Brizo Luxury Apartments Reviews
Brizo Luxury Apartments located in 1108 Merrion Ave, Durham, North Carolina 27703, United States there are many issues and complaints with this community/location, scroll down to the reviews section to see the true reviews for this location
Contact Information for Brizo Luxury Apartments
1108 Merrion Ave, Durham, North Carolina 27703, United States
Phone Number
Website URL
www.livebrizo.com
Year Built
2019
Total Units
260
Location
Detailed Information for Brizo Luxury Apartments
Exercise extreme caution when considering properties listed by the horrible company “AIR Communities” on rental platforms. While their promotional visuals might appear enticing, prospective tenants should be forewarned of a multitude of hidden fees. Beyond the baseline rent, there are significant charges for amenities such as parking, water, and mail services, which often require an additional subscription. The following are crucial observations derived from reviews by past tenants across multiple platforms. It is imperative that you review these insights meticulously to avoid potential regrettable experiences.
Here is 15 reasons why you SHOULD NOT! consider moving into Locust On The Park Apartments:
- Upcharging Fees: Residents report unexpected fee increases, such as being charged to park at their own apartment complex.
- Thin Walls: Reports of noise pollution from neighbors due to thin walls, affecting the quiet enjoyment of the living space.
- Inadequate Cleaning: New tenants have experienced move-in to unclean apartments, with management deflecting responsibility.
- Unfulfilled Legacy Lease Agreements: New management has been accused of not honoring previously established lease terms.
- Poor Communication: Management has been described as unresponsive to emails and inquiries from tenants.
- Inconsistent Policies: Reports of inconsistencies in policies, particularly regarding move-out expectations and charges.
- Lack of Accountability: Management has been accused of passing responsibilities, such as apartment cleanliness, onto tenants.
- Unreliable Maintenance: Issues with maintenance such as elevator failures, power outages, and low water pressure have been reported.
- Trash Management: Complaints about improper placement of trash bins and the cleanliness of common areas.
- Unsatisfactory Problem Resolution: Management has been described as unhelpful in resolving disputes over charges and apartment conditions.
- Unannounced Management Changes: Transition to new management was not effectively communicated to tenants.
- Deceptive Advertising: Accusations of the management valuing business and advertisement over tenant satisfaction.
- Lack of Recycle Bins: Removal of recycle bins from upper floors has caused inconvenience for residents.
- Unreliable Customer Service: Potential new tenants have found it difficult to get information and schedule tours.
- Excessive Noise Early Morning: Complaints about early morning trash collection noise disturbing residents.
Reported Hazards for Brizo Luxury Apartments
Dog Poop
External Links for Brizo Luxury Apartments
Our website exposes the deceptive practices of AIR Communities. We link to external reviews on Google Reviews, Yelp, etc. but caution against trusting 5-star ratings. Many are the result of incentives for positive feedback, not genuine tenant experiences. We advise focusing on reviews of 3 stars or below for a real picture of these properties. Beware of manipulated ratings and seek the truth in the more critical, honest feedback
Reviews for Brizo Luxury Apartments
I've been trying to get more info on the studios, but it has been very hard. I've contacted the place multiple times and I've visited the place, but no one is able to give me proper information on the studio. I understand that there is a current issue with the pandemic, but the very least they could do is to schedule an appointment at another time for me to get a tour ( even if it's virtual) It felt like I was the one pushing to sign a lease with this place. I gave up and I will be looking at other places
Don't rent here: poor management, dishonest and exploitative fees We lived in two different units in Brizo apartments since they first opened several years ago and had a great experience. However, ownership changed to Air communities a few months ago and our opinion has completely soured. We needed to relocate and ended our lease at Brizo, and had plenty of communication with management about move-out expectations. New tenants are now required to pay for professional cleaning when they move out. Since we were legacy tenants, this wasn't in our lease contract and didn't apply to us. We got written confirmation from management they understood this. During move out we did the normal cleaning: clean baseboards, vacuum, clean and bleach bathrooms, etc. Despite leaving the place spotless we got a $125 charge for professional cleaning. What was their reasoning? We didn't move the oven out from the wall to dust behind it. We also didn't sterilize the place (still not sure what that means-- Bleaching? UV light?). Neither of these are normal things a tenant would be responsible for, and weren't communicated to us. We re-sent them the email where they confirmed they understood we weren't required to get professional cleaners and they didn't reply. To add insult to injury, we were charged over $600 in damages. Ok, one bedroom had to be patched where a curtain rod was hung, but surely painting that spot doesn't cost that much? Nope, it's over $600 for total repainting of the unit. They sent over pictures in two rooms that had faded paint where fabric furniture sat to justify that cost. I've attached the photos Brizo took of all the "damages" they think justify this charge. Yes, that's all of it. That's what $600 looks like apparently. This apartment is painted with the standard cheap gray rental paint you could brush off the wall by looking at it wrong. Every source we can find classifies faded paint from furniture as "normal wear and tear" and shouldn't be considered damages. Per The North Carolina Real Estate Commission's Q&A brochure on tenant's security deposits: "Ordinarily, costs for routine cleaning and maintenance (painting, carpet cleaning, etc.) may not be deducted from your security deposit. However, if you leave the property so filthy that unusual or extraordinary measures are necessary to clean or restore the premises, the landlord may deduct the cost of such cleaning from your security deposit." We had a long back-and forth about this to both management and their customer service hotline and were told Brizo won't budge on either the cleaning or damages charges, and were reminded how important it was we paid our balance quickly. So in total: we left our unit clean and move-in ready as we were required to do, but management doesn't know normal leasing practices, doesn't uphold legacy lease contracts, and will rely on your fear of getting a hit on your credit to make a quick buck. Don't rent here.
Today, I had an appt for an in person tour, booked by Clint (who was very accommodating and confirmed the tour options prior to booking). When I arrived, there was a sign that said the office was closed, but that they offered virtual tours, self guided tours and in person tours (appt only). I stood outside with a mask on in 96 degrees waiting for my appt as their team just watched. Eventually someone came to do the door and said that they were not allowed to do in person tours (despite what I was told by corporate and the sign outside of their front door). I was then provided with a sticky note with an apartment to find. It's safe to say I won't be leasing here, there are plenty other apartments with better customer service. Once I arrived at those other complexes and told them about my experience, I was told I wasn't the only one that had that terrible encounter. And in fact that they have been doing in person tours. The apartments are very small, especially for the price.
Edit: a new management company took over last year and the entire move out process was SO painful. Before we left we started to get emails about the increases in prices and changes to the pet policy. Pretty unfortunate considering the team that managed it before were so great. I moved into Brizo last month and everyone has been so friendly. The community is so sweet and super friendly towards dogs. The apartments themselves are super nice and well laid out which creates a nice space when you're decorating it. Another thing I love is we are only 5 minutes from a Wal-Mart and only 10 from Target and other shopping areas.
DO NOT RECOMMEND Scheduled a tour (which requires paying a fee no less?) two weeks in advance and Brizo confirmed not just once or twice, but four different times via email. We drove all the way over for our 3pm "agent-led tour" yesterday, got there at 2:45, and the office wasn't even open. For 30 minutes we stood outside in the pouring freezing rain waiting for an agent who never showed up. Called the office several times, no answer. Emailed Brizo explaining what happened and never even got a response, much less an apology.
I have lived here for a while and since they got new management they have completely done numerous changes that have impacted the residents. Upcharging fees because they now want to charge you $30 to park at your OWN complex. They took away the valet trash and installed keypad / keyless entry which is not the safest option for resident women in this area. Quite frankly if I could break my lease I would but unfortunately you have to pay them back for all the months left either way. So I am stuck.
Original Review from August 2020: I've only just moved in but Tabitha and Laurel in the leasing office have been fantastic to work with, and have made the move-in process for my partner and I easier than ever. They've been very accommodating considering an inter-state move during a global pandemic. The community and apartments here are gorgeous and it's been effortless to get settled in. Edit from August 2021: After a year into the lease, one can't help but be a little disappointed. Fire alarms keep going off, the pool keeps getting closed, and lightbulbs burn out all the time. This all kicked in just weeks after we renewed our lease for a second year. The coincidence can't be helped but it's unpleasant knowing our rent was increased in exchange for a sudden drop in the quality of living here. In fairness, the main office has been very communicativethroughout all this, especially in regard to the proper use of the trash chutes, how to pick up pet waste, and the community's smoking policies.
Someone who lives at Brizo has a black mustang with an unbelievably loud exhaust. It's extremely irritating and management refuses to do anything about it. Don't move here unless you're okay with hearing this mess all hours of the day and night - it's totally ruining my experience at this community.
This place is worse than my dive of an apartment in med school. The management is rude and unresponsive, this is not a community that upholds standards. Do not move here if you have a disability, do not move here if you have an autoimmune disorder, or if you cannot do steps. And Susan, there's a difference between compliance and recounting my experience. But please feel free to continue making assessments for me. While living here in the last few months, I've had to call the paramedics, the cops on numerous occasions, the fire marshal, etc. and by the way, the above paragraph does not say you are not ADA compliant. You do know there's more than one piece of legislation that protects and ensures the safety of those who have physical disabilities.
Nice apartments in a decent location. New management (Air Communities) has made recent changes here that have negatively affected the community and upset many residents. Management's response to their recent negative reviews about parking is LAME. " To address our roll out of our new Pick Your Parking program, residents are not being forced to pay for parking. The ability to upgrade to a dedicated space that is yours and yours alone is 100% optional as stated in the email that was sent out to all residents earlier this week. Residents who do not wish to pay for parking can remain on the open parking option free of charge." -Air Communities Rep If this "program" were to be something that residents supported, then there would be more participants. Almost nobody is paying for these exclusive spots. I'd say 80% plus are vacant. Now I'm sure they'll refute this, but it's the truth. And the people getting towed are their own residents. LAME. To anyone considering renting under this management, don't be surprised if they make changes to the community that make the experience something much different than what you signed up for. Under the previous management, I'd give this place 4-5 stars. Sad. They should call it the "Pick Your Pocket Program" instead, it would be more honest of them.
On wednesday I came to tour this apartment complex. Everything about it seems beautiful. The area feels safe and the amenities are really nice. However when i went in for my tour of the apartment the person I met with at the front was not friendly at all. When i introduced myself and told him i was there for a tour he did not even look up from his computer at me. My sister and I looked at each other like maybe he didn't hear me? he abruptly told us to sit and basically jumped into telling me they didn't have a spot available for me in my time frame I was looking to move. I told him what my budget was and he made it seem like I could not afford that. I had to ask if I could still do the tour I came for. He gave me this feeling like well we don't have the time frame and you don't look like you can afford it anyways so have a good day. Not sure if they just don't have a lot of hispanic or latino people in this community and didn't want me there or he just genuinely believed i couldn't afford to live there. Either way i will not be choosing this as my new place to live simply from that experience. If he behaved like that off first interaction i have absolutely no hope they would do anything for me if I ever needed something while living there. Right next door is Hawthorne Apartments. They are just as beautiful and the woman at the front is so kind and genuine I would much rather live in a place where management is not pushing people away based on prejudice perspectives.
There is a guy with a black Mustang revving his car up at two in the morning. The exhaust is so loud! Management will not do anything about it , but he is waking up people every night.
Moved into a room that had not been cleaned. Hair, dirt, random fluids and grime all over shower/toilet/sink. My bedroom window was caked with dirt that to this day I haven't been fully able to scrub off. Holes all over my walls. Room had not been repainted. My emails to the complex regarding this situation went complete unanswered. When I was able to get someone on the phone I was told this was the previous tenant's responsibility to clean, not the office's. The only effort made to rectify the situation was offering me a sample of paint (as long as I brought my own container and brushes) so I could cover up those patches myself. Pictures below are from the day I moved in, after I had already scrubbed urine stains and fecal matter off the top of the toilet seat.
Beware any time they say "exciting" changes are coming it will usually cost money. First it's the keyless locks, now it's $30 a month for parking that was once free. The $30 is optional but now parking is a nightmare because all the free spaces are taken. Way to create a problem that was non existent. Also to call something "exciting" that will incur additional charges is so tone deaf. Then there's zero communication between maintenance and vendors. I was told the HVAC vendor would come to my apartment first thing the following morning but he never showed. When he finally did it was two days later and late in the afternoon. Turns out he had taken the previous day off. I don't have a problem with when he showed, but it's the lack of communication and speaking on things as if they have authority to control outside vendors that's frustrating. I waited all day and could have been doing other things. Then ended up having to have my thermostat replaced but was given the wrong one because they didn't know which model is used by my complex. Just lacking basic communication that ends up being a headache for the resident. Also be prepared to call the office multiple times before someone finally answers, but they do answer emails in a timely manner for the most part. Lex is great - whenever I speak to her she gets things done immediately. I like living here but this latest parking nonsense is beyond asinine.
Enjoyed living here until management has changed. Parking is now $30 per month if you want to park near your building. If you choose to opt out of this option, parking is farther away when it was completely free before. Valet trash is now gone also. Regarding safety, it is overall safe here but cars have been broken into at this complex numerous times.
When we moved in, Alex from the previous management company was very friendly, helpful, and accommodating. That was the biggest plus. However, noise pollution is pretty bad here. We constantly heard loud footsteps from upstairs. Trash collection also comes at 5:30am. It's super loud and wakes us up every time!! Also, new management decided to take away recycle bins at upper floors so we are forced to bring recycle down to level 1.
Unfortunately Brizo is the home of a fast and furious wannabe. Person in a black mustang has an illegal exhaust that is so loud it sounds like a bomb going off when he starts the car. Comes and goes at all hours of the night revving the engine really loudly for no reason and is constantly waking everyone up. You would think as much money as it cost to live here you wouldn't have to deal with this kind of immaturity and foolishness. Management said there's nothing they can do about it. Other than that, I love my apartment. Grounds are kept really clean. Lex is amazing and went out of her way to help me when I was moving in. I had an issue with the shower and maintenance fixed it within a couple of hours. Wish I could give this place five stars but if you're looking for somewhere with peace and quiet, you're not going to find it here.
I moved here about two months ago and I absolutely love it. They have great amenities and the staff are very friendly. Update: I am removing a few stars due to the change of management. I really enjoyed the staff from Bell Partners. I'm not sure why Air Communities took over. Since they took over they have added a lot of unnecessary fees. For example we had really nice parking until they changed it so that you have to pay $30 to park close to your building. It's now hard to find a parking spot if you don't get home by a decent hour. They also said they are raising our utilities bill on our next lease renewal (not sure why) AND they cut their hours so that they're closed on Sundays and Mondays (Bell Partners staff was in office 7 days a week). At this point it just looks like they are looking for more ways to squeeze more money out us..like we have money to waste.
I have lived here since Dec 2019 and my experience thus far has been subpar. There are so many minor things the Brizo community could do to make the "luxury lifestyle" better for residents. Pros - Great Amenities - Fast response time from management - New Apartments (I was the first person to live in my unit) - Great job having a variety of different food trucks Cons (This May seem like a lot but could easily be fixed) - The closet door to my unit is built on backwards. I have to go in my closet and close the door just to get to the light switch. I told the previous management about this and they said nothing could be done. - The transition to Bell Partner Management could've been better. Instead of sending an introductory email to the residents the first thing they sent was how they were moving the recycling bins to the first floor. - The elevator in building 5 has stopped working numerous times, the power stopped working a few times, and the water pressure was low one time. - The maintenance guy that rolls out the trash bins for them to be picked up sometimes places the trash bin in a parking spot instead of the designated spot for the trash bins. - Some residents including myself are cautious parking next to the designated spot for the trash bins because sometimes there is leftover glass left on the ground. - We have to pay an insect and trash fee but the hallways are not the cleanest for building 5. I shouldn't have to see multiple spider webs on fixtures, dead bugs, fallen social distancing signs, and leaves everywhere.
I lived at Brizo for almost two years.The staff are just amazing i have zero complaints on the staff.Maintenance team are always topnotch.Unlike other rental properties they don't charge you anything extra like hidden fees and stuff.Amenities are really awesome.The only concern i had was their clubhouse is part of residential building so if you increase the volume in theater the neighbor who is above the theater would complain.Apart from that minor issue there is absolutely nothing about Brizo to complain honestly.
Great apartments, nice staff and in a new and safe neighborhood. Unfortunately, the walls here are super thin - thin to the point where we can hear our upstairs neighbors having normal conversations. If the walls weren't so hollow, Brizo would definitely deserve 5 stars. However, because of this fundamental problem, the living conditions are not that great for us. It may be listed as luxury apartments, but these apartments are the same as most all others - built super fast and cheaply made. Would recommend if noise doesn't bother you, but otherwise, look for a top floor apartment or look else where.
The neighborhood and the apartments are beautiful, very beautiful grounds and awesome maintenance workers. unfortunately I hear my upstairs neighbors' bed squeak all the time (me and my young daughter) , a heavy walking/running/ bumping dog, loud music, and they walk extremely heavy. Management just asks you to give the nice neighbors and Their pet time to improve.. meanwhile, it would costs extra money to break your lease.id recommend this apartment if u are on the highest floor, but those under you may suffer. No need reaching out to management, they will email u basically asking u to be patient, then just start ignoring your emails about noise complaints . There are trash chutes on every floor,but now that there is valet trash only on Sunday through Thursday evenings..instead of using the trash chutes on your floor, u have to take it to the bottom floor trash chutes Friday thru Saturday. No large trash is allowed, you will have take large trash to a dump. Beautiful apartments, great area for sure, but not the best apartments for blocking out noises that affect your daily quality of life
Pros: -I think the complex is fine and I have no complaints about my own apartment. -It is what I expected it would be. -I have not explored much of the facilities due to COVID, so I cannot speak about the gym, pool, or movie viewing room. Cons: -I have never been contacted by them so much as when they sent emails requesting that I rate them on Google over and over again. -When initially trying to move in I had significant trouble speaking to someone that knew what to do. I often instead was transfered to some call center that is not near the apartment even within normal business hours. -Their website is poorly designed and difficult to use at first. All this comes across to me that they don't value me as a person as much as they value my business and my ability to give them free advertisement on Google.
Community Team