Marin Royal Apartments

Please do not live at this complex!
Most important: Complex is poorly built to begin with. Owner has done almost nothing to maintain it. It is literally falling apart.
–We had to share access to cable with the unit downstairs because it was never actually wired to begin with. We actually had to connect through our closet and run the wire down the hall and across the living room floor. We had horrible, spotty service for cable and internet for months while the owner and cable company fought over old wiring and which party was responsible for fixing it.
–The refrigerator was old and had a bad leak. We had to place a salad bowl inside to catch the water that we had to empty every 2 days. The fridge would also unpredictably heat and cool, causing the loss of thousands of dollars in fresh food. After three requests the fridge was replaced with an even older model-​with the same problem! After several more months and repair requests we received a letter from the complex pointing out that we had a lot of «issues» and would have to wait over a month for a fix.
–Mold smell was unbearable. We broke down and cleaned the unit over and over and could never get to the source. I think it was just an old, dirty place. We never got mold personally but our neighbors did. It was creeping wondering what we were breathing in while living there.
–We were overran by a swarm of ants in the summer. They came up out of our sink in a swarm and after several attempts to rid ourselves of them through other methods we asked the complex to send an exterminator. When they refused we paid for one ourselves. The exterminator was kind enough to encourage me to leave the complex. He pointed out that something this bad was clearly a landlord issue and that other complexed he serviced regularly covered issues like this for their tenants.
–Numerous other maintenance requests for typical crap when you’re living in a junky place like this were often overlooked. It typically took 2 – 3 requests, emails, and phones calls. «Repair» usually consistent of jiggling handles and wedging things with sticks until they worked again. WTF? I’m not blaming management or the repair guy for this. This is the product of a slum lord.
Plus sides?
–Management is a nice lady who lives onsite. She keeps the grounds up beautifully and is helpful and friendly. Parking is assigned for one and street parking is plentiful. You’ll get to know your neighbors as you swap stories in the walk ways about the most recent violation of renter’s rights. You will also pay well below the market rate for rent. You will get exactly what you pay for.

After repeated attempts to collect our rightful refund, Dawn and/​or owner has manufactured lies, inaacuracies and incredible fictions in order to keep a couple of hundred dollars that rightfully belongs to us. These are not honest and upright people. Dawn, the apparent property manager seems nice at first but beware about signing her contracts and giviing her money. You will not see it again. She changes terms at will and astonished us with the degree of false statements and representations in order to unjustly keep money that should have be refunded to us. This case may end up in court. I would like to spare anyone else from going through what we went through with these unscrupulous people. We were newcomers to Marin and it is unfortunate that the first landlords we encountered when looking for a decent apartment were probably the worst Marin has to offer. Something is very wrong with this place. I have filed complaints against this establishment and hope that we will recover our funds. Meanwhile, save yourself a lot of time and trouble by staying clearing of these scammers.

For those of you considering choosing Marin Royal as your new place to rent a couple words of caution…
— Management has changed three times within a year of my residence here,
— The water seems to be shut off every week for «repairs,
— When I left my apartment, it was in absolutely perfect shape, not one mark, scuff or stain anywhere! I think it actually looked better then when i moved in. BUT! They took ____$____ out of my deposit to paint and vacuum which would normally be for wear and tear.
–Oh and they charged me for a light bulb! And I replaced most of the light bulbs in the apartment with low energy bulbs in the beginning, WTF!
–They take 1 month before giving you your deposit back, so be prepared to have another deposit when moving to another place.
— The lease has very rigid and strict rules such as only giving notice in writing, to vacate on the first of the month with your rent ONLY. The rules make it almost impossible to move out without losing $$$$$.
— There is a minor bug problem in the apartment building.
–And if you have a problem with your apartment, be prepared to have them blame you for its failure, even though its from 1975!!!(i.e. garbage disposal). As well as taking for ever to fix it!!!
–Very overpriced:
You have to pay a pro-​rated water bill that everybody has to split, even if you are one person compared to a family of five next door!
You have to pay garbage too. Most places this is included as well as water!
The insulation in the building is horrible, Sometimes I thought my neighbor was in my apartment coughing, walls are «paper thin».
— If you do decide to rent here read the lease VERY CAREFULLY before signing a year and your entire paycheck over to them!