At the end of Part II, I mentioned my “we’re outta here” letter. Here’s what I sent to Ellensburg Property Management:
Dear [redacted],
I am writing to you on behalf of Prairie, as she does not currently have internet access. Thank you very much for your assistance with the problems Prairie had with the unit yesterday and throughout today. Unfortunately, due to those issues and others that she has discovered, we are giving formal notice that she will be contacting you tomorrow morning (Wednesday, Jan. 5th) to make arrangements for leaving the property at 606 Tamarack, Unit #1.
The following is a list of issues we have discovered with the property over the past 36 hours. Some we might have noticed during the initial walkthrough if we had had more time, but many, including the most serious issues, would not have been noticed until we had taken possession of the unit.
- Apartment-wide:
- Frozen pipes (only partially thawed after 4 and a half hours of intensive work by Roto Rooter, requiring a team of three technicians and two specialized thawing units). Because the pipes were only partially thawed, water pressure is extremely low. In addition, Roto Rooter recommended leaving the apartment heat on high so that the pipes do not refreeze, making the apartment unbearably hot.
- When water started flowing from the pipes, metal shavings were ejected along with the initial flow of water. Due to the metal shavings, the age and type of pipes, and the water quality, the Roto Rooter representative recommended that the tap water not be used for drinking or even for cooking.
- The fuses seem unable to handle electrical loads. Four fuses blew over four hours, exhausting the supply you provided and requiring Prairie to buy the entire stock of appropriate fuses from Fred Myer to ensure she would not lose power.
- Dust and cobwebs throughout the apartment show that it has not been cleaned in quite some time. Cobwebs even exist within the vents of the gas furnace, potentially a serious fire hazard.
- There is no fire extinguisher provided (though this may not be an issue, as we admit we’re not positive on the requirements in this instance).
- Exterior:
- The odd extension cord that terminates inside the main room of the apartment appears to lead to some exposed wiring near the floodlights for the parking spaces, which may present a fire hazard.
- Though a mailbox key was provided, Prairie was not told which mailbox it belongs to.
- Living room/kitchen:
- Once the pipes thawed, it became apparent that the pipe leading to the sprayer nozzle on the kitchen sink has a steady leak.
- The kitchen stove top was dirty.
- The electrical socket underneath the kitchen counter is not physically attached to the wall, and requires cautious steadying when attempting to plug or unplug anything.
- There are no brackets for the shelves in the living room closet, so the shelves (currently laid against the wall) cannot be used.
- The refrigerator is powered by a jury-rigged system consisting of an extension cord (plugged into the loose electrical socket) with a triple-socket adapter that the refrigerator plugs into.
- Bedroom/bathroom:
- The bathroom window does not open.
- The water heater is ancient, filthy, and has areas that are apparently plugged with paper towels.
- The shower head literally fell off of the pipe when we first touched it. When we attempted to replace the pipe (to attach an extension pipe along with a new shower head), the threads of the pipe broke off inside the pipe within the wall, requiring a call to a plumber before the shower was useable.
- The bathroom door does not close properly due to a loose upper hinge.
- The doorknob to the bedroom closet is loose.
Due to these issues, quite a few of which seem to question the safety of the unit, Prairie was uncomfortable staying there a second night and has left to stay with a friend from work. Because she will not be present overnight, she was uncomfortable leaving the furnace set at its maximum, and left it set to 65°. She has also left the water slightly running to keep water moving through the pipes. We sincerely hope that this will prevent the pipes from refreezing overnight. She will be contacting you at her earliest convenience tomorrow to make arrangements for leaving the property and getting her rent and security deposit refunded. Thank you very much for your kind understanding in this situation.
Sincerely,
Michael and Prairie
Wednesday morning, Prairie went off to begin the transition that should have started the day before, and I split my time between homework and hunting down every apartment listing I could find for the Ellensburg area. Things weren’t looking good for a while, as the town tends to revolve around the school year schedule, and every apartment complex I called either didn’t answer (and didn’t return calls) or was entirely full. Finally, though, I got a hit off of a Craigslist ad, and left a message for Prairie with the details on how to contact the landlord.
And, finally, pieces started to fall into place.
Since detailing things working the way they’re supposed to isn’t nearly as interesting (or, frankly, as fun) as complaining about things falling apart, this part will be a little bit briefer.
The new place is great. It’s a little more expensive and not nearly as big as the first place, but those little details are so far from being issues that they’re not really worth mentioning except as comparisons. It’s in a building directly off the CWU campus, just about five minutes’ walk from the Writing Center. While it’s an older building, it was originally owned by the University, has been very well kept up over the years, and was remodeled just a few years ago. Even better, the unit that Prairie got was remodeled even more recently to make it ADA compliant for a former tenant, so it has everything from a ramp up to the door to a shower big enough to fit a wheelchair in (or, as Prairie pointed out, four people at one time…though we seriously doubt that anything like that will ever be going on). It has relatively new appliances, even including a washer and dryer in the unit.
Another good sign: Andrew, the landlord, is very connected to CWU. His firm gives a scholarship to the university, the majority of his tenants are faculty, staff, or grad students, and he’s often recommended by the university as the person to talk to for off-campus housing. Prairie even had one of the Writing Center staff hear a little bit of her story of apartment woes and come up to her to ask if she’d talked to Andrew yet! He’s been much easier to work with and get ahold of than the other landlord was, and in general, has helped make this apartment experience be the exact opposite of our first try.
The moral of the story? If you’re looking for rental properties in Ellensburg stick with Andrew at Hatlestad Investment Group, LLC. He’s great. Highly recommended (and obviously, not just by us)!
Update: We need to strongly withdraw our recommendation. While I haven’t gotten around to detailing our experiences (and I do need to), we had problems when it was time to leave the apartment. We do not recommend renting from Andrew Hatlestad and the Hatlestad Investment Group.
I took some pictures of the new place while I was there this weekend, and will get them posted eventually. As it is, I’ve taken too much time making these posts when I need to be getting caught up on my reading for this week’s classes, so I’ll call this the end.
And that’s the story of our adventures (so far) in moving to Ellensburg.
Glad you found a decent place. The other place while more spacious sounds really not too good with all the defects you encountered. Best of wishes to you in your new digs!
I am so happy to hear of your experience with A. Hatlestad. Unfortunately for myself, and many others I have spoken to, the man is a nightmare. We are still waiting for our deposit back and it has been three months. (We left the apartment so clean the following tenant contacted me to see what I had used to clean the wood floors.)
We went without water for five days in a row because the plumbing was fixed so slowly. We had a mouse infestation that was never completely rectified, even though we were told that an exterminator had been called. And then the very worst has been trying to get our damage deposit back. A. Hatlestad told me that he had not been in Ellensburg for two months because of a family emergency; except I saw him with my own two eyes as he pulled in and then pulled away from the curb as soon as he saw me standing next to the rental property where he has his Ellensburg office. We did love the property that we rented which was an old restored apartment complex, but as for Mr. Hatlestad – he is a nightmare.
Theresa, re. deposit from Andrew Hatlestad – don’t hold your breath. He still has ours after 1 year, and that of the tenants before us (moved out 4 years ago).
Same story otherwise – he’s never available, and always has a good or not-so-good excuse. The BBB is advising to consider seeking legal assistance if you have issues with his company.
Andrew Hatlestad has my deposit, too — despite leaving the place in far better conditions than when I moved in. He told me repeatedly that the check was in the mail. He lied. He never sent it, and now, refuses my calls. He has a very, very poor reputation in Ellensburg and preys on individuals who are new to town and don’t know what a slumlord he is. (I also had a mouse problem and lacked hot water in my kitchen for months). A quick search of Washington state public record show he has been taken to court numerous times.
Search for yourself here:
http://dw.courts.wa.gov/index.cfm?fa=home.namesearch&terms=accept&flashform=0
A hatlestad also has my deposit. He has probably gotten away with a lot of people’s deposits and if mine was in the amount of $700.00 I don’t want to know how much he pockets for himself. I am appalled by his lack of professionalism. I am looking for individuals who have had the same or similar situation with Andrew to join me in a Counter Act Lawsuit. I have had a lot of legal advice and we definitely have a case. I am asking that anyone who is interested in joining me or at least providing me their statements for court email me or respond to the post on this very blog.
I have the same problem as you. I tried to get back my deposit for one and a half year already. Recently, I filed a small claim court and I won, but I still could not get my money back. It is because he had already sold the apartment I lived. I couldnt find other properties under ‘Hatlestad Investment Group’. Could you kindly email me the exact address of the apartment you lived before, please? Then, I can continue the process.
Andrew Hatlestad has my daughter’s deposit as well. Depsite a clean check out and a promise “it was in the mail”. She had a rat, mice, mold, and lots of spiders. She rented from him in Bellevue, WA.
know how much he pockets for himself. I am appalled by his lack of professionalism. I am looking for individuals who have had the same or similar situation with Andrew to join me in a Counter Act Lawsuit. I have had a lot of legal advice and we definitely have a case. I am asking that anyone who is interested in joining me or at least providing me their statements for court email me or respond to the post on this very blog.
Same issue with not receiving a deposit return here. I have also been hearing this from several other people in the Ellensburg area that I am fully committed to going after him with a law suit and am interested in joining forces on this. It may also be a good idea to make complaints to the building department and or heath department regarding the mice, mold, code violations you have experienced. Maybe the IRS? I wonder how he is accounting the deposit money ?
Update: I need to rescind my recommendation of Andrew Hatlestad. I haven’t gotten around to putting up a post about this yet (and I really should), but we had problems of our own when we left. We do not recommend him as a landlord anymore.
A hatlestad also has my deposit. He has probably gotten away with a lot of people’s deposits and if mine was in the amount of $700.00 I don’t want to know how much he pockets for himself. I am appalled by his lack of professionalism. I am looking for individuals who have had the same or similar situation with Andrew to join me in a Counter Act Lawsuit. I have had a lot of legal advice and we definitely have a case. I am asking that anyone who is interested in joining me or at least providing me their statements for court email me or respond to the post on this very blog.
I had a broken faucet a few months ago and called Andrew Hatlestad about getting it repaired. He never called me back. After two calls to him I engaged a plumber myself. The plumber told me that he had worked for Andrew before and had a horrible time getting paid and that he was only willing to repair my faucet because I would be paying him and then deducting the amount from my rent check.
When I moved into the apartment that I rent from Andrew Hatlestad he promised that their would be a washing machine available ‘in less than a week’. It took three months before there was a washing machine, and when it broke down a year later it took him a month and a half to fix it.
Given his past behavior and what folks have written here I fully expect to have trouble with him when I eventually move on. (Andrew Hatlestad reminds me a lot of a landlord I had in Seattle: ‘Burton Walls’.)
Has anything come of this? Am currently renting from Andrew and have issues before I have even moved out
Rented a few years ago. Also promised full deposit return. Follow-up communication trailed off. No deposit return to-date.
I am an attorney who has a case against Andrew Hatlestad right now where he took my client’s security deposit and claimed things were damaged when they were not. I got my client a judgment for three times the security deposit because of Andrew Hatlestad’s fraudulent taking. If you have encountered the same problem or fear you might have, contact me so that we can clamp down on this crooked business man. My number is 206.850.6716.
Andrew Cherin, Attorney at Law
Andrew Hatlestad took my deposit ($700) over a year ago and I didn’t even move in to his slum apartment. He called it a ‘security’ deposit rather than a damage deposit, and said the security deposit was to hold the apartment for the future tenant. I would like to know if its even worth it to pursue this man through the legal system or not. It looks like many of you have had problems with him as well in the past, but have any of you got your money back? This man literally is a fraud and needs to be dealt with. Any info on your situations would be helpful…thanks!
Note to Michael: This page truly paints the real “Andrew”. It should be tagged so that others looking for apartments in Ellensburg will have the full realistic picture of dealing with this deviant.
I am right here with you guys as another victim. He is withholding my deposit with no reason or written notice as to why. He has stood me up on several occasions for both the walkthough and attempts to get my deposit check. Although, if you are giving him a rent check he can meet you anywhere within an hour. For everything else, he either does not answer or he is suddenly “stuck on the westside”, probably in court. He claims that we were supposed to meet up despite the fact that I have sent him the forwarding address multiple and repeated times. Had I known this earlier, I would have just not paid for the final months rent.
Aside from the fact that I agree with every negative aspect about Andrew I also have to add that talking to him is one of the most unpleasurable experiences of my life.
Aside from his behaviors as a scumbag slumlord, liar, and a deposit thief, he goes to extreme lengths to paint himself as a “super citizen” of Ellensburg, citing his grandeur heroics to prevent meth addicts, prostitutes, and other criminals from moving into his properties.
While the entire time he is one of the biggest exploiters of Ellensburg. It is appalling that he is able to conduct business. I particularly dislike his stories about Montana where wrongdoers are severely punished and taken care of in unofficial means. Perhaps that’s why he’s not there anymore?
Most of his conversations last over an hour and after 90 seconds it is apparent to most people that his facade is endless. Anyone who has talked to him should be able to attest that it is such an unpleasurable experience that you want to stab him in the face with a fork just so you can get away from him!
While realizing the true depths of his dishonest nature I talked to Andrew Cherin for about an hour regarding Hatlestad and Cherin was very helpful – on a Saturday even. Thank you!
Everything on this webpage regarding his behavior supports Hatlestad’s true practices.DO NOT rent from this man unless you are prepared to take a loss and be neglected for the duration of your lease.
Aah, I’m so thankful for all of you who have left information about Hatlestad. I realize it’s been awhile since anybody has posted – have there been any developments regarding the security deposit thefts and other rental law noncompliance in small claims court?
Andrew Hatlestad is scum. He also does business as “Fifth Street Partners”. I rented from him from August of 2009 to January of 2015 (my rent was $675 and then $695 – I estimate I’ve given him more than $44,400 during that time). He still owes me the ‘damage deposit’, and he is sending me threatening letters claiming that I owe him rent for up until August of 2015. The original lease expired at the end of August 2010 and I have been month to month since then. He claims that it was my responsibility to get the apartment rented, which is nonsense. He also claims that it took him two months to clean the place, even though the carpet was shampooed (by a company he recommended, whose proprietor hates Andrew) an hour after I left. He is a liar and a cheat. Never trust him.
I rented from Andrew (Taylor Investment Group LLC at the time – he went by Andrew Taylor, not Hatlestad) from June 2011-June 2012. After not receiving my damage deposit or last month’s rent (we moved out early and signed a form saying he would refund the prorated amount back to us), I took him to Small Claims Court. Since he didn’t show up to court, I won the case by default. I took it to collections, but have yet to see any money. I also agree that anyone renting in Ellensburg should be warned.
This guy is scum. Holds deposits, doesn’t fix anything, local people won’t work for him because he doesn’t pay at all. His buildings are a disaster, complete disrepair.
He has a horrible reputation in town. Locals know to stay away, he preys on a fresh batch of CWU to screw money out of. He figures renters and contractors don’t have the means to fight him in court, he’s partly right.
If you have been screwed by Andrew Hatlestad, Hatlestad Investment Group, Fifth Street Partners, and other fronts for Andrew Hatlestad, I strong suggust you bring your case to the attorney commented above.
Don’t be taken advantage of.
Andrew took over a thousand dollars from me. He claimed the carpet was ruined (it wasn’t) there was black mold that caused me to become sick, coughing, my boyfriend was also sick. There was spiders and bugs, infested, mites that we are still dealing with. The front door came completely off the hinges, so we weren’t protected at all. The fan in the bathroom didn’t work at all which is illegal, no kitchen ventilation, huge kitchen window wasn’t sealed, rotting wood with tons of flies and bugs coming in from it.
When I’d ask for a repair guy or anyone to fix it, it would take two weeks or more. The windows in my bedroom were single pane, so if the wind blew, it blew the curtains and the entire bedroom was freezing in the winter or extremely hot in the summer.
He also threw away my lamp and other furniture I told him I was going to get when I moved out.
Let me make this clear for anyone: DONT RENT WITH ANDREW HE IS THE WORST LANDLORS I’VE EVER HAD.