CHARLOTTE, N.C.–After moving into the Ashford Green Apartments in the University Area, Fostoria Pierson says she has filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau and State Attorney General’s Office following multiple maintenance requests she says were ignored. “From the moment I moved in, I have been having problems,” said Pierson.
Pierson says she gathered more than two hundred signatures on a petition with the help of two other residents who say they have also been treated poorly. “I never felt disrespected like that by somebody in a professional environment,” said Jessica Johnson.
Tara Eastridge says she was bitten by bed bugs, “I’m still continually getting bit.” Jordan Upchurch says he has been battling cockroaches and rodents. “The bug guys have constantly came and sprayed,” he said, “It’s like it’s not helping.” And Christopher DiMarco says he’s the victim of a “bait and switch” on an upgrade agreement, and was also forced to pay mysterious fees on his monthly bills: “I’m just tired of it. I would rather just be able to live here, and live my life, and deal with the things I need to deal with on a day to day basis.”
Stories of frustration from the group of ten residents we gathered together. Some of their concerns are shared on a Twitter account aimed at the parent company that owns the complex, The Connor Group. Ashford Green receives an “F rating” from the Better Business Bureau. The BBB says it’s not accredited after failing to respond to complaints that Pierson says are all too familiar, “They’re supposed to provide us with a safe, inhabitable apartment, and they’re not doing that,” she said.
The Connor Group says they filter their BBB complaints through their corporate office in Ohio. However, the BBB in Charlotte says they don’t have a notation of that in their file. The Connor Group says they are in the process of changing that, and will work with residents on a case-by-case basis.
They say they’ve spent more than $425 thousand in improvements, including payment solutions, upgraded interiors, and pest control since they purchased the property last year.
