College and Crown Apartments, new-haven-ct

My experience with property manager Melissa Lillo and the new management team has been deeply disappointing. Throughout my move-out and subletting process, I encountered repeated miscommunication and inconsistent information at every stage. Regarding the deposit, I was first instructed to collect a deposit check from the incoming tenant, then told they had changed their policy — they would transfer my deposit directly and no longer needed the new tenant's deposit. This reversal came after I had already obtained the check from the incoming tenant while they were abroad. The income verification requirements for the incoming tenant were also inconsistent, wasting significant time for both parties. My deposit was ultimately returned via a prepaid card with no prior notice or explanation. Because I was never informed this was how the refund would be issued, the email requesting my personal information to process the refund appeared to be a phishing scam. I only realized it was legitimate when the physical card arrived in the mail. On a separate occasion, Ms. Lillo called me in to wait outside her office, only to realize she had contacted the wrong person entirely. Throughout all of this, I remained respectful and patient, which makes the persistent miscommunication and lack of basic professionalism all the more frustrating. I have dealt with many property managers over the years and have never encountered this level of disorganization and miscommunication. I also want to flag a serious safety concern: during last winter's heavy snowfall, the rooftop caused significant leaks across multiple units. My room experienced only minor leakage — I consider myself fortunate. For a residential building, this is an unacceptable maintenance and safety failure. I would strongly advise anyone at this property to get every commitment in writing, as verbal assurances appear to carry little weight with the current management team.

We were looking for housing for our daughter, and Mille was incredibly helpful throughout the entire process. As very protective parents, finding the right place was important to us, and Mille made us feel comfortable from the beginning. She was patient, answered our questions, and helped make what could have been a stressful experience feel much easier. We truly appreciated her support and professionalism and would recommend working with her to anyone looking for housing.

I’ve had a great experience living at The Haven for the past two years. It’s an amazing facility with well-maintained spaces, a comfortable atmosphere, and everything you need for convenient city living. The location is truly unbeatable, right in the heart of downtown New Haven, with easy access to restaurants, shops, and Yale University. A special appreciation to Melissa, who is an excellent property manager. She is professional, responsive, and always willing to help, which makes a real difference in the overall experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a quality place to live in New Haven.

This apartment is UNBEARABLY NOISY if you aren’t facing the courtyard. At night, I am often unable to fall asleep until after 4am because of the constant assault - cars park outside and blast music, bars are playing even after closing, etc. The staff unabashedly lied to me about the noise during the tour. I have lived in multiple downtown apartments next to college bars so I am used to some noise, but never dreamed of anything as bad as this. This year has been very painful because I am constantly sleep-deprived and suffering. I had a package stolen and the front office didn’t bother to do anything. They told me they would check the security cameras but then ghosted me. I have also seen mice/rats in the building (see attached photo).

I moved into College and Crown Apartments in January and immediately felt at home. The apartments themselves are well-designed and make great use of space. The amenities are a true selling point, with two courtyards (including one open to dogs!), a large fitness room, a beautiful community room that is FREE to rent for gatherings, on-site maintenance, secure mail room, and a parking garage. But what I fell in love with was the sense of community! The staff hosts regular social events where I met many of my neighbors who have now become friends. The staff take advantage of EVERY possible holiday, including National Chocolate Cake Day!, to bring treats and cheer to the lobby and residents. The cleaning staff keep the hallways and common spaces spotless. My only complaint is that I am now spoiled and will have trouble finding another place like this again!