Har-par investments ltd is a joke!

IHateHarParInvestments · 01-05-2012, 07:57 AM

Where to begin? I lived in Creston House (7010 101 Ave NW Edmonton, Alberta) for a whopping 1 year. Within that year I dealt with a bug infestation (sow bugs, beetles etc), I flooded not once, not twice, not three times, BUT FOUR TIMES. One of them being with human fecal matter. All of these issues gone completely unnoticed or dealt with in the "cheapest" way possible. My bug problem? Spray for bed bugs...I don't have those...My flood problem? Oh just dry the floor. Because water damage just goes away right? The floods did not help my bug problem being that sow bugs and beetles love the moisture. So my place was perfect for them. When my neighbours across the hall flooded it got into my place. It went through the walls into my living room. How do you dry the interior part of a wall? In Har-Pars eyes...you don't. (Please keep in mind I have not been the only one who experienced this misfortune...my neighbours as well as others in other complexes have dealt with similar issues including BED BUGS and BLACK MOULD). When I'd approach my 1 of 3 landlords I had in the one year I lived there, they were very unresponsive and quite frankly thick-skulled. Upon my inspection for my move out my landlord (not the one who did the initial walkthrough) nit-picked every single thing. (understandably) BUT, when I moved in it was very short notice so they did not paint when I moved in (previous tenants were smokers for 4 years in there..so the walls are yellow-stained). I was informed that the walls were dirty and I did not clean them (but i did...they are yellow from smoke...i can't get rid of that). So i cannot get my deposit back. She wouldn't even look me in the eyes and listen to me when I was trying to explain to her why they were like that. She kept cutting me off and telling me she was reporting this and that when everything was there when I moved in. I am a very clean person and this place was as clean as it was going to get. In the end I was/am still completely distraught and I feel completely violated. I was robbed of a sense of safety, security, and the feeling of home. This company is after your money they don't give two craps about you. This building was 50 years old, which is perfectly fine if you maintain the place. This place hasn't seen a reno in 50 years. When dealing with management and maintenance they did NOTHING. Every time I hang up the phone I am even more agitated. To say the least, I lost a reference and a nice chunk of my money.

This hasn't even scratched the surface of my NIGHTMARE living under HAR-PAR INVESTMENTS. Please visit their website for full listings of all their properties so you can AVOID living in a complete and utter nightmare.

I am making it my mission to save individuals and families from this horrible reality. I will not stop until Har-Par has bit the dust!

IanO · 01-05-2012, 08:33 AM

Have you contacted the tenant advisory board?

IHateHarParInvestments · 01-05-2012, 08:34 AM

calling today!

thanks

edmonton daily photo · 01-05-2012, 08:42 AM

You can also call 311 if there is a health/safety concern.

IHateHarParInvestments · 01-05-2012, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edmonton daily photo

You can also call 311 if there is a health/safety concern.

I did call them and told them my situation. they directed me to the tenant advisory board.

my main thing is i want to expose this company. i want to save people from having to go through this as well.

edmonton daily photo · 01-05-2012, 08:49 AM

If, the property is ill kept, unsafe or so on... have someone call the city who is not living in the property. The city has powers to deal or annoy the land owner.

IHateHarParInvestments · 01-05-2012, 08:53 AM

Thank you for your help! I am no longer living there as of yesterday, could I call?

edmonton daily photo · 01-05-2012, 09:15 AM

if the site is unsightly/unsafe anyone can..

I am talking about broken windows, unkept grass, sidewalks that aren't shoveled, graphittie

IHateHarParInvestments · 01-05-2012, 09:19 AM

awesome thanks!

Dusty Bear · 01-05-2012, 10:09 AM

Alberta Health Services deals with health and housing standards for rental properties.

http://tenant.landlordandtenant.org/...gfaqs_rep.aspx

I don't know what number to call, though.

Magpiefriendly · 01-05-2012, 11:53 AM

I am in agreement with everything you said, although my experience with Har Par was somewhat different (but equally vile.)
Of the many ludicrous accusations that came my way, the most gobsmackingly stupid one was being accused of 'sword-play' in my 70's circa, harvest gold fridge. I should have moved out then (and taken my sword with me), however many of their properties are in prime locations, and they own hundreds of rentals in Edmonton...so it's not easy.
The agencies in town who deal with rental disputes can only proceed if you lodge a formal complaint...at a cost of $75. Although I found them helpful, ultimately, the only solution (short of public expose), is to not rent properties from this slum landlord.
You have my sympathy.

edmonton daily photo · 01-05-2012, 12:38 PM

i'm sorry sword play?

Magpiefriendly · 01-05-2012, 12:44 PM

Yes. My freezer broke and they wouldn't replace it because the maintenance flunky reported that there was evidence of 'sword play' in this ancient refridgerator. I lived out of a cooler on my balcony for three weeks, until the building manager (recently hired) intervened and got me another fridge.

edmonton daily photo · 01-05-2012, 12:48 PM

How can you have "sword play" in a freezer?

edmonton daily photo · 01-05-2012, 12:49 PM

And did you own swords?

Magpiefriendly · 01-05-2012, 12:49 PM

Anything is possible in Liarsville.

Magpiefriendly · 01-05-2012, 01:24 PM

And no, I don't own swords, nor any sort of weaponry, medieval or otherwise.

edmonton daily photo · 01-05-2012, 01:28 PM

^ see that just makes it even funnier in hindsight of course... I am sure it was very frustrating at the time...

Sonic Death Monkey · 01-05-2012, 01:33 PM

Did you actually get "sword play" in writing?

Magpiefriendly · 01-05-2012, 01:33 PM

Yes, my entire experience with Har-Par is as tragic as it is humourously absurd. Now. I am so glad I'm out. Novel pending...

Magpiefriendly · 01-05-2012, 01:38 PM

No. Sadly. It was communicated to me verbally, as was the information that they saw 'no damage' to my apartment after a flood, in spite of the fact that there was plaster falling off my walls.

Sonic Death Monkey · 01-05-2012, 01:42 PM

If it's verbal, I'm thinking "sword play" may be a miscommunication of some technical jargon. But in any case, it's always a good idea to get these things in writing, especially for legal purposes.

Magpiefriendly · 01-05-2012, 01:49 PM

No, it wasn't a miscommunication of technical jargon. I mean, sword play means exactly that...which is what makes this whole thing ludicrous. Obviously, they were referring to the wear and tear on the 30 year old freezer, which was normal, but this 'sword play' excuse...at least temporarily...absolved them from replacing it. As I mentioned, thank god the kindly building manager finally had a look herself, and finding no evidence of sword play, had another fridge (old, but not as old) delivered to my apartment.

azzey · 01-05-2012, 03:03 PM

Was the rent reasonable at least?

It astounds me that in a country and city as great as ours we can allow this to happen.

IHateHarParInvestments · 01-05-2012, 03:08 PM

where i lived 1 bedroom was 795$ a month which was a great price for the neighbourhood! but not worth it! rent went up to 855$ for 1 bed and $950 for 2 bed. although they do advertise higher in some ads and some of their other complexes are more expensive.

lat · 01-05-2012, 03:21 PM

Here's another thread on these guys from a while ago... bit of a trend here.

http://www.connect2edmonton.ca/forum...ad.php?t=19769

Cal76 · 02-05-2012, 08:29 PM

Good thing to expose slumlords just make sure that you don't get sued by them.
I'll advise everyone (who's looking for a rental place in central Edmonton) to avoid them.
Btw, the ppl running the individual bldgs are Bldg Managers, not landlords.

IHateHarParInvestments · 03-05-2012, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal76

Good thing to expose slumlords just make sure that you don't get sued by them.
I'll advise everyone (who's looking for a rental place in central Edmonton) to avoid them.
Btw, the ppl running the individual bldgs are Bldg Managers, not landlords.

They call themselves landlords. So does the management company. But really, I don't think thats the issue here

rockyv · 03-05-2012, 02:12 PM

True story - I was looking for a place a few years ago, and I was shown one of their apartments. The apartment looked nice and everything, but the balcony had a out dead crow sprawled out on it. Can you say bad omen?

Magpiefriendly · 03-05-2012, 02:20 PM

Ha! Poor crow. Lucky you.

01-05-2012, 07:57 AM	#1
IHateHarParInvestments First One is Always Free Join Date: Apr 2012	Har-par investments ltd is a joke! Where to begin? I lived in Creston House (7010 101 Ave NW Edmonton, Alberta) for a whopping 1 year. Within that year I dealt with a bug infestation (sow bugs, beetles etc), I flooded not once, not twice, not three times, BUT FOUR TIMES. One of them being with human fecal matter. All of these issues gone completely unnoticed or dealt with in the "cheapest" way possible. My bug problem? Spray for bed bugs...I don't have those...My flood problem? Oh just dry the floor. Because water damage just goes away right? The floods did not help my bug problem being that sow bugs and beetles love the moisture. So my place was perfect for them. When my neighbours across the hall flooded it got into my place. It went through the walls into my living room. How do you dry the interior part of a wall? In Har-Pars eyes...you don't. (Please keep in mind I have not been the only one who experienced this misfortune...my neighbours as well as others in other complexes have dealt with similar issues including BED BUGS and BLACK MOULD). When I'd approach my 1 of 3 landlords I had in the one year I lived there, they were very unresponsive and quite frankly thick-skulled. Upon my inspection for my move out my landlord (not the one who did the initial walkthrough) nit-picked every single thing. (understandably) BUT, when I moved in it was very short notice so they did not paint when I moved in (previous tenants were smokers for 4 years in there..so the walls are yellow-stained). I was informed that the walls were dirty and I did not clean them (but i did...they are yellow from smoke...i can't get rid of that). So i cannot get my deposit back. She wouldn't even look me in the eyes and listen to me when I was trying to explain to her why they were like that. She kept cutting me off and telling me she was reporting this and that when everything was there when I moved in. I am a very clean person and this place was as clean as it was going to get. In the end I was/am still completely distraught and I feel completely violated. I was robbed of a sense of safety, security, and the feeling of home. This company is after your money they don't give two craps about you. This building was 50 years old, which is perfectly fine if you maintain the place. This place hasn't seen a reno in 50 years. When dealing with management and maintenance they did NOTHING. Every time I hang up the phone I am even more agitated. To say the least, I lost a reference and a nice chunk of my money. This hasn't even scratched the surface of my NIGHTMARE living under HAR-PAR INVESTMENTS. Please visit their website for full listings of all their properties so you can AVOID living in a complete and utter nightmare. I am making it my mission to save individuals and families from this horrible reality. I will not stop until Har-Par has bit the dust! __________________ DO NOT rent apartments run by HAR-PAR INVESTMENTS LTD. Bugs (bed, sow, beetles, centipedes), floods (POOP), mould, rancid smelling hallways, HORRIBLE MANAGEMENTS..etc

01-05-2012, 08:33 AM	#2
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	Have you contacted the tenant advisory board? __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

01-05-2012, 08:34 AM	#3
IHateHarParInvestments First One is Always Free Join Date: Apr 2012	calling today! thanks __________________ DO NOT rent apartments run by HAR-PAR INVESTMENTS LTD. Bugs (bed, sow, beetles, centipedes), floods (POOP), mould, rancid smelling hallways, HORRIBLE MANAGEMENTS..etc

01-05-2012, 08:42 AM	#4
edmonton daily photo Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2008	You can also call 311 if there is a health/safety concern. __________________ "Do you give people who already use transit a better service, or do you build it where they don't use it in the hopes they might start to use it?" Nenshi

01-05-2012, 08:49 AM	#6
edmonton daily photo Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2008	If, the property is ill kept, unsafe or so on... have someone call the city who is not living in the property. The city has powers to deal or annoy the land owner. __________________ "Do you give people who already use transit a better service, or do you build it where they don't use it in the hopes they might start to use it?" Nenshi

01-05-2012, 08:53 AM	#7
IHateHarParInvestments First One is Always Free Join Date: Apr 2012	Thank you for your help! I am no longer living there as of yesterday, could I call? __________________ DO NOT rent apartments run by HAR-PAR INVESTMENTS LTD. Bugs (bed, sow, beetles, centipedes), floods (POOP), mould, rancid smelling hallways, HORRIBLE MANAGEMENTS..etc

01-05-2012, 09:15 AM	#8
edmonton daily photo Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2008	if the site is unsightly/unsafe anyone can.. I am talking about broken windows, unkept grass, sidewalks that aren't shoveled, graphittie __________________ "Do you give people who already use transit a better service, or do you build it where they don't use it in the hopes they might start to use it?" Nenshi

01-05-2012, 09:19 AM	#9
IHateHarParInvestments First One is Always Free Join Date: Apr 2012	awesome thanks! __________________ DO NOT rent apartments run by HAR-PAR INVESTMENTS LTD. Bugs (bed, sow, beetles, centipedes), floods (POOP), mould, rancid smelling hallways, HORRIBLE MANAGEMENTS..etc

01-05-2012, 10:09 AM	#10
Dusty Bear Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	Alberta Health Services deals with health and housing standards for rental properties. http://tenant.landlordandtenant.org/...gfaqs_rep.aspx I don't know what number to call, though.

01-05-2012, 11:53 AM	#11
Magpiefriendly First One is Always Free Join Date: May 2012	Har Par veteran I am in agreement with everything you said, although my experience with Har Par was somewhat different (but equally vile.) Of the many ludicrous accusations that came my way, the most gobsmackingly stupid one was being accused of 'sword-play' in my 70's circa, harvest gold fridge. I should have moved out then (and taken my sword with me), however many of their properties are in prime locations, and they own hundreds of rentals in Edmonton...so it's not easy. The agencies in town who deal with rental disputes can only proceed if you lodge a formal complaint...at a cost of $75. Although I found them helpful, ultimately, the only solution (short of public expose), is to not rent properties from this slum landlord. You have my sympathy.

01-05-2012, 12:38 PM	#12
edmonton daily photo Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2008	i'm sorry sword play? __________________ "Do you give people who already use transit a better service, or do you build it where they don't use it in the hopes they might start to use it?" Nenshi

01-05-2012, 12:44 PM	#13
Magpiefriendly First One is Always Free Join Date: May 2012	Yes. My freezer broke and they wouldn't replace it because the maintenance flunky reported that there was evidence of 'sword play' in this ancient refridgerator. I lived out of a cooler on my balcony for three weeks, until the building manager (recently hired) intervened and got me another fridge.

01-05-2012, 12:48 PM	#14
edmonton daily photo Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2008	How can you have "sword play" in a freezer? __________________ "Do you give people who already use transit a better service, or do you build it where they don't use it in the hopes they might start to use it?" Nenshi

01-05-2012, 12:49 PM	#15
edmonton daily photo Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2008	And did you own swords? __________________ "Do you give people who already use transit a better service, or do you build it where they don't use it in the hopes they might start to use it?" Nenshi

01-05-2012, 01:24 PM	#17
Magpiefriendly First One is Always Free Join Date: May 2012	And no, I don't own swords, nor any sort of weaponry, medieval or otherwise.

01-05-2012, 01:28 PM	#18
edmonton daily photo Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2008	^ see that just makes it even funnier in hindsight of course... I am sure it was very frustrating at the time... __________________ "Do you give people who already use transit a better service, or do you build it where they don't use it in the hopes they might start to use it?" Nenshi

01-05-2012, 01:33 PM	#19
Sonic Death Monkey Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Downtown	Did you actually get "sword play" in writing? __________________ “You have to dream big. If we want to be a little city, we dream small. If we want to be a big city, we dream big, and this is a big idea.” - Mayor Stephen Mandel, 02/22/2012

01-05-2012, 01:38 PM	#21
Magpiefriendly First One is Always Free Join Date: May 2012	No. Sadly. It was communicated to me verbally, as was the information that they saw 'no damage' to my apartment after a flood, in spite of the fact that there was plaster falling off my walls.

01-05-2012, 01:42 PM	#22
Sonic Death Monkey Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Downtown	If it's verbal, I'm thinking "sword play" may be a miscommunication of some technical jargon. But in any case, it's always a good idea to get these things in writing, especially for legal purposes. __________________ “You have to dream big. If we want to be a little city, we dream small. If we want to be a big city, we dream big, and this is a big idea.” - Mayor Stephen Mandel, 02/22/2012

01-05-2012, 01:49 PM	#23
Magpiefriendly First One is Always Free Join Date: May 2012	No, it wasn't a miscommunication of technical jargon. I mean, sword play means exactly that...which is what makes this whole thing ludicrous. Obviously, they were referring to the wear and tear on the 30 year old freezer, which was normal, but this 'sword play' excuse...at least temporarily...absolved them from replacing it. As I mentioned, thank god the kindly building manager finally had a look herself, and finding no evidence of sword play, had another fridge (old, but not as old) delivered to my apartment.

01-05-2012, 03:03 PM	#24
azzey Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB	Was the rent reasonable at least? It astounds me that in a country and city as great as ours we can allow this to happen.

01-05-2012, 03:08 PM	#25
IHateHarParInvestments First One is Always Free Join Date: Apr 2012	where i lived 1 bedroom was 795$ a month which was a great price for the neighbourhood! but not worth it! rent went up to 855$ for 1 bed and $950 for 2 bed. although they do advertise higher in some ads and some of their other complexes are more expensive. __________________ DO NOT rent apartments run by HAR-PAR INVESTMENTS LTD. Bugs (bed, sow, beetles, centipedes), floods (POOP), mould, rancid smelling hallways, HORRIBLE MANAGEMENTS..etc

01-05-2012, 03:21 PM	#26
lat Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2007	Here's another thread on these guys from a while ago... bit of a trend here. http://www.connect2edmonton.ca/forum...ad.php?t=19769 __________________ done.

02-05-2012, 08:29 PM	#27
Cal76 Addicted to C2E Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Edmonton	Good thing to expose slumlords just make sure that you don't get sued by them. I'll advise everyone (who's looking for a rental place in central Edmonton) to avoid them. Btw, the ppl running the individual bldgs are Bldg Managers, not landlords.

03-05-2012, 02:12 PM	#29
rockyv First One is Always Free Join Date: Sep 2011	True story - I was looking for a place a few years ago, and I was shown one of their apartments. The apartment looked nice and everything, but the balcony had a out dead crow sprawled out on it. Can you say bad omen?

03-05-2012, 02:20 PM	#30
Magpiefriendly First One is Always Free Join Date: May 2012	Ha! Poor crow. Lucky you.