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| - My story is long, but one that must be shared with the small community of Champaign-Urbana. Be warned, because the same thing could happen to you or someone you love! Do not move to Gramercy Park Apartments in Champaign, Illinois!! Even if it's the last place in town that you can! It is a trap, and you will regret it for the rest of your life.
To begin, this place has got to be 50 or more years old. It should be demolished, without question, entirely. It needs so much work, yet, the only money they put into it is fixing the office where their employees work. None of the amenities are ever an option. Nothing ever works.
In addition to just poor non- existent amenities that they clearly list online and when you visit, their office staff is a joke. I'm not blaming this personally on the office staff that work in the office; but, instead on the upper management at Gramercy Park and their Property Management company, Herman & Kittle.
While I lived at Gramercy Park, the leasing management changed, literally, a dozen times. One leasing manager being fired after the next. The office staff, and leasing agents changed even more frequently; literally, every week. I have never seen such a turnover rate in my life. It became so bad with upper management, that at one point, the maintenance manager, Jacob, took on the task of being both maintenance manager, and property manager. One of the worst business decisions possible, in my opinion.
This is not a personal shot. But Jacob simply didn't have the experience or skills needed to manage a complex of Gramercy Park's capacity. As a result, and with the frequent job changes in management and the frequent turn-over in leasing agents, their record keeping became non-existent. Their entire office was riddled with chaos and confusion.
As a tenant, for two years, I paid my rent, on time, usually early, every month of my lease. To my surprise one day, however, I woke to a forcible detainer lawsuit on my door. No calls, no warning. Just a lawsuit. Apparently, because of poor book-keeping in office, someone lost one of my receipts or money orders. They claimed I hadn't paid May 2016's rent, but were filing for this eviction in November 2016. Sound absurd? It gets worse.
Get this: I initially signed a 12-month lease with Gramercy Park apartments in June of 2015. I renewed my lease in June of 2016 for another 12 months. A Forcible Entry and Detainer lawsuit was filed in November of 2016 for rent that was owed for May 2016. Now read that again. If rent was past due in May of 2016, why would I have been able to renew my lease in June of 2016, let alone, make it until November of that year when finally, they decided it was time to take me to court. What kind of business practice is this?
Ultimately, I had to take the time to pursue legal representation and fight this bogus case in court hearings. All the while, fearing I would lose the place I had paid to live for over a year. Fortunately however, Gramercy Park did lose that lawsuit, and both parties agreed to dismiss the case without prejudice. As a result, I was able to return to my apartment for the remainder of my lease. This is where I thought this would all end. But it didn't.
Fast forward to June 2017, when my lease finally ends. I couldn't have been happier to finally part ways with Gramercy Park. So, I gave them my 30-day notice, moved out of the apartment on the last day of my lease, and turned the keys into the office the same day I left.
Shortly after, I signed a year lease in a beautiful community in Las Vegas, passing the credit check and rental report perfectly, as I have done for many years. No deposit as usual, no cosigner. I moved in, without any issues.
A few months later - August 2018 - another Forcible Entry and Detainer lawsuit followed. Gramercy, claimed this time, that I didn't give them notice to vacate, and that I didn't turn my keys in. Wow. It was instantly dismissed by the judge, but again, without prejudice, giving them the chance to bring back evidence.
I have rented apartments and houses for 11 years, with 100% positive rental history. I have always paid my rent on time, and I have always vacated the premises when the lease was over. Gramercy Park's business practices have cost me my rental record and the ability to easily rent apartments in the future. While I didn't lose any money from any lawsuit, and though I didn't ever get evicted, when I apply for apartments now, it comes up on my rental record and renters deem me as a risk.
I write all of this, to warn any future renters. BE VERY VERY AWARE! Gramercy Park has fraudulent and phony business practices. They will take you to court for bogus lawsuits in an attempt for financial gain and to maliciously destroy your rental record.
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