The Donaldson Group Review

It s has been truly disheartening to know that since Covid -19 this company has done NOTHING to help its residents, we are on almost month 5 of the amenities being shut down but we still have to pay for them with rent monthly. Ive been out of work since march because of Covid and it looks like I ll be out until September.. it sad that there is little to no relief for residents like me who need help and can t get it. I ve reached out to the heads of the company a few times asking if we could get any Covid relief and nothing. Every maintenance issue I ve had I ve fixed myself (except my ac) because nobody ever came to fix it. My lease is up in December and I will not renew for what I pay here I will be renting a house with more space and privacy.

Moved here 11/20/20 on I love the property but the MICE I can not deal with!!!! I have literally caught 2/3 mice a week, I don t know what else to do I let extermination in every Wednesday to spray n put down glue traps but that s literally no help! What else must I do Anyone who knows me knows my house is WELL KEPT, no crumbs no where, so what r they looking for?

This is the worst company to rent from. I live at Lorring Park and they are the most unorganized, unprofessional, rude, and disrespectful group I have ever rented from. They don't fix things in a timely manner; they don't give you enough notice when major projects are going to be done in your building or when people are going to be coming for inspections. My lease is up in September and I have no intentions on renewing.

Wish there was a spot for 0 stars. I live in Glendale Apartments. I contacted the Donaldson Group because my complaints are not being heard by the staff at Glendale. Donaldson Group never returned any of my messages. A complete disaster. Stay away from this company and any of their properties.

What aggravates me the most about this property management group is that they do not keep records of rental history for tenants. In other words if your apartment complex switches from the Donaldson group to "whomever", which happened to me. You move and someone calls for a rental history, its almost as if you've never lived there. Weird huh? I thought maybe if I callcorporate they would be able to help, the lady I spoke with her name was I believe Carolyn, helped as much as she could but said they do not have those records on file.

My roommates and I move into a Donaldson Property tomorrow and were LIED TO by a Donaldson Group leasing agent. We were told we were signing for a top floor apartment with brand new carpets. After 2 weeks of pestering to see the apartment, we got to see it the night before move-in. The apartment is NEITHER top floor and has old, ratty carpets. The management attempted our agent messed up but claims they have no method of resolution. We are preparing for the worst year of renting.
Stay away from the Donaldson Group. They do not ACT IN GOOD FAITH and lie to prospective residents to get them to sign a lease. I wish we had documented our described apartment, we'd have some proof if we go to court.

I ABSOLUTELY hate living here. I moved in September 7th 2017 and have called the leasing office repeated about the toilet needing to be fixed. They have been to my apartment 4 times for this and I sill have the problem. They said this apartment was move in ready, yet the carpet has stains everywhere, cigarette burns in the carpet in one of the bedrooms. The carpet was just cleaned when we toured it and since it s had time to dry; all the stains are coming through. It s horrible. Yet the leasing agent said it was new. There was liners left in the cabinets and marks on them that I had to clean. There is stinch, smelly water left in the dishwasher and maintenance has yet to look at that. The grounds are always full of trash and debris. Shopping carts, mattresses and all types of furniture around the dumpster areas. I could go on and on. ITS HORRIBLE HERE, I cannot wait to move.

The property manager of this apartment is out to smoke, which have the time, but never have the time for you stay the hell away, please the Donaldson group needs to sustain a reality check all my good neighbors moved out I'm next. This property is specifically designed to disprove between neighbors and building, helpfulness toward the court before your lease is up for renewal that is up 16 to 34%

I must say that living here for me has been great for the most part. I have had a few issues, one is with the head maintenance guy Harold. He acts as if what ever needs to be done here is coming out of his pocket. I need some work done in my apartment and called it in over 2 weeks ago and still have not gotten them done. Now when the other guys come they do the work make sure I'm happy and will do a follow up to make sure that the problem was fixed. NOT MR> HAROLD he don't know how to talk to people, he have a bad attitude and I would rather for him not to step foot in my home.
Now the rental crew, Assist Manager Taysha and Jordan are great I would love to work side by side with then love them dearly. Armando works maintenance guy love him as well he's great. I don't like to bad mouth others but if you cant do your job Mr. Harold please retire!!

It's difficult to rate TDG. There's nothing special about anything the company does. Rent is high for the amenities provided. TDG flat out refused to update ANYTHING, but the rent continued to increase. Not impressed. Overall, TDG is, at best, a 3.

That being said, the DIAMOND in the rough for TDG is Nicole Avera. The 5 stars are ONLY for Nicole Avera.
Until 9.26.2020, she was the property manager for Brinkley Manor (BM) Apartments in Temple Hills, MD. I've been through 7 property managers (PM) at BM. The ONLY ones who had a clue as to how to manage a property, how to make renters feel that we matter, who actually cared about the property, were Christie, Tiffany, and Nicole (Christie and Tiffay are not TDG employees). Nicole greeted everyone and every day with a smile. She was gracious enough to provide assistance during a rough patch in my life. When Covid-19 broke out, she offered assistance to each resident. When I heard she was leaving, I begged her to just put me in her luggage and take me with her. I MEANT IT. Heck, I'm STILL bugging her. I dont know of any other complexes she's managed, but I truly believe she made a difference in the lives of the residents. Whatever complex she manages next, congratulations...you've hit the jackpot.

I ve tried everything possible to communicate with corporate and the employees at Andrew Ridge Apartments in Suitland, MD. I ve called and left several messages for weeks and still no returned call as of today from corporate. I have continue to constantly contact the rental after leaving messages. When I m able to get a hold of someone in the office their only response is did you contact corporate. Lack of communication with the staff and it looks like some of the staff is not aware of their company s policy when leasing a new apartment home. Everyday I call I m asked to leave a message as if I didn t leave a message yesterday. I left messages for the regional Director Michelle Fox and the Vice President and still no answer. My advice to anyone looking please stay away if you re looking to rent a new home from Donaldson Group. I wasn t looking to rent put I was helping my sons out on their first apartment. I must say I m so glad my sons didn t move into Andrew Ridge apartment. I can t deal with deal with Unprofessional/rude individuals. I really wish I didn t have to give a star to leave a review.

Gm my name is george dakis and I live in one if your properties Andrew's ridge Iove my apartment but I'm having some problems i went to the management office and told them that my washing machine was not working and they told me that they only have to maintenance men that should have nothing to do with the resident as of today june 24th it still has not been fixed I keep getting the run around I'm on the section eight program and i called them for an inspection and the maintenance supervisor told me that it is what it is I pay my rent on time every month and I feel I should not be treated this way as a resident could someone please look into this matter and get back to me i would really appreciate it the manager doesn't come out and speak to noobe I have lived here for too years and never experienced anything like this thank you for your cooperation in this matter any questions please dont hesitate to call me or email me

I have had the pleasure of working with Donaldson for over a decade, and could not be happier with their service and clear devotion to serving the needs of their tenants and owners with integrity and excellence. Highly recommend them!

I live at Plaza Towers and this place is bad. What pulls you are the rental amounts, closeness to the Metro, and the conveniences of the surrounding community. Forget all that - this place would get a negative 10,000 if I could give it. The management office is responsive to complaints and requests, but beyond that, they will begin to ignore you if the situation isn't resolved in their timing.
A month and a half after I moved in, a person from the maintenance staff opened the crawl space access in my bedroom to fix a leaky tub spout in my bathroom, and afterward, didn't seal the crawl space like he should have, and it caused our unit to be infested with cockroaches! They were everywhere! I have killed at least over 120 of those nasty things. We had to leave our apartment and stay at a hotel - it was soooooo bad. I have photos and video to prove it all. A major inconvenience. The management office was very responsive, but stopped responding after a time. I then contacted the main Donaldson Group office to speak with the regional manager for Plaza Towers, but am now being ignored - no one will return my calls or my emails. They don't even answer the phone. I am not even rude when I call and am not a problem tenant - I just want my situation addressed. I have never been in any situation like this before. I still see cockroaches in my unit. I am a clean person, so I'm not the reason those nasty things are in my unit. It's disgusting.
They are the worst. I have been a resident here for ONLY three months and I am about to break my lease and move. A very horrible, nasty community. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. READ AND OBEY. Don't do like I did and tune out the voices of those who have done this before you. You will be SORRY.
You have been warned. DO NOT DO ANY BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY and don't move to any of their properties!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Donaldson Group, LLC is a full service real estate management and investment company, which, along with its key affiliates, provides it's broad and diverse client-base with comprehensive services and expertise in:

* Property Management
* Asset Management
* Accounting and Financial Management
* Investment, Underwriting, and Acquisition Analysis
* Development and Construction Management

At The Donaldson Group the most important asset is our client. Through innovative solutions, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a broad range of real estate experience and expertise, we strive to provide our clients with superior management and advisory services. We continually seek the optimal client solution based on investment objectives, the market, and the asset. We are proud of our many successes in creating value for our partners and clients, in improving the communities in which we operate, and in maintaining the highest standards of personal and organizational integrity.

The Donaldson Group is an Accredited Management Organization (AMO), an accreditation from the Institute of Real Estate Managment (IREM) that recognizes excellence among real estate management firms and which has been earned by only 3% of management companies nationwide.

The Donaldson Group successfully manages everything from distressed properties that we are renovating to Class A urban high-rises, lease-ups and commercial and retail space.

The Donaldson Group's management portfolio experienced a 10.91% increase in Net Operating Income in the challenging 2008 market.

I lived at The Villas and I really enjoyed my time at this complex. The office girls, Brittany, Stephanie and Lesdy were really cool and always helped my family. If my job moves me back to the area I will come back to get another apartment.

I have been an employee with The Donaldson Group for a year. Watched my mother grow through the company for 12 years. It has been by far one of the best experiences of my life. Working along side a wonderful team of individuals who are about growth, compassion, excellence, ownership and many more values. Being an employee for TDG has allowed me to embark on skills I never thought I had. They actually care about their team, they recognize all the hard work and dedication we bring forward to the table, and by all means they inspire me to go above and beyond. The Donaldson Group bring out the best in me and I truly look forward to more years of expanding my expertise when it comes to the business of real estate.

I have experience dealing with several properties managed by The Donaldson Group. The staff is always extremely friendly and professional.

I am very proud to work for a company who not only displays their values but lives them as well in all that we do. Our values of Integrity, Compassion, Innovation, Adaptability, Ownership, Commitment, Excellence and Unity are not just what we do but they are who we are and keep us striving to be the best each and every day.

Mice rats and bed bugs....smh....im trying to move is to nasty plus they dont fix anything.....rays outside and now inside too. Plumbing problem also piss and poop comes up from the bathtubs if your on the first floor...no one should live like this someone need to call fox 5 news its just that bad

I am a resident at the Rolling Brook Village in Lakeridge VA and you have a wonderful staff down here. The events that are put on for the residents are wonderful and alot of commitment goes into these events from the staff. It really makes me as a resident feel like I am a person not just a number. They get to know you on a personal level and it is great. Best community I have ever lived in. Good Job to Julie, Wynelle and Chelsie.

The Glendale apartments are the worst apartment complex I have every lived in my life. I have encountered bug infestation and faulty plumbing which caused a flood of sewage in my bathroom and kitchen. The kitchen is still not fixed and no one seems to have a clue when it will be fixed. Now I have a foul odor in the kitchen. The Property manager claimed that she would have a cleaning crew in to clean kitchen and it's been 2 days and no one has come.
When you try and contact the office,no one will answer the phone and I have stood outside and watched them ignore calls.
Trust and believe if you're late on your rent,everyone affiliated with the complex will call and put letters on your door.
I would never recommend this complex to anyone and have contacted the board of health

I'm glad that I'm not the only person on here that has had the same trouble/ problems with this company. And I left a review about one of their complexes & I got the same response that I have seen here. "Oh we're sorry about the issues you have been dealing with & we would like to hear more about the situation so we can remedy the problem." And I sent the email like they requested & have yet to hear from anyone. And the rental office staff is just as bad. If you have a problem they want you to email them & let them know what the problem is. Biggest bunch of BS I've ever heard. And after sending numerous emails about the same problem, my wife called up to the rental office & was told to send an email & describe the problems & when she said that she's done that at least 3 times, she was basically told that, that's how it had to be done & was hung up on. I don't know how these people in these rental office still have jobs. And we aren't the only ones this has happened to because we have friends that live in the same complex & they have said the same thing. Just all around terrible customer service, if you can even call it that. I wish I could give negative stars because this place don't even deserve the one star that is the lowest you can leave.

This is such a fantastic company! Everyone I have had the pleasure of dealing with, from corporate to the property level, has been professional, friendly, and incredibly helpful.

I have been living at the Villas at Langley for 12 years and the new staff are great. Finally things are getting done in my apartment and everyone is doing a great job.

The most horrible office staff person Tessa. She rude and unprofessional. Needs to be fired immediately. I would not recommend this apartments because they employ someone who doesn't care about the tenants concerns. She rather get loud and throw paper at you.

I wish I could give this company a negative 1000. The property The Glendale is the worst my washer machine has not worked for 2 months and I have to continue to go outside to wash clothes, the staff is rude, I've contact the parent company Donaldson with no response, my mailbox was broken into and now after they "fixed" it you can use any key to open it. I can wait until my lease is up so I we can move

This is the worst company ever. Check out their BBB profile, you'll see they haven't even responded to 5 out of 7 complaints. I've had MANY issues with my apartment at Regency Pointe in District Heights, MD. The management staff AND the Donaldson Group don't even respond to calls/e-mails. They've still only fixed one out of SEVERAL issues with our apartment that wasn't even ready for us on our move-in day (where our address changed 3-4 times within 30 minutes). You should trust all of these bad reviews they have and DO NOT MOVE HERE unless you have no other choice.

***UPDATE***

If you call the county housing authority to file a complaint, then Regency Pointe will actually fix the issues you've been complaining about for 6-7 months. It worked for us! They actually treated for the bugs this time too but we're already starting to see some come back unfortunately. So far everything has been fixed except one item, which I was told will be taken care of shortly (and this time I actually believe it).

I've worked with Donaldson for almost 20 years throughout my career. They are a caring family-owned company that strives to provide the best experience possible for every person they interact with...whether you're a resident, employee or supplier partner you know you're in great hands. I value my relationship with Donaldson and their team!

the phoenix apartments in bladensburg is listed under this group as well. this place is beyond nasty. if it was easy for me to get up an move i would. the staff is unprofessional the washer an dryer inside is a joke. clothes do not get wash or dried properly. when something breaks it get fixed but them the problem occurs the very next day. the staff dont care about anything else. building 5802 should be knocked down the way it looks. i say all this to say do not waste your time an money with these people!!!!

I've had the pleasure of providing services to the Donaldson Group and their residents for several years. They are always pleasant, professional and easy to work with. Their dedication to their customers and service providers is admirable.

As someone who deals with Donaldson on a daily basis, they treat everyone with respect. I ve never have had a bad experience with any of the Donaldson teams.

I don't like the options to pay rent. I split the rent with my husband and should be able to split it between two cards as I have every other place we lived. I'm certainly not going to pay in cash either. If you're going to bother accepting online payments, there needs to be more flexibility.

I don t understand the business practices of this company at all smh idk how they are able to get away with the crooked stuff they do. DO NOT MOVE INTO A DONALDSON GROUP APARTMENT!!! Save your time, sanity, and MONEY

One of the most professional management teams I've met!

**CURRENT RESIDENT** ABORT!!!! Pay more somewhere else, move into Mom's basement, etc .. ANYTHING is better than The Enclave. I can only give this place 1 star because there is nowhere to give negative stars. The Staff is ... absolutely useless which wouldn't be so bad if they gave a darn. From Corporate all the way down to Maintenance. Work orders get submitted.. Maintenance MAY/May not enter your home (never leaving a note or ANYTHING), do NOTHING..then close the work order as complete. You call. They LIE to you saying it's fixed as if you don't live here. You may go an entire month or more with : leaks, mold, broken smoke detectors, pests, ALL the while they're telling you "oh Someone will be there" or "email us if it's not done" ..you email .. no one gets back to you and the NEXT time you go to the office to address it..they pass you off to someone else.
EVERYTIME I've gotten ANYTHING done after WEEKS of trying is because I've filed formal complaints with Montogomery County and asked for an inspector to review my claim. I get it..you need a cheap..no fuss place to stay but IF YOU CAN AVOID THIS PLACE...DO SO. I promise you will regret every second of living here. ABORT!!!

horrible horrible place!!! even more horrible people managing the place!!!

To who it may concern,Mr. Dennis Wade came to my home, very professional did a superb job, skills are excellent I would recommd him each time something go wrong in the home. Awesome job. Thankyou Mr. Wade.

Great company to work with! We work with several properties and they are pleasure partner with!

I believe the previous negative comments. Worst experience I've had in a long time. If I were you, take note of everything they say to you, who you're speaking with, and EVERYTHING they say to you or show you, and keep track of it in a manner that it could be proven -- because top management really tell lies and switch around what they told you in a way you couldn't otherwise prove they're making up these lies as they talk to you. I guarantee you'll find them discriminating at whim, and breaking leasing regulations, and you'll be able to show it clearly and be able to hold the accountable for these practices. They're probably not going to change to be more professional about their leasing practices. This is what I've learned just in the last 4 weeks of trying to rent an apartment at Plaza Towers which I was approved for and was constructively denied move-in by the staff because I asked them to clean the carpet which was filthy and stinking and stained -- they delayed and lied and delayed until they caused me to miss my move-out date at my current place, then wouldn't give me a new move-in date but were holding me off until they could get a new applicant on the apartment even though I was approved and paid my deposit.

Not only is The Glendale the worst place to live, trying to get ANYTHING from the property management office is a nightmare. And don't think that when you contact the corporate office they will care anymore, because they don't. I've never had such a horrible experience living somewhere, and the people who live here are nasty. The community always looks disgusting AND parking.....FORGET ABOUT IT. I have to pay $35 just to have a parking spot because if you get home too late you will not find one at all. I wish I could give them a negative because one star is too much for them. They lie all the time, they are nothing but a bunch of lying ass money hungry low lives. DON'T MOVE HERE, YOU WILL REGRET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wellington Woods Apartments...I am Writing on behalf of my friend. I had some bad experience living down there. The young men hanging outside all night wrote obscene language on my windows and broke off my tag holder. I kept getting sick from the mold on the ceiling in bedroom which triggered my asthma and i reported it to the office more than once time about the incident, they gonna tell me it wasnt a leak anywhere, so they painted over top of the mold. The apartment was infested with fleas and bedbugs. I want something done ASAP.....
I am gonna take it further if I do not get action done. My credit is screwed because of this infested building

I think this company is not 100% accurate with late rent policies. I have been informed from corporate & rental office on several occasions different feedback regarding late rent policy.

I would like to let the Phoenix management know how well the Sales representative by the name of Shawn, of the Donaldson group helped me today on March 10th 2020.My name is Rodney Kilgore and my Apt # is 114 bldg 5802.Shawn helped me tremendously, by answering all of my questions concerning my appartment lease.He also met all of my needs.He was very professional and right on point.(THANKS).

I had a bad experience with this new management, I live in the apartment for 3 years and I did not have any problems before but since this new manager Angelia Diggins got her position, she made mistakes with the residents accounts and many of us received letters with outstanding balances because she did not take care the residents accounts, plus when I went to the office for an explanation she almost took me out of the office, I never had a experience like that before, as a residents we have the right to complain for mistakes like that and she should be assume her mistakes and not treat tenants as a criminals!!!

Moved here from Florida... The team that was there was great until most recently. They made a lot of changes ... Wasn't for the best. I rent at Regency Pointe...Managed by this company. Let me say that they are criminals. Rent is due on the 1st , In PG county you have until the 5th to pay rent... By the 2nd of the month they are taking court action! They made these changes without notice. I have been resident that has never been late on rent. They have no respect or appreciation for good paying residents. Trust me they have been reported to the attorney general!!! The maintenance staff close out tickets with NO reason why and they fix NOTHING, and try to charge $50 for labor!!! DO NOT RENT HERE!!! This place and the office staff are absolute TRASH !!!!

I've lived in one of the Donaldson Group properties of 3 years. This is the worst experience in all of my apartment living. The Phoenix apartment staff is extremely unprofessional and when I've attempted daily for a 45 day period to reach the regional manager NOT one time has she returned a call or ever been available to speak with.

DO NOT MOVE TO ANYTHING THEY OWN OR OPERATE WORST MANAGEMENT COMPANY EVER. Do not go to Ashford of Woodlake in Silver spring, Md they change managers every 3 months and nothing ever gets fixed or repair

I currently live in the Enclave apartments in silver spring MD and I am happy with the location and the staff. The resident service associate Philippina is always helpful and friendly. She has very good customer service skill. She handled all my questions and maintenance requests in a professional manner.
My only issue is with the people who are outside of the office and taking phone calls. They are not knowledgeable about the residence. I recommend providing them with basic training so that they can answer some of resident s questions instead of relaying all customer questions to the office.

As we go into another Month it s absolutely insane that we are still begging,Requesting & screaming about our Extremely high move in deposit.. their Camden hills property manager Daniel was stealing as Linda,Meghan Kerlavage with Andrew Lawrence their Lawyer sat idly by & allowed it!! With that NO ONE IS RETURNING OUR CALLS/Emails etc but trust me you will all answer for this by (feds,Irs,FTC,Housing authorities Etc)We have an unfair illegal JUDGMENT yet they keep avoiding us PERIOD!!.. Class action suit ~ Email Me Thatgirlisnljd@gmail.com Tina ty

Where do I begin...my complex is Regency Square located in Glen Burnie, Md. Let's first start with the unprofessional, rude, and combative behaviour of the leasing office staff, specifically the Regional manager Aubrey Haskins. I have been a tenant for about 3 years and none of the residents issues or concerns have been addressed during my occupancy such as constant malfunctioning vehicle entry gate. There is only one way in and 2 ways out of this place which constantly has a fleet of cars down the street awaiting entry into the complex as a result. Every time the issue was brought to the leasing office's attention, the response was always "we're working on it", there resolution was finally to put a smaller entry gate making it difficult for larger vehicles such as SUV's to entry, pure idiots! There is no security patrol thru the complex as provided as one of the supposed attraction to living in this "halftime" gated community, the regional mgr response to that was its only needed during the summertime, I wasn't aware safety was a part time priority?! Lastly, my father whom is also a tenant, disabled veteran with handicapped tags on his vehicle has to play musical parking with the other residents because Regency doesn't have a handicapped parking space in my court as it does its other courts which should be already there as an accommodation like the other courts, however the regional mgr at first stated it again "we're working on it", then says the request must be put in writing and certified by a doctor, the man already has tags on his vehicle that are certified by the Dept of Motor Vehicles, why should he have to disclose his condition to an apt complex for something that they should have?? Utterly ridiculous! They have the nerve to add a 3% increase to my already sky high rent for just occupying the place, yet they don't take or address residents concerned seriously. The regional manager Aubrey Haskins is rude, condescending, close minded, and dismissive, she is not customer or resident friendly at all, I don't know how she got her job because she doesn't know how to deal with people, she talks down to you as if you work for her, which i quickly put her in her place and reminded her that my rent pays her salary! This place is absolute trash and as soon as I can find another place to move, i'm out of here, don't waste your time, breath, energy, effort, or hard earned money on this company, you will regret it!

The worst...website not safe. They have mold issues. This company sucks. They cover up the issues

I am not sure- how anyone can give this place 4 stars. It doesn t deserve that. I will give it 1.5 stars. Throughout the entirety of my stay here people have been throwing their trash into a room where the trash chute is. Instead of throwing the thrash into the trash chute- imagine the roaches and rodents this attracts let alone the stench. Perhaps it is time to let residents know that they are responsible for taking their trash and throwing it away down the chute and not simply leaving it in a room until it overflows Into the hallway that people have to walk down to get to their apartments. Cleanliness and civic mindedness is not a trait for most tenants that live here. It has a refugee/ghetto camp feel. I hope the Donaldson group can get their act together. I wish I could post pictures of The Enclave apartments for all to see.
Maybe I will make a YouTube video and post it