Apartment Review for Intracoastal Yacht Club

The security is very poor. Last year, some hoodlums sexually harassed and attempted to assault my girlfriend in front of the valet stand. When I contacted security and the valets, their response was maybe she wanted it. The valets also refused to cooperate with police (probably because some of them where illegal aliens -- point of fact). <P>
Doors come with one weak lock. Despite having a gatehouse, security often lets people through unannounced. The main gate rarely functions properly and residents only get one trigger pad, even if they have more cars. There are a good number of drug dealers, strippers, and illegal aliens renting these apartments. <P>
To EXIT the pool area, you need a special coded fob, which often does not work. In the event of an emergency, it is easy to be trapped there on the 5th floor with no means of escape. With the fob, I have been locked out and at the mercy of passersby to be rescued too many times. There is no way to contact security from there after the gym closes. The gym staff is also unhelpful. <P>
Noise can be ridiculous. The floors and ceilings are thin and raggaeton can be heard late at night and early in the morning. People put their dogs on the balcony and let them bark all night. The design of the buildings creates quite an echo. Don't count on security to do anything. <P>
The staff lies. They do not enforce the pet policy. They do not enforce the legal occupancy limits either. Most units do not have a garbage disposal. They say it's against code, but it's not. Two bedroom/ three bedroom apartments only get one parking space. The additional parking spaces, if available aren't cheep. Guests must valet their cars and rates run about $8 a day. That gets annoying fast. <P>
In addition, the concierge will not sign for your registered mail and the postmen make no attempt to deliver it. Journeys to the post office in the ghetto are a regular fiasco. The apartment staff will return packages not claimed in two weeks, even if you let them know you are away for business and they agree to hold them. <P>
Build quality is very poor. The drive is not to code and regular vehicles can bottom-out on the ramp to building 1. Emergency vehicles cannot access building 1. Elevators rarely work and it often takes a 15 minute wait. The inside of the elevators are also regularly vandalized by children (of Third World families). <P>
The pool and hot tub are regularly filthy as the rules are not enforced about age limits and residents from Third World countries put their unpotty-trained children in the water. <P>
The carpets are not laid correctly and walls are not finished flat. Residents who choose to renew will not get fresh carpeting, even after flooding caused by poor plumbing, or no matter how many years occupancy you have. Fixtures and appliances are bottom rung. Toilets are third rate and the internal hardware often needs to be replaced due to failure. The plastic internals failed once when I was away on business and it earned me a $140 water bill. There is no garbage disposal and the oven is NOT self-cleaning. The smoke alarms go off at the slightest hint of steam. <P>
There is a PA system in each apartment and pointless announcements in Spanish and sometimes even Creole come blaring in. Even with pest control, silver fish and other insects invade my spotless apartment. The air quality due to poor materials is also suspect. Even with three air purifiers and 3M 1200 Filtrete, the apartment can feel quite stuffy. The water is dependant upon the electrical system, so when power fails, so does water. <P>
The utilities are monopolized by the landlord. You cannot have satellite dishes. Satellite TV is sold at a hefty premium and cable is offered exclusively from a strange company that only serves the complex. The cable is actually resold satellite TV and so it goes down every time it rains. The basic cable package is more then a normal package from Dish Network would run you. <P>
Water is also resold through the building and even if you mail your payment the same day you receive the bill, it might arrive late (so they can tack on fees). They will not send the bill to a person or address other than the main signer of the lease agreement. <P>
The rent is out of control, but there are not many options on the North end of the beach. Thanks to drug money and tax evaders, Miami real estate is blown way out of reality. <P>