Apartment Review for Olympic Village Apartments - Norfolk, VA

We moved into Olympic Village Apartments in April 2005. Three days after moving in our refrigerator died. Maintence attempted to repair it twice, and it had to be replaced. The washing machine died a month into the lease. It also had to be replaced. Minor repairs and maintence were expected, but the problem came when the scratching started. It was initially heard in the bedroom ceiling. Maintenance claimed to lay poison in the ceiling to kill what they claimed to be squirrels. The scratching then went from the ceiling to the bedroom wall. We again reported the problem and wre assured that the problem would be handled. After a month of failed attempts by maintenance, an outside exterminator was hired. This company informed us that they were unable to handle the problem after almost a month of trying. The exterminator did enlightened us that the rodents were coming in through a large hole in the roof of the building. Maintenance repaired a few holes, but reported that there were too many holes to repair. Meaning that even if the current rodents were killed, others would enter. By November 2005 we were advised to submit a 21-day notice to the landlord giving them a period in excess of thirty days from "receipt to satisfy any discrepancies. After which we would file a claim with General District Court, and pay rent to the court instead of the landlord. This was a waste of time. The landlord refused to sign the notice, but we do have the message confirmation report of where she sent the notice to Tammy Upton, corporate office manager. We then sent the letter certified mail which was received by the landlord. Corporate decided to use Critter Control, a company that specializes in rodents. They informed us that the company would not be able to come out until after January 1,2006. We were guaranteed that Critter Control would definitely be able to solve the problem within seven days. On January 10, 2005 at approximately 5:00am we called Critter Control to ask of the progress due to the continued unbearable conditions. We were then informed that they also unsuccessful. The company uses animal traps and due to the massive number of rats, this technique would be an unrealistic.The noise of the scratching and whaling of the rats makes it impossible to be sleep, eat, or live. The rats have then scratched through the wall from the bedroom to the living room and are boisterous throughout the entire apartment. Even though maintence came out to witness the rats, and it was confirmed by the exterminator, corporate did not want to help at all. Finally after months of fighting we were able to get out of our lease, but have yet to recieve an apology. We couldn't move during the year because we would be liable for the rent in the apt. Neighbors on each side of us have had experience with a rodent in their apt. which we didn't find out until we were having the problem. If this is not bad enough, there were two seperate episodes of shooting. This is the WORST experience I could imagine. Be wise when deciding where to live.