The Pointe Apartments, Brea CA

Horrible experience here. Was having extremely bad allergies when we first moved in and I checked the air filters to find they were basically non existent. The washers and dryers always had a foul order that we were never able to get rid of no matter how many different cleaning supplies we tried. There was also an infestation of cockroaches and rats at the apartments. We only stayed 6 months before breaking our lease and leaving due to the living conditions. When it came time to leave management and their leasing consultant were extremely rude. I would not recommend anyone move into these motel style apartments.

This complex is owned by a large corporation, Olen Properties.   I went to the Brea Police Department  to ask about crime at the apartments because when I did the tour of the complex with Teresa I was concerned about safety since there is a vacant business in the front of the property and open access to parking garages. The police told me that recently there was a catalytic converter theft from the parking garage. I wanted to see what the area was like in the late afternoon and planned to check what it was like on the weekends.   I also wanted to get a copy of the contract that I would have to sign.   Today, Kheo Lai answered the phone and I asked him if I could see the contract that I would have to sign. He said I could not take the contract with me but that I  could come read it in the office. So I went to the leasing office  to review the contract which is many pages long with additional pages of addendums.   An older woman, I think her name was Sherry; she did nit introduce herself, lectured me for asking questions about the contract. She said I was being "negative" when wanting to know how long a repair would take if there was a problem with an appliance. She said "Asking these questions makes it hard for us. " 1. You pay a $500 security deposit for renting an apartment in case the tenant damages the unit. However, how they use it is illegal. On a one year lease, when you move out, they repaint and for a one bedroom it costs $488.   They charge for cleaning the apartment and cleaning the carpet in the bedroom. As a landlord of several rental properties in Laguna Niguel I have never charged a tenant for repainting and patching small holes between tenants.  California law states that patching small holes and repainting a unit is a cost for "normal wear and tear" that the Landlord is responsible for paying. 2. They have a clause in the contract that says they can change anything regarding, well, anything! 3. It is a long walk from your parking space to your apartment. Some large complexes have an industrial cart the tenants can use but this place does not.   So, carrying water, canned goods, soda, alcohol, dog food, cat litter and all shopping is hard.   A woman was unloading her Costco shopping trip in the parking garage when I arrived today. She first parked near the elevator which is behind another door that is not automated. She unloaded her stuff and left it as she went a long distance to park her SUV then returned to the items that were sitting on the ground outside the doors to enter the place where the elevator is located. As she was unloading she said "This is such a pain! ". 4. They charge deposits and fees for everything. For example, you pay a $50 deposit for a FOB.   However, if you lose it you are charged $75, not the $50 you paid.  5.   There is a fee for them to read the meters for the use of water and sewer.  5. The smoking policy says that tobacco products are not allowed but is silent about marijuana and vaping. That was the issue that seemed to set the woman in the leasing office off. I had asked "If someone is smoking marijuana on the balcony below my unit, how is that handled? " I left because she said I was "negative" when asking for details about what I would legally have to sign and scolded me that I was  "getting special treatment" by being allowed to review the contract.   I told her "Well, I certainly don't want to make things hard for you" pushed the papers away and walked out.   In addition to the contract there are a dozen pages of Addendums.   She also said "You are asking to see the contract and you haven't even applied". It appears that they want your $250 plus the additional money to do the credit check and background check before you can even see what exactly you are applying for. It is right next to the 57 freeway and street people occupy the sidewalks and are aggressive. See photo.