp womenwho love wearing power like a cheap perfume, women who perhaps are a bit unhappy, feeling a need to control."

Well I live at Sedona Shadows - know the manager Darla - I've always experienced the exact opposite to what you wrote in your rip-off complaint - I believe you are jealous of her beauty, her 'power' and of her success. Please read the following:

I was really sorry to read the above-written information regarding Darla 'manager of Sedona Shadows' and felt I needed to share my experiences with Darla - perhaps shed some Light-

I have driven Darla utterly crazy before/during/and after buying a home at Sedona Shadows. Yet Darla still treats me with respect, always greeting me in a genuine manner. She has helped me numerous times, when asked - provided advice, and responds quickly & professionally to every email or call I've made to her.  I wrote a check for a down payment. Darla contacted me - told me my check bounced and she requested I bring in a bank check. After researching I informed her my former landlord's canceled service on automated payments automatically renewed itself for ONE LAST PAYMENT!!! How convenient for my former landlord to make that mistake. Darla told me she understood 's_it happens' she stated she did me a favor by excepting a check - which she doesn't do because unexpected issues can arise so to be on the safe side she only excepts bank checks. #1.That was very nice of Darla! I'm physically disabled so she saved me from having to go to the bank & back to her office - allowing me to flip open my checkbook instead. #2.She is sensitive to others needs. There was no judgment or snide remarks - or jokes at my expense made in fact she acted in the same open & friendly manner and when it comes to working Darla exudes a polished professional behavior that of a person who knows exactly what needs to be done in the situation.

#3. Homes are for sale all over Sedona but because the homes were not built in a secluded park area like Sedona Shadows it is not as noticeable. If I had the money I'd buy another home here! My mother loves Sedona Shadows so much that she is going to buy a summer home here. I've traveled around the world and I understand people and read people very well so suffice to say I respect Darla and like her very much. Darla is the type of person that is honest in every situation sometimes at the expense of another's feelings - although she'd probably say it in the nicest possible manner - she's not going to lie for anybody even if it cost her a sale. That's my take on her and is based on what I've seen. I didn't write this for Darla - she didn't ask me to write this I just stumbled across it researching the Sedona water department. 

Oh yeah, Darla provided a nutritious homemade lunch for me too LOL she was trying to turn me onto healthier easy to make meals due to my severe weight loss after surgery before I moved here... Quite frankly she awesome! 

Darla has been messing with my parents' attempt to sell their home for almost 9 months now. She sends people to other homes to view and recommends they do not purchase their home. She was never available at any time to show their home when she was listing agent. She denies applications for people who are qualified and others who are within a couple years of the 55 year old age limit even though they are allowed to have a percentage of different age. On several websites they have Sedona Shadows and how many homes are for sale in the community, my parents home is not shown or counted. This woman is a nightmare and has my parents (others too) terrified of her and walking away or moving their home when they cannot afford to live there (they have increased rates about $40 a year the past 11 years). My parents are not well enough, financially or mentally, to take care of themselves anymore and I feel Darla is abusing/preying on them in her treatment. This is the reason for their attempted sale of their home so they can move in with us.

Darla tells people (even has it in writing) they cannot move their manufactured home out of there and also tells people if they walk away from their home even if they sign it over they have to pay her $5,000. Neither of these are legitimate per the Mobile Home Parks Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

I was an interested consumer in Sedona Shadows.  I couldn't help but notice how many homes are for sale in the park.  I wanted to know why, and I now have the answer.  I am currently living in an apt complex for seniors, and we have the same type of manager; they could be twins.  As we age, our homes become our refuge and retreat.  I can see how the residents here have been desperate enough to abandon their homes, and or sell them at very low prices, just to escape a tyrannical overseer.  How is it that these women get a little taste of power and become tyrants?  In the apt. complex where I live,  she has her favorites. Rules and regulations apply to those that are not in her favor.  If you are her pet, and a snitch, she overlooks infractions. I call her the "Prison Warden". Isn't it interesting that supposedly enlightened and spirtual communities, such as Sedona and where I live, still have these monsters amongst us?

This rebuttal was also used for Darla Barrett's other complaint and it is just not true.  She wrote it herself.  Her reputation is that of a lying, secretative bully.  Ask anyone there.  We all know it and we have to live with it.  Living in Sedona Shadows has been awful with her at the helm.  She is mean and loves the fact that the residents fear her.  

It is my personal opinion that whoever posted this has made a mistake or has had something go terribly wrong in their life and is looking for someone to blame so as to not have to take personal responsibility.

Regardless of if one does not like the company, Equity LifeStyle Properties, the manager, Ms. Barrett is the polar opposite of how she has been portrayed.  I have lived at Sedona Shadows through several different managers and she is the best, hands down.  I am not the only resident who believes this.  She is kind, compassionate and generous, often cooking for ill residents and their families, paying utility bills for others, buying groceries for some, and the list goes on.  She is not stealing homes or acting out of greed.  She only needs to hear that one of her community is in need and she goes to work to get help.  Her compassion for all of us reaches far beyond her obligations to her job.  She is a joy to be around.  She comes in with a smile every day even though she is called Hitler, the Devil and numerous other names that I don’t want to repeat.  It is a small handful of people in our community that cannot see beyond themselves and realize that she is just doing her job.

Lastly, posts such as the one I am responding to do nothing but make it hard for us to sell our homes when the time comes to sell.  My advice to all is to meet Darla and make up your own mind.  You will see the truth!  She is great!