Apartment Reviews for Elm Creek Apartments - Champlin

Pros:
*I have not had too much of a noise complaint since we moved in about 6 months ago, aside from the boyfriend beating his girlfriend below us, and they were evicted the next day with a domestic dispute charge.
*Two of the buildings (ours is one) are getting brand new countertops in the kitchen and bathroom supposedly, and i also heard a rumor we're getting new appliances too? I won't keep my hopes up.
*During the non-winter months, the grounds are kept pretty clean and trimmed minus the occasional piece of dog poo outside 11827 because people are too lazy to pick up their dog's poo.
*The maintenence guy has trouble with his english a little, but he's been pleasant with us and fixed what we needed.

Cons:
*New General Mgr. who also runs 2 other properties, so she's hardly EVER in the office.
*New Asst. Mgr. who is not helpful. I dont bother calling in anymore as messages NEVER get returned, but usually get what I need if I stop in. Asked for some e-mail which she was going to e-mail me that day... and didn't get it for a month. stopped in and requested it again... still dont have it. /sigh
*Safety: Controlled Entry = LIES!!! There is always a bleeping coin stuck in every lock because most people are too lazy to give their kids a key or people who are going to have a party leave it open so people can just walk up... but I have to un-jam it a minimum of once a day.
*Parking: Seniority residents (time lived there, not physical age) get garage spots, which i understand. The rest get a permit to park in the lot. If needed to be plowed, there is normally a 24-hr. notice, with the exception of this latest plow on 2-2-2011 where the notice just said "tomorrow" on it... so 5 cars got towed wrongfully. $170.00 to get it out plus a $25.00 overnight fee.
*ALSO Parking: if you get a permit for a lot space... your permit NEVER EVER EVER gets checked... EVER. So anyone who wants to park there can. I still put mine up, but i maybe only ever see 2-3 permits per lot up in the cars.
*When we moved in, there were a berjillion bugs on the floor... dead... under where the heater was. Something my 1-yr old would ahve enjoyed shoving in his mouth had i not found it. Yay. There were also white paint splotces on the carpet from when they repainted the ceiling. There was crayon on the bathroom floor, carvings in the wooden frame around bathroom door, and the person before us LOVED their red wine, and it was noticeable before moving furniture over it to cover since the shampoo people couldn't take it out. Also cleaned the bathroom drain shortly after moving in to find about 1/8 cup of hair clumps and nasty goo from the previous tenant they failed to clean out. Boards under kitchen sink are severely bowed. Freezer still has extreme ice build up every couple weeks.

**Overall, The office staff is pretty much poo and if you want anything, you'll have to go in and talk to them directly. Even then don't expect a response immediately. As far as safety, I feel safe in my apartment because of the low crime in champlin and because the police station is 2 driveways down... NOT because the buildings are "secured" (and when i say "secured" i mean not so much at all). The aprking does not really bother me at all. despite some reviews, I would say they are prompt to plow after any significant snow fall (more than 2-3 inches), or is there is a build up of snow (a few days of the 2-3 inch snows). Additionally, proper notice is given to move cars before plowing, except for this last time. If you have a permit, it really doesnt matter as they never check them... EVER, so it does make it nice to have guests over once in a while. The grounds are typically nice. Maintenance does their job when they get to you, which has been in a reasonable amount of time for us. Unit needs a more careful, thorough cleaning once a resident moves out, in my opinion. And finally, i dont have too much of a noise complaint.

Would i recommend to a friend? Probably not... but I would say that if you have to have a place to go, this is the "safest" and most reasonably priced apartment in the metro area from my studies. Also one of the only complexes WITHOUT a rodent/bug problem!