A.R.C. The Pines Mobile Home Community American Residential Communities DO NOT RENT FROM THIS COMPANY - HOMES ARE NEGLECTED, IN DISREPAIR AND UNSAFE Ladson, South Carolina

We moved into the park mid January, signing a 12 month lease for a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom mobile home.  When we looked at the home before signing the lease, we were told that everything that needed fixing would be taken care of, and that the home would be professionally cleaned and painted.  Upon receiving our keys we went to check out our new home, and, to our dismay, nothing that was promised had been done, except for the large pieces of trash removed and the kitchen faucet replaced.

We immediately contacted the office manager, telling her of all the issues that still existed, including the fact that the place was filthy.  She insisted that the carpets had been cleaned and that a professional cleaning crew was there.  As for the other issues, she put the blame on the maintenance manager and said he was supposed to address all of the issues.  A couple of days later, the manager came over to do a "walk through" inspection, and make a list of all of the existing problems.  We gave her our list, and she said she was going to write up a work order to have the issues corrected.

Well, one month later, we still have not had all of the issues corrected and new problems have reared their ugly head.  Also, since we moved in, corporate came in and fired the property and maintenance managers.  We actually met with the district manager one day, and again we were prmoised that everything would be taken care of.  However, we have been lied to, put off and ignored, and treated as if we were stupid. 

Some of the more major issues are as follows:  faulty hot water tank, non working a/c unit, water damaged walls and ceiling, moldy wall studs, moldy drywall, holes in the floor boards, a huge hole in the bottom or "belly" board, leaking pipes, cochroaches, ants, faulty electrical outlets, leaking windows and roof vents, plumbing problems, and much, much more.

We got tired of being put off and waiting for things to get fixed right (or fixed at all), so we have made quite a few repairs ourselves.  But, one thing after another breaks, and the place is just a giant money pit.  To make matters work, we have a crazy neighbor leaving threatening notes on our vehicle, saying we wake the whole neighborhood when we leave in the morning.  We have told the office about this problem as well, and they choose to ignore it.  At this point, we are going to contact a lawyer and see if we can get out of our lease legally.

Save yourself a lot of heartache, and do not rent from ARC.  The appeal of renting a home instead of an apartment might seem like a good idea, but it just isn't worth it.  Especially when you get a $300 electric bill because the place is so drafty, and that's with the heat set at 65 degrees or off completely over the past month.