1140 West Grace - Richmond, Virginia

user 8.

This apartment seemed like a dream when we first viewed it. Unfortunately, as soon as my partner and I moved in at the start of June, we were faced with a multitude of issues, some affecting our health and safety.

There is so much wrong with this building that I'm just going to list the issues we've dealt with since move in:

- Mildew/ mold exposure causing sneezing, runny/ very stuffy nose, coughing fits, cold symptoms, itchy, watery eyes, irritated throat, trouble breathing, and asthma flare-ups.
- Excess dirt, debris, and grime build up (especially in the old heat radiators). There's literally black grime buildup in there, full of dust which I'm sure is also attributing to the symptoms above.
- The unit was not professionally cleaned prior to move in
- Maintenance was not reliable even though there is a required $45 maintenance, pest control, etc fee added to the rent
- Both our kitchen and bathroom sinks were dysfunctional upon move-in. We had to wait two weeks for them to fix the sinks...
- Several of the units on our side had open backdoors with screws in them insinuating that people who didn't live in the building had gotten access, or could.
-At least two of the units on our side had water damage so badly it smells and there is black mold visible on one of the backdoors from the outside. There's a mildewy hole in the ceiling of the unit under us!
-The bathtub was disgusting with stuff in the drain and no drain cover. We asked for a cover the same week we moved in and never got one. The shower head is poorly placed into the wall. Today, we noticed greenish stuff oozing from it- not sure if that's related to water damage, too.
-Lots of spiders, centipedes, flies, gnats present since the first day we moved in.
-All of the windows were dirty and dusty so opening them for the first time was pretty scary. Several of them do not have screens or the screens are broken and old.

We were told upon viewing that this particular unit was still under renovations and there was a lot to be fixed. Overall, this unit was not ready for paying tenants to live in comfortably. Of the several houses & apartments I've resided in in Richmond, I've never had such nightmarish issues exist- especially not immediately upon move in. I can't believe the audacity Greenbrier had to display a 'fully renovated' banner in front of such a poorly kept building with water-damaged walls. They put stainless steel appliances over rotting floorboards and called it "renovated"...
In the main stairwell area, there's dirt and even a spider with white spray paint over it... like how did they have someone paint without sweeping first lol I can't. It wasn't until we threatened to move out that management actually started responding in a more timely manner and fixed our sink. Still, the other large issues have been left unresolved.

At the end of our tribulations, we were able to break our lease early, thank God. I'm not writing this to hate- I really wish things could have gone differently. I believe anyone considering living here should know about these issues I had to face just in case they might cause health concerns for you as they did for us. We felt lied to and taken advantage of by the community. Hopefully they actually fix these issues because this building is in a super great location for VCU students, is spacious, and has balconies.
Students and other young renters, please look out for yourselves and don't be fooled.

TheLibraMan

I have been living there for 3 years. I have a tub that is peeling and has been for two months. I was told that they would have to contract out and once it was done it would be 2 days before i use it. I have put in 5 orders for this and i received a text saying some guy was taking over for the other manager, that has nothing to do with me. they cant answer any calls, no office on site and all they do is send reminders that rent is due. Also the water is the same price for one person or 5, i pay the same as families and i use probably a fourth of the water. Cant wait until my lease is up in December. And those peelings are getting in the drain and starting to clog up shower, but i have documented everything so when it gets stopped up that's something I don't want to hear it. I would never recommend this place to anyone!!!

Preston B.

Needed a replacement key for my mailbox, I messaged management on a Friday and Cindy Cleaver told me that that was no issue and to put in a service request through the web portal. Once I told her that I had important mail in my box and that waiting for my turn to receive service would cause trouble for me, she personally drove to my apartment and delivered the key to me within 2 hours of my request. Amazing service, thanks guys.

Christina S.

I must say things are turning around in our complex in a good way. I'm starting to enjoy my place a lot more. I'm grateful for the newer updates that are being done in our apartments
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06/03/2021
Update: Maybe a month ago I was told that I'd receive a new refrigerator , by Mary.
Mary also asked me to right a review I did a month later still no refrigerator. I'm guessing Mary told me this to keep me quiet and it did. Do better Noah at Pembroke Pines!

Marcus C.

These 5 starts are specifically for Jolene Brown the new property manager. I did not get direct answers, feedback, or the responses I needed until Jolene came on the scene.

Before her, even the simplest calls, emails, voicemails, everything went unanswered whether local, regional or national, it was that hard to get an answer.

But she has been truly responsive and personable. Ive seen a few things start to change once she took over and they were overdue for sure. I think if she's allowed to stay around things might be alright. She's the only reason I'm hesitant to look for another place. Nothing is worse than a horrible property manager and Jolene is remarkable!

Bruce S.

Mom is a resident here and stayed here for a time after losing my job.

Nice community with good people working and running the place. Fixed a small leak in her sink very quickly which was nice even during covid-19. Management has definitely changed the place for the better.

Ryan C.

lived there until August 2020, until I moved into a home. The property turned a corner in 2018, after lots of problems with management and maintenance in the past. Really hated the place, but then a management company took over and it was a great experience over the past two years. Renovated unit was great to live and management was very responsive.

john F.

Finally good help in the office. Mary is great!

Updated** sept 22

I was talking to mary in the office about the landscaping company damaging my car months ago. She was being extremely compliant and helpful then just disappears. Heh. No one held accountable and now my car matches how the complex is ran...like garbage.