Hollyoak

Ms DC

This is a beautiful facility and I loved my apartment. The upkeep and maintenance is ok except for the gates which were left open to traffic too many times. It was a huge concern of mine given the higher crime area around this community. Over time, second summer I was there, the pool was not in my opinion properly maintained to a point I stopped using it. However, most of my concerns are with the manager. She can be very friendly and nice but she is quick to become defensive, unprofessional and just right down mean and nasty. I lived there for nearly 2 years and always dreaded when I had to be near the office, pay my rent or get my mail, etc. I complained, had a meeting with her supervisor and contacted their corporate office, Blazer Real Estate, and got no where with my complaints and issues with this manager. While easier to talk to, I believe her area supervisor protects her. I have lived in may communities through out my life all over the country from California to New Jersey and have never complained about a manager. I understand their position because I was a manager in retail for over 25 years. You have to have good people skills. She does not know how to solve problems, and becomes combative when faced with grievances/issues. She hangs up on you, storms out of the office or yells at you. She is difficult to deal with when legitimate issues needs to be resolved. In my professional opinion, Blazer needs to give her more extensive PR training or replace her. Blazer surly does not want to be associated with this kind of management and mistreatment of their guests/tenants. If Blazer management doesn’t believe this, take an anonymous survey. I only recommend this community to people because the apartments are beautiful and to those that can either tolerate the unprofessional abuse or stay away from her.

This and that

I am sorry to have to write this because I don't like to criticize. Holly Oak is a fairly new place, and is still in very good shape. But, how pretty it is doesn't make up for some of the short comings. It seems a little suspicious about so many good reviews; it makes me wonder if they are really residents here because they all kind of say the same things. 1. No night security, and gates sometimes broken. No night management. 2. Gym, computer center, gathering room only open weekdays business hours, no weekends. 3. The hot water isn't very hot. We don't have control in our own apartments, and many times it won't even melt butter from a knife. 4. The flowers don't seem too well cared for except out front. I think the lawn people don't really know how to take care of them. Poor plants. 5. Maintenance and housekeeping people come and go. I think I've counted half a dozen different maintenance guys over my stay here. Why the big turn around? 6. I can guess about number five. One guy told me the manager didn't like certain people, but that's just hearsay, I guess. He also said that management won't order repair parts to try and save money. He had to scavenge parts from empty apartments or other properties. 7. About the manager...wow! I don't think many here like her at all. She's hard to deal with, a bit dismissive and short tempered. I think she hates to be wrong or disagreed with. 8. It feels like the residents here aren't trusted to act like adults. Like we haven't had advanced education, businesses, successful families. Maybe because the place is rent assisted and a couple of feeble residents have been dumped here by their families that the rest of us are treated like we're all feebleminded. 9. The hallway floors have stains and tracks of some disturbing stuff that doesn't come off even with pressure washing. 10. There's a lovely pond that would be beautiful to sit by, but the main gate to it is locked. Handicapped people cannot enjoy the scenery. 11. I've never seen a bug spray technician around, and certainly not one in my apartment. 12. Very limited activities, even when there's no gathering restrictions. Be very careful about your living choices. Discern well between the comments from others.

vwgeetie

The complex is pretty, but management is not very responsive. It's a small place compared to the large complexes on two sides. There are homes on one side, and the Addicks reservoir is the backyard. This area flooded during Harvey because of the reservoir, but I've heard it said that Hollyoak (built afterwards) is built higher than the properties surrounding it, so maybe it won't happen again. Already, after less than two years open, many tenants have already moved out due to issues with management & safety concerns. The gates are often stuck open. There is no overnight security, and mgmt. is not available after business hours. I've made only two complaints since I've been here, with no result. One was about the common facilities. Residents don't have access to the common facilities after business hours. The gym, business center, amenity center (all public spaces) are locked up once the office staff leaves. So, if you work or are otherwise occupied until 5:00, but still like to work out, this isn't the place for you. There are very strict policies about (the limited) parking and overnight guests. While that is a plus for the most part for the security here, several people have been angered by having their car towed or those of their guests. Residents must have permission to have guests overnight, otherwise no guests after 9 p.m. The activities for residents are sparse, and usually sponsored by a company that does a sales pitch before the activity. There are occasional cookouts/luncheons, and there was a very nice "wrapping center" for Christmas gifts free for everyone's use. The pool isn't heated, so there's a limited window to swim. It's also only three feet deep. If you plan to tour Hollyoak, ask lots of questions, ask for the activities calendar, and speak to residents if you come across some, and get the answers in writing. There are good points and not-so-good ones here. I live on the quiet side of the building, facing the reservoir, but the street side can be a bit chaotic. You get charged for so many things here. A large pet deposit up front, and you'll only get half of it back when leaving (unless they want to hold more). You pay monthly additional rent for each pet you have ($10 each). They charge to replace light bulbs and air filters. The floors are plank vinyl...which looks great, but scratches and dulls incredibly easy. The breezeways are a bit noisy...conversation and footsteps are readily heard. I've lived in Hollyoak since May 2019. It seems that management interprets the rules capriciously, Website and posted office hours include weekends and half-day Sunday. We were told that the common facilities (gym, amenity/business centers) were to be open during bus. hours (only), then suddenly, the office and common facilities were closed on weekends. There seems to be a rotating roster of staff: the maintenance person (one) and office assistant. The manager has been here since opening and many residents have had run-ins with her. I've had too many run-ins with the manager to go into. Suffice it to say that the simplest things create conflict, e.g., adding another lessee, and renewing lease for a 2nd year. These simple things could not be accomplished without rancorous exchanges from mgmt. I would have moved out after the first year except for extenuating circumstances.

Justina

My friend has moved into Hollyoak. The staff members are fine. It is an active senior community. The layout is small and well thought-out. There are three floors, and it is in a quiet residential area. So far, so good.