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I have been a resident at a Timbercreek Communities property at 300 Regina St. N Tower # 2 in Waterloo since the first of September 2016. Upon signing the 1 year lease agreement I was offered a promotion of 3 months free rent and was advised by the rental sales associate, Vivian, that this promotion can be applied any way I saw fit. Vivian confirmed with my boyfriend & I that we could split the 3 months free rent over the 12 month lease term resulting in a lower monthly payment. We signed the lease on this condition as the current asking price of $1480/month was definitely not of value with the current accommodations. The pool and basketball courts were currently closed with the promise to re-open. After moving into the apartment we learned that the pool would remain permanently closed and payments cannot be spread out over 12 months, we had to take the 3 months consecutively. We notified the rental office we would like to take our first 3 months free.Shortly after a notice for eviction showed up in our mailbox for non-payment of rent. After a brief panic we sorted the matter out with the rental office who had made a mistake and forgot to note which 3 months we would like to take free.
When we were scheduled to move into the building the service elevator was non-operational for weeks, causing me to incur fees for storage and live in a non-furnished apartment for a month. This was 4 months ago and Timbercreek still hasn't reimbursed us for the charges. The apartment was left dirty and with damages from the previous residents that were left for us to clean and fix. The fitness accommodations in this building are pathetic and the basketball courts are still without nets. We don't use the laundry facility in the building because it is always dirty and we found dead bugs in the lint tray of the dryer.
We have submitted multiple maintenance reports for basic things to be fixed. E.g, there are always plumbing/drain issues, there were missing screens, holes in the walls/doors, paint from the ceiling on the bedroom windows & our bedroom door will not stay shut and we have a roommate which makes things very inconvenient and sometimes awkward . Each time maintenance comes to our apartment they spend about 15 minutes and never complete the full request. There are still broken screens in our apartment, paint on the windows, a hole in our bedroom door and a sink or drain acting up almost daily. The water in the apartment takes so long to heat up or cool down, our kitchen sink has been missing the tap so water sprays all over every time you use it. The water in the building is so harsh it causes my dishes to come out with hard water residue that I can't clean off. The ventilation in the apartment needs to be cleaned, the air quality is very dry and the moisture build-up in the bathroom is causing the paint to bubble and peel.
The maintenance workers in this building are not people you would feel comfortable having alone in your apartment or around your family. One in particular, Nick has been seen letting non-residents who pick up cigarette butts from the parking lot into the building to hangout in the lobby. This is a frequent occurrence which is an obvious security concern to myself and the other residents. This is the same maintenance worker that we see around town hanging out with apparent drug addicts and homeless people.
There was an incident where this very same maintenance worker went through a bag of our garbage we had left improperly disposed in the garbage room. When my boyfriend confronted Nick about going through our garage Nick proceeded to make up false accusations that my boyfriend threatened him when he very clearly did not. There were witnesses around as this instance took place in the lobby of the building and was made a public scene for the other residents of our building to witness. Ryan Cunneyworth, the "community manager" of our building joined in on this matter in the lobby and instantly took the side of his employee Nick. Ryan wouldn't listen to the valid concerns we had about Nick in general or the invasion of our privacy that took place when he sifted through our garbage to find out what apartment we lived in. Ryan advised us he would be calling the police regarding the false accusations made by Nick. This was all very unprofessional on behalf of Timbercreek, we were left feeling violated and embarassed by the way they handled this matter. Following this incident were stressed out about Ryan threatening to file a police report against us. Which we found out days later to be an empty threat. Nevertheless, not the sort of behavior you'd expect from the property manager in the building where you live.
Nobody has listened to our concerns about Nick and we continue to see him uncomfortably around our building and neighborhood with sketchy looking people. It's no wonder that our mailboxes were broken into with the kinds of people he brings around our building. As a result we were never notified that someone tried to steal mail from our mailboxes, my mail was returned several times, just before Christmas due to damage that was never repaired to our mailbox. The buzzer code to the building was then changed due to this "breach in security" and was not given to the residents who relied on it to get in the building. Instead you're expected to buy a key fob for $50 from the rental office in order to get in the building.
I went down to the rental office just a couple days before Christmas because I had lost my fob that was given to me and could no longer get in the building (We only received 2 key fobs to begin with even though there are 3 residents in our unit). I was advised that I needed to purchase one but wasn't able to right then so now over the holidays I spend my time waiting in the foyer for another resident to let me in. Which they all do because there are many other residents just like me who aren't going to spend $50 on a key fob when we were all provided with and relying on a code to get in the building for free. Taking the access code away from the residents was not a security measure it was a money making scheme that backfired because now everyone lets anyone in the building assuming that they live here because everyone is fed up about being trapped in the foyer.
The elevators in this building are so bad in terms of service and appearance it has become a joke among the residents. But this joke stops being funny when the elevator takes 10 minutes to come to your floor causing you to be late for public transit and work as a result. Sometimes the elevators don't move at all and a crowd of people are left waiting in the lobby. Sometimes you can't select your floor because the button doesn't work or the elevator just simply doesn't stop. In addition to poor function these elevators are continuously dirty and unsafe. I have seen broken beer bottles, a used condom, discarded food items and garbage in the elevators.
My boyfriend works from home and was unable to do so for many consecutive days due the construction noises coming from the apartment across the hall and beneath our apartment. When he brought his concerns about the continuous disruptive noise level in our apartment to Ryan, my boyfriend was then advised to "deal with it." Which is again not the kind of behavior you would expect from the property manager in the building where you live.
It has been an absolute battle to live in this Timbercreek Community building, ever since the very beginning when we were tricked into signing the lease agreement. Timbercreek also gave/sold my personal information (my name, what apartment I live in and my phone number) to sales representatives from Bell and Rogers home services upon moving in a representative showed up at my apartment and another was contacting me on my cellphone, both entirely unwarranted on my behalf.
It's unfortunate we are signed into an agreement (under false pretenses) for 8 more months in this building under terrible management. I do not feel comfortable or safe in my own home. I can't access my building when I need to. I can't simply walk into my home whenever I want to. I have to wait for someone to let me in and pray that the elevators are working. Timbercreek very clearly does not care about their residents or the quality of their lives under their management. We won't make the mistake of living in a Timbercreek Community again and I hope that this helps someone else avoid the stress that Timbercreek has caused to me and my family.
Amanda Latouf & Wayne Hoover
I read your story about Timbercreek, what caught my attention the most was your comments about Ryan who you claim threatened to call the police and accuse you of uttering threats as he actually did the very thing to me causing me to loose my job, jeopardize a legal matter which could put me in harms way and loose a federal license I held. Much of your story is almost identical to mine and against the advise of my legal advisors I decided to tell my horrifying story, all of which I can substantiate with supporting documents, with only a few slight differences that I will explain below with the exception of the garbage incident, I didn't have that issue.
My story started at in June 15 2016 when I moved into my newly remodeled 1 bedroom at a time when Timbercreek (the new owner at that time) was advertising 50% off rent for 3 months. When the leasing agent showed me the unit I was told that Timbercreek was offering 50 % off rent for 3 months during the summer months when vacancy rates are very high due to students returning home for the summer AND to compensate new tenants for excessive noise and dirt during the ongoing renovations, I was then told by the leasing agent, he made a mistake and thinks the incentives were 3 months free rent. At time of signing I was informed by the superintendent Charlene Douglas that the incentives were 50% off only until September 01 as students are returning the occupancy rates would go up and incentives would be cancelled after August 31 2016 in other words I would only receive 50% off my rent for half of June, July and August but not for half the month of September. The beginning of September I was stunned when I arrived home and found signs around the buildings advertising 3 months free rent which was exactly what the leasing agent told me and ironically the leasing agent no longer worked for Timbercreek nor did the superintendent Charlene Douglas at which time I spoke to the new "community manager" Ryan Cunneyworth who didn't have a clue about what he was doing his story contradicted everything I was told which was when I spoke to the Regional Manager who apologized for the errors made by her staff and who told me that unfortunately nothing could be done as I had already signed my lease and they would not extend the newest incentives of 3 months free rent to me, however she would comensate me by offering me free parking as long as I lived at Timbercreek, and if I decided to move to a less expensive Timbercreek property they would wave any administration fees, and Timbercreek would extend any incentive offered at time of the renewal of my lease this year (if any). I understand incentives change and appreciated the offer and put the incident behind me even though I felt lied to and cheated out of incentives I should have received.
Just like you, I had the exact same issues with the buzzer system and similar issues with the post boxes. My post box was also broken and much of my mail including government checks and credit card bills were never received, I'm guessing they must have been stolen. After repeated requests to have the lock on my mailbox fixed I was told by Ryan that Timbercreek could not repair the boxes and that they were the property and the responsibility of Canada Post. I believed Ryan as what he said seemed logical, until the day that my lock was fixed by Chris the maintenance guy who told me it was a 5 min job. As we all know, the mail delivery was stopped to our buildings because of security issues. In total there were 3 different post office locations that my mail or parcels got shuffled between as part of my employment as a product tester I received parcels or product daily. As a result of the mail suspension I spent over $400.00 in uber charges shuttling from post office to post office to pick up my parcels or my mail. What finally got to me was that I had to ask my employer to trace my paycheck which was sent by mail on the 22nd but I did not receive it until the 9th normally a 4 to 5 day process, took 18 days before I received my pay. As a result I was late on my rent and received an eviction notice. After discussing the matter with Ryan I was informed that Timbercreek would not reimburse the uber charges and he reiterated that Timbercreek was taking all matters very seriously and that is why they took the responsibility of stopping mail delivery to our buildings, to protect the mail security of the tenants. Days later the mail carrier who I had come to know very well, told me Canada Post stopped all mail delivery to 300 Regina and would not resume delivery until Timbercreek made the repairs to the mailboxes, and that it is the responsibility of Timbercreek to ensure the mailboxes are safe and secure. An outright lie by Timbercreek to all tenants and a complete contradiction to what was written on the posted notice. I discussed the matter again with Ryan who literally turned and walked away with no explanation or answer and that's where my real problems began.
During the same period 4 brand new Jeep rims and tires, were carelessly left outside the building shipping doors by a friend. I was in my apartment when there a knock on the door and a voice I recognized as Ryan's informed me of the tires and rims and that 2 pieces of mail would be put in my mailbox. Later the tires and rims were gone, but the mail was in my box. After questioning Ryan, he had absolutely no knowledge of the tires or the mail. This matter was brought up months later one more time during a phone conversation I had with Ryan and the day before I was arrested for allegedly uttering threats.
The promised incentives of 3 months free was revoked, and the eviction process continued in full force against me, and it was clear they wanted me out and told me so at the tribunal through their lawyer who threatened me with future eviction notices if I won my case against Timbercreek that day. The lawyer then accused me of things which were not true, even accused me of not picking up my dogs poop amongst other things which is an outright lie. Both Ryan and the regional manager were present at the tribunal, the regional manager beside their lawyer and Ryan directly behind me. After a very detailed and thorough explanation of sensitive information to the tribunal and providing proof my rent was paid to Timbercreek in full, I was still evicted because, the company cheque issued by my employer directly to Timbercreek as they would not accept automatic withdrawl had not cleared their account by the day of the tribunal because Timbercreek waited until the day before to deposit it - 8 days after it was given to them. Intentional perhaps or just a clerical error?
The sheriff came and I was given only until 4 pm that day (Friday) which was extended to 8pm after mentioning that the law states that I am allowed entry for 72 hours following the sheriffs eviction from 8 am to 8 pm and it is illegal for a landlord to refuse it. I was not allowed entry on Saturday or Sunday and more than half my belongings were held captive by Timbercreek including a safe holding my original lawyer and copy of my last will and codicil, jewelry and medals passed down by my grandfather, stocks other valuables plus my bedroom furniture, Grand Jeep Cherokee and much more.
2 days following I was arrested by police, lost my job, a federal license and my home. This matter is before the courts but my belongings were disposed of by Timbercreek, so be cautious of the promises made by them, my story is 100 % true and some other things I didn't even mention. I will add that my eyes almost popped out of my head when a friend looked searched out of curiosity profiles on linked in and found a relationship to the YORK REGIONAL POLICE. Look for yourself
I read this and thought... how can you put names in here? Putting a first and last name has put you in a position to be sued for slander. You also stated you didn't properly dispose of your garbage which would give Timbercreek a reason to go through the bag to find out who did not properly dispose of their garbage. No way would Nick have enjoyed picking through garbage. Who would enjoy that? You basically accused a guy of being a crackhead. Sketchy and suggested he was breaking into mailboxes! Shame on You! You don't know him personally you have no idea. I know he has 2 full time cleaning jobs. He works all night at another place and all day at Timbercreek. I have a friend who lives in a Timbercreek building. If your name is not on the lease then it's difficult to get a fob. Do you realize what you have done to this Ryan and Nick? People read this stuff and it could affect them in their lives. I suggest you delete this before you get sued. Unless that's happening already.
I have to disagree and somewhat laugh at your post. I have lived at 300 Regina for a few years .Any company whether it's timbercreek, Greenwin, Northview etc need to make noise to renovate units and improve the quality of the buildings . Do you expect them to go unit to unit asking when it's convenient for you when and when not they can make noise ?! As far as your fob goes it is the tenants responsibility to not lose it . So you were inconvienced because of fault of your own no one elses. If you assume the wait for the elevator is going to be so long to make you late, maybe you should use the stairs or prepare yourself according to not be late . The cleaners have a right to go through the garbage to find out who and what units continually clog the chutes. As far as you running people's name in the dirt ie) hanging dowmtown with know drug users and homeless people is a very serious accusation, and could land you in alot of trouble. Defamation of character is a criminal offence, unless you to are associated with these said "homeless people and known drug users " and know them on a personal basis ? . To point fingers at Nick saying he lets all the Sketchy people in as you stated is a bunch of crap . You stated yourself that everyone let's people in. Nick is a very hard worker and most of all respectful. To expect Tinbercreek to make all the improvements overnight as it seems you expected is totally irrational and delusional on your part . It takes time and money and manpower to do all the said renovations they are scheduled to make, not to mention weather is a factor too, it's basic common sense, something it seems you are lacking . There is never congestion in the lobbys to wait for a elevator like you said . Yes there are at times garbage in the elevators, but as you knew before you moved in 85℅ of people who reside here are university and college students, who at the best of times aren't the most responsible especially after a night of drinking . I do however understand about your concern for having your things in storage and not being able to furnish your unit .But as a tenant myself I think it's very unfair to point blame and make outrageous accusations about someone with nothing to back it up with, and as you stated have been just as guilty as other tenants so you say for doing the exact same thing you are accussing others of doing . The reason why fobs were put in place is not for a money making scheme, but for security reasons because as you stated with all the Sketchy people being let in. As far as the mail boxes being broken into, hunny that was happening long before your arrival here . Not sure if you listen to the news but there were a string of breakins happening all over KW and it was at Christmas time, so for you to say it was Nick's fault blows my mind on how your brain works. Do you always point blame when things don't go your way ? And to get the facts straight Nick is a cleaner here not Maintenance . The maintenance guys here go above and beyond to make sure tenants needs are met . As you said you are not going to make the mistake of being in a timber Creek community, as I'm sure they will not make the same mistake again to have you as a tenant in the timbercreek community !
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