Terrace Oak Apartments

Terrace oaks was our choice for temporary living when we moved to the area. After doing some research it seemed to be an average place that would do for the next 6 months. My fiancé and I are both nurses and have a very good income. We also have an excellent rental history. We applied and was approved with a $900 deposit, equal to one month rent, not out of the ordinary. We signed the initial deposit agreement with the holding fee and app fee, total $180. we were scheduled to move in one week later on a Friday. The day before we moved in they requested a copy of past three months pay stubs, mind you, we had already been approved. The pay stubs were provided as requested. During the 6 hour drive to our new residence, we received a call from the management saying that, on further review, they would need to double the deposit to $1800. The only logic we made was that, after seeing our income, they felt they could get more money from us. According to California real estate laws, the max deposit that can be asked for is twice the monthly rent. It was legal but extreme. We had no choice but to comply.
En route, with a fully loaded pickup and trailer, we encountered heavy rains and winds, often rendering visibility to under 20 feet, slowing us down greatly, this coupled with heavy city traffic from the storms. We called 3 hours earlier and advised them that there is a delay, With no compulsion, we were told that they close at 5p Friday. According to the GPS we would be there at appx 4:30. we called at intervals to advise that we would be there but was still in traffic. In each call, we got the impression that they didn't want to do our paperwork today and wanted to go home. We arrived at 20 min before closing to find the office closed up and locked. Gone early for the day. This cemented the bad vibe we had been getting from them. Over dinner at a local restaurant we decided to write off our security deposit and find another Apartment to live in. We were told it was a gated community and to be charged $50 per gate key (we need 2) and I often pass the facility and see the main gait open all the time. Another method to get more money from you. Even if the deposits are returned, the facility is making money off your interest.
In summary, I feel the management is untrustworthy and devoid of good business ethics. If this is occurring so soon in the pending lease, I feel that there would be further abuse of managements authority. I strongly advise you to look elsewhere for residency, there are numerous properties in the area that are comparably priced.