The Flats Exchange on Erwin Apartments, durham-nc

I would not recommend this apartment complex to anyone. 1. Cleanliness: several residents leave their trash cans in the hallway at all times, (see attached photo). Next, the lobby trash bin frequently overflows, attracting gnats and flies (see attached photo). 2. Safety: the front security gate is frequently broken and remains open 24/7 for weeks to months at a time. For example, it has been open and nonfunctional every day for the last 4 months of our lease, and maintenance has actually used bungee cords to keep the gate open (see attached photo). Additionally, the majority of the streetlights are out, which leaves the area unlit and contributes to the unsafe feeling (there are 1.5 functional streetlights, the bulbs are out in the remainder of the lights around the complex). Our car was broken into during our time here. When this was brought to the leasing office, they stated they believed people were accessing the property by hopping a fence along one side that backs up to another complex. However, when asked what steps would be taken to address this, there was no clear plan or solution. They acknowledged multiple residents had reported break ins, however there was no communication sent to residents to increase awareness or encourage precautions such as ensuring vehicles were locked. This remains unresolved and unaddressed almost six months later. Rather than prioritizing basic resident safety by repairing the gate, replacing the burned-out streetlights, or addressing repeated vehicle break-ins, management appears more focused on installing “self-checkout markets” to generate additional revenue (see attached photo). 3. Management: communication is inconsistent, often ignored, and sometimes rude. First, the above concerns regarding cleanliness and security were relayed to the management Listserv via email and never followed up on or addressed. Next, communication from the office regarding “mandatory maintenance” was often relayed the day before (after 5PM) via a note on the door, which does not allow enough time to make arrangements for pets given the short notice. This is especially frustrating, as not being able to make arrangements for pets to be offsite means either locking pets in the bathroom for the entire day or receiving a lease violation and fine. Lastly, the leasing office staff member we were working with regarding lease renewal left their position mid discussion and did not relay the conversation to other staff members. This required us to restart the process entirely and reflects a lack of organization and professionalism. 4. Maintenance: maintenance is very slow to respond. The most glaring example is a maintenance request for the washing machine. The machine filled with water, but did not move forward with the washing cycle and would not drain. A maintenance request was placed online, however it was not addressed for over 48 hours. The eventual solution was replacement of the unit, but this did not occur until approximately two weeks later after multiple temporary “fixes” failed. During this time, we had to use a washing machine in another unit two floors above ours, which was inconvenient and completely avoidable with more timely, permanent resolution. Overall, there is just a general lack of appropriate upkeep and maintenance around the complex. The landscaping is overgrown in multiple spots, the common areas and our unit needs to be repainted, and the majority of the streetlights are out. Taken together, these issues create the impression that management is far more reactive than proactive and that resident concerns are simply not a priority. I know this review is lengthy, but I wanted to provide multiple examples (with photos) and context to hopefully dissuade at least one person from contacting this complex and dealing with similar issues. There are better options in the area with comparable location that will undoubtedly provide a significantly better overall living experience.

I really appreciate Azamat for helping me fix my smoke alarm this afternoon! It had been beeping constantly, and he was very helpful, professional, and efficient. He quickly resolved the issue. Thank you so much for the great service!

Azamat responded quickly to my maintenance request and did an excellent job replacing my washer and dryer. He was very professional, efficient, and clearly knew what he was doing. The whole process was smooth, and he made sure everything was properly installed and working before leaving. I really appreciate his prompt response and attention to detail, great maintenance support for the apartment. Highly recommend!

I highly recommend the Flats Exchange on Erwin Apartments. Every aspect of the living experience has exceeded my expectations: community areas are comfortable and spotless, valet trash services are very convenient, and management and staff are reliable and responsive. Twice, I submitted work orders on my resident portal (to unclog my garbage disposal and replace the lightbulb in my refrigerator), and both requests were fulfilled within 12 hours! Before touring the apartment complex in-person, I was concerned by some negative reviews. After my in-person tour, and now having lived here myself, I must say that I have never experienced any of the issues mentioned online. I only have glowing reviews!

Azamat is the best! Leaving this review purely because of how great he has been when responding to our maintenance requests. He is always prompt, professional, and goes the extra mile to make sure everything is working properly in our apartment. So grateful that Azamat works here!