Clock Tower Apartments

We took over a lease from another couple, with the understanding that the keys would be in the mailbox when we arrived late in August of 2015. They were not. We needed to wake some poor soul to come let us into the apartment, and allow our van into the parking lot.
We were told that someone from staff would be in the office later that day, a Sunday, to provide us with copies of our keys. That did not happen. I don’t remember how we got back into the complex that evening after needing to go buy some dinner after the gate closed, but it was fraught with anxiety for us.
On Monday, the staff seemed mystified by both the problem we had with the keys, and with the fact that no one arrived at the office on Sunday. We were assured that personnel were normally on-​site on Sundays. For the duration of our time there, we never found that to be the case.
There were other problems.
First off, there was significant noise from what sounded like running water coming from the apartment directly above us. We reported it, but it took a month to fix. We were told that they needed to confirm that the apartment in question was vacant. That explanation did not make much sense. Staff were friendly when responding to our queries about the issue, but again, it took a month to fix.
There were problems with noise from other renters, particularly on weekend nights. We needed to report the issue several times, as the noise kept us awake until very late at night. Again, a resolution took significant time.
Then there was the coup de grace.
When we moved out, having found a home to purchase, we gave notice, but because we were never informed of when said notice was needed, we ended up paying an additional month’s rent. Also, our lease ended in September, and we were told in a letter from management that if we paid a new higher rate, we could rent on a month-​to-​month basis. Knowing that we were moving out shortly, we naturally chose that option.
Not only did management then attempt to collect a move-​out fee, which is not legal when in a month-​to-​month arrangement, they threatened us with a collection agency. We responded to their letter, indicating our opposition to this, but heard nothing back until, indeed, a collection agency called.
Further legal research indicated other problems. There was never an inspection when we took over the lease from the former renters. We were never presented with any of the paperwork we signed, and when we asked for copies, we were ignored.
We now have two choices. Pay exorbitant fees for a legal resolution, or pay the move-​out fee. A no-​win situation.
We are opting to pay the collection agency under protest, and to submit letters detailing our opposition to the credit reporting agencies.
Our advice to other renters? Get everything in writing. Do not trust the management. As nice as the person in the front office is, she is not the property manager. Make sure that you get the manager’s signature on everything.
UPDATE:
Whoever it is from Clocktower that monitors Unilocal activity has *said* someone will be in touch. Not yet. I’m not holding my breath. Hope for the best but expect the worst.
SECOND UPDATE:
Still no contact from Clocktower. I get the distinct impression that the initial response to my review was just window-​dressing, and that they have no interest in pursuing any feedback or resolution. CAVEAT EMPTOR!
THIRD UPDATE:
Finally spoke with the property manager. Very nice. She indicated that the collection should be cleared, with a zero balance. What a relief. So glad that Clocktower was amenable in this regard.

So first off, it’s an apartment complex. this is not a single family dwelling, nor is it a small 4-​plex, we’re talking about hundreds of units. That means you’re going to have noisy neighbors and yappy dogs — if you come to terms with that BEFORE moving in you may have the right mindset to write a somewhat unbiased review.
PROS
Gated
Pet Friendly
For the most part, friendly staff
Choice of covered or uncovered parking
Convenient payment methods for rent
In unit W/​D
Location — North Seattle, plenty to do and only 15 min to downtown
All maintenance requests I’ve had have been handled promptly
CONS
Rent is probably a little on the high side
Area is a little sketch but we’ve had no issues in 3 mo.
All in all it’s been a decent place to live and a reasonable drive to wherever we’ve wanted to go. The neighborhood is not the nicest, but it’s far from being the worst. The staff has for the most part been friendly and accommodating and we’ve had no issues with neighbors. Actually to the contrary everyone we’ve met has been friendly … yes there are people that drive in with their music blaring, yes people can take advantage of the way utilities are charged, yes the staff has different personalities and not everyone one of them may be compatible with your snooty expectations, but we’ve had no issues and I would not have a problem recommending Clocktower to people I know.
The End

It looks like a really good deal. Good square footage, business center, pool, workout room, security gate. BUT frequent roof leaks that go unrepaired, business center only open during office hours because otherwise ppl steal the equipment. Somebody stole the TV from the workout room. Security gate — don’t even know where to start. Often broken, no safety catch (car can get damaged), not enough protection to prevent frequent car and or bicycle thefts from on the premises. And though the building call box worked (after being out of order for almost a year) — the front gate call box did not and probably never will. They’re too cheap to replace it.
Plus they charge utilities with this formula where the divide group utilities using Sq ft x number of residents *on the lease*. So ppl live there off the lease which makes everybody else pay more. And the off lease residents don’t get keys, so they’re always blocking the security doors on the building open. Which means they’re not secure. A fellow resident found evidence of an attempted break-​in on her interior 4^th floor door.
And the «seasonal pool» — count on a couple of weeks because when something breaks it takes weeks for them to fix it.
And then there’s the management. A revolving door of usually not-​too-​bright managers who are totally unconcerned with housing law and civil rights law. If there’s a good one, she’s gone within months. The crappy ones last longer because they follow the TX management company’s illegal practices. And hoo-​boy, they lie. To your face. Not knowing how stupid they sound.
Plus constant «annual inspections». Like every two months they’re inspecting something. Most intrusive place I’ve ever lived.
And residents throw their garbage wherever.
And don’t count on getting your deposit back, either. On yeah, constantly raising the rent too. Moved out and am much happier for doing so.

I have lived here for almost 3 months.
First, for the bad, I’ll be guided by David M.‘s review.
1) Rent is rent; Seattle is expensive. This place might be on the upper end of average, especially considering the surrounding neighborhood. It just looks soooo depressing around here. Having rent go up over 10% per year does seem a little steep; I’ve not been here that long yet.
2) Parking does suck; the «fully covered» spaces are under the buildings and are limited by the support pillars for the building. The space is very tight.
3) While I do not have a pet, I understand the idea behind «pet rent.» Pets add to the wear and tear of an apartment («accidents,» smells, embedded hair and dirt, smells, etc.).
4) The garbage/​recycling: the trash compactor is located in an area where its sound could be very disturbing. I would ask the management to try and schedule that differently.
It is surprising how quickly recycling piles up!!!
5) Apartment residents run the spectrum. I have noticed people entering the parking lot late at night with their radio blaring. Being considerate, unfortunately, is not something management can ascertain from an application.
In my case, my next-​door neighbor played his TV very loudly. I left a polite note on his/​her door and I have not heard it since. (I checked my own normal TV settings from outside my apartment door just to be sure I wasn’t being offensive.) The neighbor upstairs would go out onto his deck after 10PM, smoke and yell into his phone in loud speaker-​phone mode or run his wash machine or vacuum at 11PM. The smoke would come wafting into my apartment. This went on for several nights until I decided to leave a note on his door. He has never done these things again.
It would be nice if the management would send out an etiquette note — don’t blare your radio, etc. — and put some teeth behind it (three complaints and you are evicted or fined). I may suggest that.
6) Security. The building’s security keeps some riff-​raff out I’m sure. But, it is so easily circumvented by tailgating in. It seems to be well lit and seems to be safe. But, it will not prevent somebody who wants to get in from getting in. The call box on the building works (though is less than flexible and won’t support numbers outside of 206 area code). I understand the front walk-​in gate box might be non-​working.
7) NOISE! my issue. My apartment is located near the front and away from the trash compactor noise. The gate to the parking lot closes after 6PM and opens around 6AM. It was serviced recently but it is still REALLY NOISY! And, it operates often and continuously through the night. Between the gate and inconsiderate people blaring their radios, I will need something to manage noise. I may get a room AC.
On top of that, this is commercially zoned; there is a tow-​truck company across the way that has trucks coming in and out at ALL hours. For a while, at all and any hours, trucks would come in and sit for 30 or 40 minutes just idling those diesel motors making a disturbing racket. One day, I walked over to let them know; never happened again.
Now, the Good:
1) The rental office (and management) have been VERY VERY accommodating. They overlooked my special situation and really came through. There were some initial SNAFUs to be sure but they were quickly corrected. I can not say enough good about the building management staff.
2) The apartment was amazingly clean and in good shape when I moved in. The place is under new management and it is clear from the repairs that were made that their policy is to take care of things.
When I got to see the specific apartment into which I was moving in, I noticed the cable wall plate was cracked and had a TCI label on it — a company long since having sold out. One of their maintenance crew was painting and being careful about it! The carpet was a little run down. Upon asking the staff if the carpet was to be replaced, they looked up the records and said it was not due (they have a 5-​year life). A day later, she called me back and said she went up to look and that it did, indeed, need replacing and they were going to do that. The cracked cable wall plate was replaced when I moved in.
The appliances had recently been updated and were all really clean. The dishwasher was a little small (I can not fit tall glasses in the upper rack) but it works well.
3) Repairs. I have reported three issues (the thermostat did not work at all — it was alway on or always off, wash machine stopped working, and the double-​pain windows seal broke and were foggy. Each time, their staff was timely in checking things out. They reset the washer and replaced the thermostat — both now work. To my surprise, after the check of my windows, they told me that they were getting the window company to come and check them out. They were replaced yesterday.
4) Water pressure is great! Each unit has its own water heater. Hot! :)
I’m happy.

Worst service I’ve ever had.
They’re leasing office never answers the phone.
They’re never prepared.
They don’t even know what they’re doing.

So it’s been over 6 months since I moved out so it’s about time to give a review of this whole. To break it down bullet point style:
1) Rent. Every, and I mean EVERY time your lease is up, they jack up your rent alittle under $ 100. When I moved in initially to a one bedroom apartment (~680 sq feet), it was a bit under $ 900/​mo. Fast forward 2.5 years when I moved out, I was paying $ 1,300+ in rent. For the same rent, I now live in a 1000+ sq foot apartment, 2 bedroom, with an awesome view of Lake Washington. And I’m literally less than a mile away. They’re owned by a Corporation in Texas which I assume has no idea what’s going on in Seattle.
2) Parking. It is what it is. Spots are tiny, and you get what you pay for.
3) Pets. They charge «pet rent». Seriously. Rent for pets. ‘Nuff said.
4) Garbage/​recycling. Their trash compactor is located in the middle of the parking lot, so when they’re setting that thing off (especially early in the morning and late at night), the sound echos in a such a manner, I’m pretty sure every apartment can hear it. Recycling is more of an issue for the residents. I constantly saw people literally just throwing their bags of recycling AT the containers.
5) The Residents. Not held accountable for being what I can only define of as sub-​human.
6) Security. The buildings are secure both through a gate as well as the buildings are locked. This is okay EXCEPT, if you say, order a pizza, you usually have to meet the guy at the gate because 1) no call box to get the guy through the gate and 2) you’re probably not going to have your apartment set up in the call system. I lived there a total of almost 5 years, and in that entire time, my apartment number was NEVER set up in the call box system. So literally everytime I had visitors, if they weren’t able to ninja into the parking lot/​building, I would have to walk down and meet them.
I initially lived here for a year and moved only to come back. The first time I lived there, it was (I believe) locally owned and was run by a couple of nice old ladies. Now it’s just a sh*tty place to live that is run by a company that will jack up your rent the instant they can legally do so.
If you’re thinking of living here, I would SERIOUSLY recommending looking elsewhere. You can literally rent a small house further out for the same amount of rent you can get a 1 bedroom matchbox with these people.

The walls are far too thin. I have my bedroom setup in the dinning room so I can get a quite night sleep. The drunk neighbor argues with himself every night about 1:00 to 4:00. Don’t dare shout for him to shut up, he will spend the next 20mins apologizing through the wall before he starts up his rant again.

Pros:
— Good floor plan, decent rates, and gated community makes up for rather sub-​par neighborhood.
Cons:
— RACIST. This one particular leasing manager, Katie-​Marie, freaked out when my neighbor (a foreign exchange student), brought in a friend to help with translating her rent renewal. She was so threatened by seeing a man of color being able to eloquently articulate himself that she asked the friend to leave as she deemed it illegal for him to be there to help translate for the poor girl who was obviously being taken advantage of for her less than fluent English.
I was so shocked, I decided to survey a around my neighbors, and though my sample size is small (only a handful), I did notice my neighbors who were minorities tended to pay higher rent when all of them were single folks with no pets who are usually expected to be charged lower rates in other places. I hope the racist agenda is Allworth it.
ClockTower/​Westwood Apartment seriously needs to provide some diversity education for their staff.
— Ignorant and Uneducated office staff. Every question is responded with, «I’ll speak to regional and call you back», and you won’t get a response for months. If you drop in to say «hi», they’ll freak out and ask you to leave the office.

Have lived here for a year and now moving on. Found the apartments to be really good. The appliances are excellent. I have lived here in a one bedroom apartment in building «B». The neighborhood is not that great but this is a gated safe community so never saw any kind of trouble. The bus stop is not that far and have alot of options for UW or downtown. The manager (Lisa) is really nice and so is her assistant. The maintenance guys are really good and courteous too. Have read a couple of reviews about problems in moving out, well I am scheduled to move on the 30^th of this month so hopefully will not face such an issue myself. Overall have enjoyed living here. Wanted to move a month earlier because of a really nice deal that I was getting in Wedgewood but they didnt allow me to break the lease and they had every right to do that so will not blame them for that. I have used their exercise room and swimming pool too and found them to be good too. Overall its a really nice place to live and I am happy with the management too. Hopefully it stays the same when I move out :-)

I’ve just moved out after 6 years of living there. I’ve been meaning to move because of the neighborhood (google map the address and see photos) but hate moving so kept postponing. The company that owns the building is based in Texas and the staff at the Clocktower has had some turnover in the past couple of years. The current staff are great but we’ve had some idiots in there before. The building is nice by itself but is in a terrible neighborhood. Tagging has reached an all time high recently. Management tends to advertise this building like its some luxury apartment complex and don’t take into consideration the surrounding area that has prostitution and gang activity. The rents are ok but considering the immediate neighborhood they are a bit high, they use comps from a mile away which is a much better neighborhood. My friends never wanted to visit me because of the neighborhood. The apartments are spacious and modern and maintence is prompt with repairs if needed. If you can stand living in a ghetto, this is an oasis in the middle of a s***hole.