Chapel Ridge changes management to improve resident conditions

Following complaints of frustrated residents and apartments in unacceptable conditions, Chapel Ridge has changed management in an effort to improve the apartment complex.

Earlier this year, several Chapel Ridge residents reported complaints of maintenance issues such as dirty carpets and broken appliances.

In September, current Chapel Ridge property manager Katie Grout replaced the former manager and has faced many challenges.

“It’s been an uphill battle,” Grout said.

“When I got here, from what I’ve gathered, a lot of the units may have been untouched. There were probably close to 200 maintenance requests, which is crazy. Our goal is that no maintenance request should go more than three days unresolved.”

Grout said a supplementary maintenance provider was brought out and that they have caught up on all of the maintenance requests and are back to the normal three-day schedule.

She speculated that issues with the previous management might have stemmed from a lack of experience and organization.

“I know the previous manager, and it was her first property,” Grout said.

“I will admit, this job takes a lot of organization. It’s not something that you can prepare for. I do know that they went through two different managers at that from January to September, and things could have gotten lost in translation.”

Chapel Ridge residents have had mixed reactions to the recent changes in management at the complex.

“The management has been better since it changed in the fall. However, there are still significant issues,” said Kristi Mcginley, a UNC graduate student.

“They did try to help by getting space air conditioning units for a number of weeks and then eventually compensating us for a few days without air. However, the number of issues and time-consuming efforts we have had to go through to have our requests met has been exhausting and extremely frustrating.”

UNC junior Dani Isetts said she has had a better experience with Chapel Ridge.

“The management seems to be more on top of getting information out to residents, and some of our maintenance requests have been resolved,” Isetts said.

Grout said they have started to determine what furniture, countertops and appliances need to be replaced immediately so that on move-in day, everything should be ready for the new tenants.

She also said management has been making efforts toward stronger community bonding and catering resident events so they can appeal to the UNC demographic.

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