Review for Chelsea Court Apartments

When I first moved in (not sight unseen, that's just idiotic), everything seemed okay. There was the normal damage / items to list on the inspection that I've come to expect in Houston (hard water stains in the tub, etc).

The first time it rained, though, was another subject entirely. My SECOND FLOOR balcony flooded due to the inept cleaning / maintenance of the gutters and shoddy construction. This problem is STILL NOT FIXED TWO YEARS LATER.

The office staff is nice enough (if you are nice & relatively patient when dealing with them), but they change so often that getting to know any of them is nigh impossible, to say nothing of having them know you. The complex is so large that the only time they see most of the tenants is on rent day.

I have also had numerous problems with odd smells (a dead rat was decomposing in my attic, and my kitchen disposal smells all the time even though I use several products to get rid of it). The countertops, although newly painted shortly after my move-in, are badly painted (the paint comes off on any object I leave on the counter for more than a couple days). The shelving internal to the cabinets is unfinished (e.g. unpainted / unvarnished), the painting on the apartment is slipshod and not done well.

There are no light fixtures in any rooms. I don't just mean ceiling fans. I mean NO LIGHT FIXTURES. The AC unit is situated on top of the bathroom (standard for Houston), which means that when my downstairs neighbors (who've changed 8 times since I moved in) run their AC, my entire bathroom shakes.

Crime is a real problem in this community as well. It seems as though I'm constantly receiving notice of another break-in, mugging or other crime. An 11-year old girl was even beaten, raped, and left for dead in dumpster, although management never said a thing about this one.

I had to write several letters regarding security at my end of the building (the same building as the office) before they finally replaced the security bulbs (although they did shortly afterward install a security light so bright I had to buy curtains to sleep).

If you live near either gate, you will be awakened many times a night by the pounding bass of the cars that drive in and out all night long. The quality of the average tenant leaves much to be desired, as well.

In short, if you desperately need a place to live, or are looking for something for six months or less, this might be an option for you. This property has the Bond program which allows under-employed persons or those with low-paying jobs to get some sort of housing. This of course contributes to the quality of tenants as well.

Lived here two years, can't wait to leave. Check out Camden Crossing / Camden West Oaks, or any of the upscale properties around. The Retreat at Eldridge is a decent place, and newer construction. Good luck in your search.