I arrived in Madison on Friday after completing an exhausting assignment in Iowa. With only the weekend to settle in before starting my work assignment on Monday, I was eager to get acclimated. Upon meeting the property manager, I did a quick tour of the unit and received the keys. However, I immediately noticed a strong, unpleasant animal odor after the tour. The smell was so overpowering that it gave me a headache, so I opened all the windows in an attempt to air out the unit.
When I removed the bedsheets to replace them with my own, I discovered two large urine stains on the mattress. This prompted me to inspect the unit more thoroughly, and what I found was deeply concerning. There was urine on the sofa, large cobwebs stretching from the bedroom to the living/dining area, and numerous dead gnats and flies on the windowsill. It was evident the space had not been mopped or vacuumed. Shockingly, I even found dog feces under the bed frame. Additionally, there were issues with the heating prior to my arrival.
To be fair, the property manager and landlord were prompt and responsive to my concerns. The furnitures were immediately removed and replaced, and cleaners were scheduled at the earliest possible date. However, despite the removal of the furnitures, the lingering animal dander continued to be an issue.
While I appreciate the responsiveness of the management, I am frustrated that the unit was not move-in ready or thoroughly cleaned prior to my arrival. Cleaners were not available until Monday, so I had to spend my weekend doing basic cleaning just to make the space somewhat tolerable. This experience fell far short of my expectations for a rental property.
The unit includes a single parking space behind the building, with additional street parking available. If you are parking on the street, be sure to obtain a residential parking permit from the city. The location is convenientjust a 7-10 minute drive to Meriter Hospitalwithin walking distance of coffee shops, restaurants, breweries, grocery stores, and trails.
However, my stay was far from peaceful due to inconsiderate tenants who failed to dispose of their trash properly and frequently slamming their doors in apparent disputes with other tenants. The constant door-slamming made it difficult to sleep.
Additionally, the unit lacks basic cleaning supplies such as a vacuum, broom, or mop. Youll also need to bring your own kitchen knife and kitchen towels.
On the plus side, the in-building washer and dryer are app-operated and easy to use.
This is my personal experience, but I strongly encourage you to rent at your own discretion. While the management was responsive to my concerns, the unit was far from move-in ready. The lingering issues, such as strong odors, poor initial cleanliness, and other maintenance concerns, made the experience frustrating and well below my expectations for a rental property.
