Merino at Scottsdale Apartments

Avoid Baron properties in general. I started off my lease at a different Baron property that was uninhabitable. After speaking with higher ups within the property management company, they allowed me to get out of the old lease and start a different one at their sister property Merino at Scottsdale. I had to pay a higher amount in rent per month at the new location, but it was the only way I could get out of the uninhabitable apartment without breaking my lease. I ended up having to pay over $300... more a month and didn't even get to pick the location/size of the new apartment because there was limited availability. The apartments at Merino at Scottsdale are terribly built. They use the cheapest everything. The apartments are extremely poorly insulated, so it is cold in the apartment all the time. They are also super loud with both noise from McDowell Rd, the parking lot, and the surrounding apartments on every side. I live on the second floor so there is no one above me, but I can still hear every little noise in the surrounding apartments. I hear neighbors loud music, couples arguing, etc. When I initially moved in, my neighbor below me offered me crack to smoke. I told him no thank you. The parking situation is a mess, people always park in my assigned spot and the towing company takes forever. The public parking is super far from my unit so it is very inconvenient, especially if I have groceries to bring in. Not to mention that almost every appliance in my apartment has need worked on. My A/C unit is crazy loud because of the design of the apartment, it is in a spot that creates an echo. The washer and dishwasher needed fixed because it wasn't draining, the hot/cold water switch sides, the garbage disposal broke, and my door needed fixed. They also would have raised my rent if I would have renewed even though they have done no renovations to my unit. I opted out of renewal for obvious reasons and can't wait to move out. Read More

This place was a gem before Merino took over. I was planning on living here, happily, for a long time and had no complaints. Since Merino has taken over, I've lived in an active construction zone for the last 8 months and they will not be done any time soon. Management has zero people skills, horrible communication skills and do not know how to make their tenants feel heard or validated for our concerns. Don't trust these people, they're slimy.

The new owners are cutting costs and price gouging tenants - everyone is moving out because of this. New managers talk down to tenants and treat them poorly. The apartment grounds look nasty, new maintenance doesn't maintain the property and doesn't know how to fix anything - and that's when they're not leering at tenants. At this rate, there won't be anyone left within a year and the place will close down.

The new property owners have desecrated this complex. There are rows of unoccupied units because they’ve terminated every tenant’s lease. Water is shut off for days at a time, industrial sized dumpsters are obstructing roughly 15 of the uncovered parking spaces. Pool area is being demolished. Office is unreachable for any inquiries even during normal business hours.

Without going into to much detail, to retain anonymity, I have had a very disappointing experience with the new management company. All previous reviews prior to May 2022 are irrelevant because the management company has changed. If you are considering living here, I highly recommend you reconsider. It’s not worth it to pay as much as they are asking for terrible management with no amenities. I miss the old place! Will provide a more detailed review with specifics when I move out.