11/12/24
Beware of Safety, Management, and Maintenance Issues: A Disappointing Experience at Whetstone Apartments
Starting with positives, the building was consistently clean, thanks to diligent cleaning staff, and I had no major issues with utilities like AC or plumbing during my 12-month stay. Maintenance handled minor issues promptly. Unfortunately, these aspects were among the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing experience.
If you're interested in a small, overpriced apartment with excessive fees in an unsafe area and unprofessional staff, this may be the place for you. It’s crucial to... consider the area's safety before being swayed by the slightly lower price compared to nicer apartments in Durham. The surrounding area has questionable activity, especially near nearby low-income housing where residents pay about half of what Whetstone charges. I even saw a person waving a gun around a block from the complex.
Soon after moving in, I was wrongly accused of a noise violation via a note on my door. I provided video evidence proving the noise came from another unit, but management responded with indifference and no apology.
The fire alarm system was faulty, going off every time I used my oven, which maintenance confirmed had no fix. This constant disruption discouraged using the oven, as the alarms would inevitably disturb neighbors.
The building frequently had an odor of marijuana in hallways, and trash was often left in common areas. Infrastructure issues were common: the elevators frequently needed maintenance, and the call box was broken for weeks, leaving me locked out multiple times.
Management was the most infuriating aspect. Theft is frequent, with packages and cars stolen from the supposedly gated garage. When I reported my stolen package, management blamed me for not timing the delivery. When my car was stolen, they delayed confirming the situation, leaving me in limbo.
Interactions with management, particularly Q, were consistently unpleasant. The worst instance occurred when she attempted to charge me over $1,000, falsely claiming I hadn’t provided the required 60-day notice, trying to make me pay for an extra month at a $1000/month higher rate. After consulting a lawyer, I had to escalate the issue to Greystar and her supervisors, who eventually resolved it in my favor.
After moving out, I received a collections notice about unreturned equipment, which I’d left in the apartment, assuming management would handle it. Instead, they disposed of it, leaving me with a $232 bill.
Review from Apartments.com