Garrettland Inc - Oakland, Maryland

Joanna W.

I have lived in Garrettland apartments for 3 1/2 years. This is the worst possible rental company I've ever had to deal with. When I first moved in, I informed the company that I was inly accepting the unit because I was homeless and had no other options at that time, but I needed a one floor apartment due to severe arthritis in my knees and back. I wasn't able to live in the unit for 3 months at the beginning of the lease due to there being stairs, which I hoped was a one off due to extenuating circumstances. The first 2 years I lived here, I was told over and over that I was on a waiting list for a handicapped unit, then 2 years later, I was told I had never been on a waiting list. I, then, got a doctor's note stating that my arthritis had gotten so bad, I wasn't able to walk up and down stairs and made sure to turn it in. 1 1/2 years later, I still don't have a handicap unit. There was a unit that was absolutely perfect for me, and it was given to someone else. I had out off knee replacement surgery for as long as I could, but the arthritis got so bad, my doctor advised me to get ny knee replaced as soon as possible. I, once again, am not able to stay in my own apartment due to not being able to walk up and down stairs. My surgeon then sent Garrettland a letter stating what accommodations were needed for me, and the response I received was the company will not fulfill the accommodations due to price.

This company currently charges us 68.3% of our income for rent, and still says they don't have money to meet the requirements they are legally obligated to meet. They did tell me, I could pay for it and they might approve a contractor.

In addition, I was told I was allowed to install a bidet, but then they decided they wanted maintenance to install it. It took 2 years and another doctor's note before they would get around to it. When that bidet broke, I decided to get another one and install it myself. The company came in for the yearly inspection and decided the bathroom floor needed to be replaced, due to normal wear and tear. They have charged me an extra $350+, because they say the bidet is what caused the floor to be ruined.

Not only is this the most greedy rental company I've had to deal with, but some of the employees are the absolute worst people I have been forced to interact with. I have finally been offered a one bedroom unit, we need two bedrooms, AFTER I got a lawyer involved. In addition, when I first moved in, I specifically asked if this was a subsidized unit due to the price being a little high, and was told it was. I then found out, it was not a subsidized unit and they blatantly lied to me. They are used to dealing with people who don't advocate for themselves and will accept whatever they are told. If you do have to deal with this company, make sure you have done a significant amount of research, or they will take advantage of you in any way they can.

Hannah B.

My experience with Garrettland was bad from the start. When applying for a unit they want all of your personal information and that made me uncomfortable. They even asked for the bank account number we had a car loan through! I felt this was unnecessary. I would not sign the lease until we saw the unit. They acted as if that was very inconvenient for them. I felt as though I was bothering the resident manager when we walked through the unit so we left quickly. After we signed the lease and had the keys, the real nightmare started. The unit was in bad shape. Water damaged cabinets, cigarette burns (in a NON-SMOKING apartment) in the carpet, peeling paint in the bathroom (that they promised to fix but never did). I decided to clean the unit as best as I could because at the time we had no other options. Upon cleaning, I discovered urine on the baseboards. We had not moved our stuff in yet when I also discovered the unit was INFESTED WITH FLEAS. I contacted the resident manager and the regional manager. After initially blaming us for the FLEAS, they said they would send pest control. No mention of when; just that he would be coming. The pest control man did not believe we had a bug problem and left without doing anything during the initial visit. My family was being eaten alive by the worst FLEAS I have ever experienced and I kept calling for them to come treat the unit. After several MONTHS of the pest control man half-a$$ing his job, he finally used something to get rid of them for good. A major problem I had with the unit was that THERE WAS NO DEADBOLT LOCK. Only a standard door knob with push button lock. I felt unsafe in the complex, even with the frequent police presence that was there. My neighbor would smoke marijuana inside their unit (that wasn't allowed per the lease) and sometimes the smell would be so overwhelming that I paid money for a motel room just to get away from it (money that I really didn't have in the first place). My neighbor also stored non-outdoor furniture on their back patio which attracted mice. The mice ruined things that we had in our shed. When we finally had enough and decided to move out, I cleaned the apartment completely spotless. I have worked in the cleaning business for quite some time, so, I don't mess around. I had heard rumors that Garrettland were notorious for being crooks and keeping your deposit. I had paid a $500 deposit for a low income apartment and I really needed it back. After the final walk through with the resident manager; for which she complemented us by saying "we were the best tenants" and "wow, it's so clean. I'm glad I won't have to call the cleaning lady". They look $213 of my deposit and said I owed them $260 for carpet cleaning. There was no explanation of why they took $213. I left the unit in better condition than when I found it and had the carpet cleaned on my own dime. Why did it need to be cleaned again? DO NOT rent from this company. I NEVER WILL AGAIN!

Ashley H.

Garrettland is organized to keep you in poverty and barely able to meet your means. They harass you, violate your privacy at every turn, and act as if they do no wrong. They are not punctual, they will show up late or way early consistently, never on time or show up without informing you at all. They used the money we payed for rent to pay someone else’s rent by “accident”, told us repeatedly we did not pay our rent when we had TWO forms of proof we did, bank statements and the receipt from the property manager. Acted as if we were liars and were disrespectful when we told them to look into it after showing proof we payed the months rent. Got back to us the next day and informed us of their ignorant “mistake”. When we first moved in, Garrettland gave us the wrong account number for our water bill. Turns out we were paying someone else’s water bill too, which we also have proof of from the water company. The barge in after knocking two times, even if you tell them to wait you are putting clothes on, when they weren’t supposed to even show up until a half hour later to begin with. When we first moved in, they told us everything had been inspected and was good to go, yet multiple things that have also been recorded have not worked since we’ve moved in. Whatever company they use for maintenance is slacking in various ways as well. The “face masks” they are mandated to wear are paper thin bandanas in one persons case. We have noticed them mowing literally in the same spot for 30 minutes multiple times too. So I’m assuming they get paid by the hour and like to milk it. That is not to say all the maintenance workers are terrible, the man who checked our fire alarms and sprinklers was very respectful and competent. They also took pictures of our CLEAN laundry that had been sitting for a night and used that as a means to say we were at risks for pests and needed weekly inspections. Which they were an hour late for, and afterwards said they would not be back because there was literally nothing to imply we had pests in our apartment. In short, all the negative reviews you read about Garrettland and their apartments are true. I would not recommend anyone live here unless you have literally no other place to go. Management is a joke.

Lisa L.

I am trying to file a lawsuit against Garrett County Community Action Committee (property owners) and Garrettland (contracted property managers) for discrimination (my adult son who visited me has severe mental health issues) and slander. They are no compliant with their own lease regarding complaint / grievance procedures, guest visitation requests, and fail to recognize or enforce federal and state housing laws —like Fair Housing Act.

Joanna W.

It took 6 months to get into a unit, and the unit lacks any modern amenities. There is no dishwasher, no garbage disposal, no AC, and the units are tiny for the amount you pay. They allow you to put in a window AC unit, but the upstairs windows are made in such a way that a window unit can't be put in, so I spent the summer sleeping on the floor of my living room/dining room.

Although they call it different things, they do an inspection every month on your unit and if you aren't home, they will let themselves into your unit. There is also a yearly inspection, and they will evict you if your unit isn't clean enough or they don't like how it is organized.

I have spent 5 months trying to get ahold of my property manager and she refuses to return phone calls, but she refuses to have office hours where anyone can contact her.

The receptionist is incredible rude whether calling or in person. All corrisondice from the management company is condescending and degrading. They treat all residents like they are children. They overcharge the elderly and disabled on anything they can.

And to top it off, they have banned bully breeds from the units.

Bryan ?. C.

Tenants beware! I know too many people that have rented in these facilities. They have to many scams being done internally. You can leave one of these units cleaner than when you move in and they will claim it had to be cleaned after you move out. There are property managers that live in a unit at each location that have a tendency to just walk in any time they feel free with no prior communication, especially while not at home. The ones that check the apartments after the tenant leaves will claim to have to clean so they can then charge garrett land for labor hours to make an easy income, therefore creating deductions from your deposits. There are to be no "surprise" visits but yet they do and make up their own rules as they go. Some can find so many ways to make money any way they can without having to work for it. Sad to say, rent at your own risk with this one!

Christina D.

Sue has been great to us! Although our last landlord gave us terrible rental history by saying we never paid our bills on time, Sue gave us a chance to prove we DID always pay our rent on time or ahead. She has worked with us for over a month to get us moved in for our upcoming baby. Seriously couldn't ask for better help 🙂

Aaron K.

Had to wait on them for a long time to do the appraisal, at which time, they merely called on the phone and didn't even contact the business I was purchasing the home from. The appraisal had half of the acreage that I actually own in the very lowball total and although mistakes were made they refused to change any of the numbers. Overall, I was very displeased with the service I received from this business.

Joanna W.

I have lived in Garrettland apartments for 3 1/2 years. This is the worst possible rental company I've ever had to deal with. When I first moved in, I informed the company that I was inly accepting the unit because I was homeless and had no other options at that time, but I needed a one floor apartment due to severe arthritis in my knees and back. I wasn't able to live in the unit for 3 months at the beginning of the lease due to there being stairs, which I hoped was a one off due to extenuating circumstances. The first 2 years I lived here, I was told over and over that I was on a waiting list for a handicapped unit, then 2 years later, I was told I had never been on a waiting list. I, then, got a doctor's note stating that my arthritis had gotten so bad, I wasn't able to walk up and down stairs and made sure to turn it in. 1 1/2 years later, I still don't have a handicap unit. There was a unit that was absolutely perfect for me, and it was given to someone else. I had out off knee replacement surgery for as long as I could, but the arthritis got so bad, my doctor advised me to get ny knee replaced as soon as possible. I, once again, am not able to stay in my own apartment due to not being able to walk up and down stairs. My surgeon then sent Garrettland a letter stating what accommodations were needed for me, and the response I received was the company will not fulfill the accommodations due to price.

This company currently charges us 68.3% of our income for rent, and still says they don't have money to meet the requirements they are legally obligated to meet. They did tell me, I could pay for it and they might approve a contractor.

In addition, I was told I was allowed to install a bidet, but then they decided they wanted maintenance to install it. It took 2 years and another doctor's note before they would get around to it. When that bidet broke, I decided to get another one and install it myself. The company came in for the yearly inspection and decided the bathroom floor needed to be replaced, due to normal wear and tear. They have charged me an extra $350+, because they say the bidet is what caused the floor to be ruined.

Not only is this the most greedy rental company I've had to deal with, but some of the employees are the absolute worst people I have been forced to interact with. I have finally been offered a one bedroom unit, we need two bedrooms, AFTER I got a lawyer involved. In addition, when I first moved in, I specifically asked if this was a subsidized unit due to the price being a little high, and was told it was. I then found out, it was not a subsidized unit and they blatantly lied to me. They are used to dealing with people who don't advocate for themselves and will accept whatever they are told. If you do have to deal with this company, make sure you have done a significant amount of research, or they will take advantage of you in any way they can.

Hannah B.

My experience with Garrettland was bad from the start. When applying for a unit they want all of your personal information and that made me uncomfortable. They even asked for the bank account number we had a car loan through! I felt this was unnecessary. I would not sign the lease until we saw the unit. They acted as if that was very inconvenient for them. I felt as though I was bothering the resident manager when we walked through the unit so we left quickly. After we signed the lease and had the keys, the real nightmare started. The unit was in bad shape. Water damaged cabinets, cigarette burns (in a NON-SMOKING apartment) in the carpet, peeling paint in the bathroom (that they promised to fix but never did). I decided to clean the unit as best as I could because at the time we had no other options. Upon cleaning, I discovered urine on the baseboards. We had not moved our stuff in yet when I also discovered the unit was INFESTED WITH FLEAS. I contacted the resident manager and the regional manager. After initially blaming us for the FLEAS, they said they would send pest control. No mention of when; just that he would be coming. The pest control man did not believe we had a bug problem and left without doing anything during the initial visit. My family was being eaten alive by the worst FLEAS I have ever experienced and I kept calling for them to come treat the unit. After several MONTHS of the pest control man half-a$$ing his job, he finally used something to get rid of them for good. A major problem I had with the unit was that THERE WAS NO DEADBOLT LOCK. Only a standard door knob with push button lock. I felt unsafe in the complex, even with the frequent police presence that was there. My neighbor would smoke marijuana inside their unit (that wasn't allowed per the lease) and sometimes the smell would be so overwhelming that I paid money for a motel room just to get away from it (money that I really didn't have in the first place). My neighbor also stored non-outdoor furniture on their back patio which attracted mice. The mice ruined things that we had in our shed. When we finally had enough and decided to move out, I cleaned the apartment completely spotless. I have worked in the cleaning business for quite some time, so, I don't mess around. I had heard rumors that Garrettland were notorious for being crooks and keeping your deposit. I had paid a $500 deposit for a low income apartment and I really needed it back. After the final walk through with the resident manager; for which she complemented us by saying "we were the best tenants" and "wow, it's so clean. I'm glad I won't have to call the cleaning lady". They look $213 of my deposit and said I owed them $260 for carpet cleaning. There was no explanation of why they took $213. I left the unit in better condition than when I found it and had the carpet cleaned on my own dime. Why did it need to be cleaned again? DO NOT rent from this company. I NEVER WILL AGAIN!

Ashley H.

Garrettland is organized to keep you in poverty and barely able to meet your means. They harass you, violate your privacy at every turn, and act as if they do no wrong. They are not punctual, they will show up late or way early consistently, never on time or show up without informing you at all. They used the money we payed for rent to pay someone else’s rent by “accident”, told us repeatedly we did not pay our rent when we had TWO forms of proof we did, bank statements and the receipt from the property manager. Acted as if we were liars and were disrespectful when we told them to look into it after showing proof we payed the months rent. Got back to us the next day and informed us of their ignorant “mistake”. When we first moved in, Garrettland gave us the wrong account number for our water bill. Turns out we were paying someone else’s water bill too, which we also have proof of from the water company. The barge in after knocking two times, even if you tell them to wait you are putting clothes on, when they weren’t supposed to even show up until a half hour later to begin with. When we first moved in, they told us everything had been inspected and was good to go, yet multiple things that have also been recorded have not worked since we’ve moved in. Whatever company they use for maintenance is slacking in various ways as well. The “face masks” they are mandated to wear are paper thin bandanas in one persons case. We have noticed them mowing literally in the same spot for 30 minutes multiple times too. So I’m assuming they get paid by the hour and like to milk it. That is not to say all the maintenance workers are terrible, the man who checked our fire alarms and sprinklers was very respectful and competent. They also took pictures of our CLEAN laundry that had been sitting for a night and used that as a means to say we were at risks for pests and needed weekly inspections. Which they were an hour late for, and afterwards said they would not be back because there was literally nothing to imply we had pests in our apartment. In short, all the negative reviews you read about Garrettland and their apartments are true. I would not recommend anyone live here unless you have literally no other place to go. Management is a joke.

Joanna W.

It took 6 months to get into a unit, and the unit lacks any modern amenities. There is no dishwasher, no garbage disposal, no AC, and the units are tiny for the amount you pay. They allow you to put in a window AC unit, but the upstairs windows are made in such a way that a window unit can't be put in, so I spent the summer sleeping on the floor of my living room/dining room.

Although they call it different things, they do an inspection every month on your unit and if you aren't home, they will let themselves into your unit. There is also a yearly inspection, and they will evict you if your unit isn't clean enough or they don't like how it is organized.

I have spent 5 months trying to get ahold of my property manager and she refuses to return phone calls, but she refuses to have office hours where anyone can contact her.

The receptionist is incredible rude whether calling or in person. All corrisondice from the management company is condescending and degrading. They treat all residents like they are children. They overcharge the elderly and disabled on anything they can.

And to top it off, they have banned bully breeds from the units.

Bryan ?. C.

Tenants beware! I know too many people that have rented in these facilities. They have to many scams being done internally. You can leave one of these units cleaner than when you move in and they will claim it had to be cleaned after you move out. There are property managers that live in a unit at each location that have a tendency to just walk in any time they feel free with no prior communication, especially while not at home. The ones that check the apartments after the tenant leaves will claim to have to clean so they can then charge garrett land for labor hours to make an easy income, therefore creating deductions from your deposits. There are to be no "surprise" visits but yet they do and make up their own rules as they go. Some can find so many ways to make money any way they can without having to work for it. Sad to say, rent at your own risk with this one!