Ryan S.
Google
Deleted my previous review as it's been two years, and there are still significant concerns that need to be detailed for potential tenants.
The first year I lived here, everything was great; however, the second it came time to renew my lease, everything went to hell. The lease renewal offer was a $700 increase for a one bedroom with a balcony. When I questioned the management about this, I was informed that there are market reasons for this, except that's a hard pill to swallow when the building accidentally posts my unit on their website for the exact price I was previously paying. I had yet to inform them I would not be renewing my lease, but they decided to tip their hand and post it prematurely. The significant rent increases during this time period are part of a lawsuit by the Attorney General for DC against JBG Smith and other property management companies.
When I moved out, I was hit with a $100 cleaning fee and told that it was required since I did not turn in a cleaning receipt. I told them that this is nowhere in the lease and was never communicated at any point. They admitted this error and refused to remove the charge, threatening collections if not paid, and withheld my security deposit. After three months of repeatedly emailing the Property Manager with no response (picture attached, including the one where it shot back because they changed email addresses without notice), a complaint was filed with the DC Housing Authority, and only then was the illegally added fee removed and my deposit returned (with interest).
This should have been the end of it, but low and behold during the proceedings for the deposit return, it was discovered that 1205 Collections does not have a Certificate of Occupancy. Not only is it illegal to increase rent without one, but it's illegal to even rent without it when you have as many tenants as this building has.
This was two years ago, and the build STILL HAS NOT ACQUIRED A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY!
This can be checked here on the DC Open Data website.
How this building has not been shutdown is beyond my comprehension, especially when it's so centrally located yet does not have the required permits. The Bullpen has it. 1221 Vans has it. Christ, even newer apartments still under construction within the area have it. But somehow, the management here has failed to acquire it.
Additionally, the building does not have a business license. Residents in the building do, which is hilarious, but the management does not.
If you read through all this and still think this is the place to be, God speed. For everyone else, like my previous review said...run as far away from this place as you humanly can.