It is interesting to me how many people if they "can" write a comment, they find the most negative statements and judgments to make. I moved here to Janesville Garden Court apartments the end of July...without a car. My income being rather small, the percentage I pay for rent makes life easier especially not paying a heat bill. The building is designed with plenty of space and it is hard to imagine so many people live in this building. I am able to walk to most places and take the bus to where I can not walk. The staff is courteous and the police patrol this area and when the ambulance has been called, they are very efficent and come here very fast. I can walk on the streets here with no fear of any crime and the police department is near by as well as the city hall. Because of Garden Court's location, and the design of the building, there is privacy and no one can come into the building without a special key. Anyone who lives under eight hundred dollars a month needs to consider Garden Court. If I had one negative comment it would have to be that you need to be aware there are residents in every building you move to that do not respect your right to privacy, which we all have to deal with. Garden Court can be just as pleasant as you make it.. your home. I am glad I moved here. You can google me as NewEagleWings

okay i missed it 15 arrests NICE!!

i plugged 225 milton into the seach box on this site and came up with a whole bunch of arrests for poeple in this building. why dont they show up on the listlink that opinions put here??

i almost spoke to soon about no arrests at 225 milton av. well technically not at apartment but darn close.
http://gazettextra.com/news/2008/jul/31/...

stella, thanks for having the courage to leave that post.

Do not rent from these people. I did. And I never will again!!We paid every month...early.... They are rude and have no respect for their tenants!!! We gave like a 4 week notice and starting showing our place the next day.

When I bought my first property years ago. I was a tenant. The day before we were going to close the property. Bob tried evicting me for not paying my rent. I worked it out with the owner that I wouldn’t be paying the rent for the month since we were closing on the 2nd day of the month. I still think this is funny years later. Needless to say I fired them once I was the owner.

I rented an apartment from Nov07 to May08 with RkSmith. I lived in the apartments on Randall Ave right across from Dairy Queen next door to Stop N Go by Craig High School. It's mainly older people living there (I am 25) but I never had one problem with neighbors or RK Smith. Bob seemed like a good dude. No complaints from me.

I know some of his former renters who were afraid to complain because they needed references from him in order to rent elsewhere. They moved because they had babies who were endangered by mold in the unit and an electical system that an electrician deemed as unsafe. They complained once, got no help, and so they moved.

Get back to us when you don't have to depend on him anymore.

Don't know who your last sentence was directed at but it was non sequitur to the issue.

Gazettefan:

What's your point? I was just stating my experience.

It's not my fault the world is full of ingrates and whiners who aren't happy with their lives.

Irish...., your attempt to slant toward the positive wasn't entirely successful.

I rent from R.K. Smith. I've had pretty fair service with them over the last 5 years. Yes, I've had less than stellar neighbors, yes the handyman has startled me a couple times but I really have no complaints. Some of their properties are old and run down but with me, you take what you can afford. Beggars can't be choosers in today's economy.
On Saturday I moved into a R.K. Smith rental property and it's absolutely wonderful. It's a step up from where I was staying and I love it because most of the utilities are included, it's in a quiet neighborhood and it's near where I work.
Some may not like how R.K. Smith operates, but it's all about how you communicate. I've had little to no trouble with them.

i didnt see the address i am talking about with any arrests. maybe THAT is the problem . DO SOMETHING instead of just taking infomation don on your table EVEY time we call to complain!!!!.

people also drive in go to apartment and leave 3 minutes later wow just wanted to say"HI" I guess yeah right.my husband say a guy walk in and come out with a 10lb sized brown paper bag that didnt SEEM to weigh 10 lbs. I wish he would have calle don that too. but guy would have been gone by the time they got around.

Oh better yet I wonder if R.K smith is managing any of the units in the PDF

See if you know any of the properties in the top pdf file

http://www.ci.janesville.wi.us/Library/n...

http://www.ci.janesville.wi.us/Library/n...

gfan...It's the Locust st.address on ccap.

ihavealife, I have to confess: I only see what's in GazettXtra, still deciding on subscribing to the full online edition. That story(s) isn't in GazetteXtra. Someone mentioned it to me the other day.

Her residence address is 339 Locust (LOCUST!!!). Her address for the shack (carriage barn?!!!) site is West Court (Chatham corner).

Does anyone know which property(s) is in trouble?

gfan... When it was in the paper last month it didn't give a address.Have you ever seen that before??

I am surprised that someone was watching the kid.

I know all too well what your talking about.....Trash!!!!

sorry opinions you missed a few

1.if you think it is cool to hang in your grand am in the parking lot and blast the music and all you hear is ratle, rattle, boom, boom, boom.

2.if you dont fix your car cause of a flat tire.
3. you start a fire pit in your grill and use so much lighter fluid in it the neighbors can smell it and you live next to the fire department and it is a BLAZZING.

4. you peel out in your 4 cyl grand am in the gravel and do donuts and FLING gravel all over not giving a s$%T about other cars.
5. swear at your 2 year old "get out of the F$%^&*G dirt.

know what im sayin?????

Good stuff everybody.

I'm hearing B'moon (S'lord) is having some kind of forcloser property(s) problems. Good, I hope her folly of forcing the city into an expensive and pointless jury trial a couple of years ago and the subsequent fines she got has contributed to her problems.

opinion...A girl has to have a radio !! I had a beater car and the radio went out so I went to K-Mart and got a $10.00 one.By the time the car finally gave up the radio was was still singing away !! So I understand it's not what the car looks like,but how good the radio is ! LOL

Probley the same kids who threw rocks at my truck one day when I was driving past FW park

In my neighborhood, we were having problems with some tenants and their children destroying property all around them. After 2 months of solid police calls, the property owner was forced to deal with them. They moved out this weekend! Yea! Now maybe I can drive home and not have some little snot nosed kid throw rocks at my car. Kudos to JPD for the proactive response to these people.

Oh wait one more.

If you think you've made it in life cause you have a $3,000 car radio in a $200.00 car

People often ask me what I mean by trash when I explaining people in a area.

1. If you think its cool to keep a couch on your front porch.

2. If you think mowing your grass is a suggestion.

3. If you leave trash and kids toys in your front yard.

4. If you think everyone around you wants to listen to “BOOM BOOM BOOM” when you come home each day.

5. If you think having a muffler on your car isn't cool

I could go on but my fingers are tired

yellow- yes 24-48 hours notice is the rule!!!
KEEP calling the police every time those people are rude etc. eventually landlords will have to start paying for those calls. it doesnt seem to do any good to only contact the landload.GET DOCUMENTATION/police calls.
I have same problem in my neighborhood with trash behind my house. i try to call as often as i can. BUT IT DOESNT workk cause these poeple are trash and just dont get it. i guess having to "POPO " as they would say is just a part of their lifestyle and WONT change or "RESPECT" anyone else even though they use the "word" alot.

Yes, Opnions....., they won't come on here to defend the indefensible. I'm sure there are regrets about not keeping a low profile.

Maybe she can help herself: She's a slumlord.

gfan...B'Moon is going to need a place to live soon,maybe she knows some slumlords willing to help her !

Yep. I dont see any of the slumlords which we speak of on hear defending why they like running down properties and taking away the quality of living from people

Opinionsforfree, this bad thinking on their part has to do with a lack of respect for nearby properties in combination with greed.

I love landlords who think it's ok not to paint the outside of their properties because they arent going to get anymore money out of their units. Ha if these dummies had enough brains they would fix up the units and get better people living there for more money

There is a house in the general area of one of my properties that someone bought. they painted the entire outside thing flat white. Then rented it out to some lowlifes. Talk about putting the least amount of effort into something. I think you get out of what you put into a rental. That is one reason I dont paint everting white inside my units. I do nicer colors

I wonder how many little Joeys and Marys changed HOMEROOMS !!!

LOL, gfan and ihavealife...

I agree with that,our last landlord was a real piece of work.He came in and took pocket doors,lights, molding,even some flooring out of the rental.The best part was he was buying the place on land contract,when he lost the place the owner came in and just cried.Over the years (24) the house has become a real eyesore,now someone has brought it and it doesn't even look like our first apartment.

janesvillian, great info.

ihavealife, the basic mentality for many, many landlords (sometimes in conspiracy with "management" companies) is: Money For Nothing. Do as little as possible for as much as you can get. Strict enforcement of codes, and especially now the Nuisance Ordiance, should be pursued. This'll go toward a higher quality of life in town.

And sticking gum under the coffe table.

gfan...Or what about getting hit with the ruler ?You have been a naughty little boy and this is gonna hurt me more than it's gonna hurt you !

jvldude, Beloit's additional inspectors are financed by the landlord licensing they do in that city. A few months back the city council discussed doing something similar here, but decided to try the enhanced nuisance ordinance first.
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Obviously, knowing Beloit, landlord licensing does not solve all problems.
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jvldude, keep in mind that the city response is to send a letter and allow the landlord time to mitigate. The tenants also may not cooperate with the landlord. Under the nuisance ordinance, if there are sufficient violations, the city can issue a letter authorizing the landlord to evict with three days' notice and no option to cure.

ihavealife, LOL. How 'bout recess when the spouse is going nuts?!

lakennedy...If tenants were bad at Marshall Apartments did they have to stand in the corner ?? LOL

I really have to say that renting at the Marshall Apartments was an excellent experience.

gfan...That's too funny,I would have my girls watch the city council meetings when they were young.Ty was on the women voters talking and one of the girls said "spit it out buddy".From that day on we were hooked on Ty.RK is getting a lot of talk on here ,but what about the landlord that doesn't turn on the hall lights because it's his dime.Not bad apartments across from the mall,but he is a slumlord too.Nobody ever gets their deposit back because he has to paint.Even if you fill nail holes he charges you for each hole.Good luck on the snow removal ,that's not going to happen.

ihavealife, is this the right blog? Doesn't matter. Seems Ty is a good guy but it's hard to figure out what he's talking about. Maybe you can be his press secretary and interperete. LOL

gazettefan...That's what Janesville needs !! Ty Bollerud,I voted for him everytime he ran. Simple folks for me over the stuffed shirts !!

luvujvl, you should see some of the other properties Bob manages, you wouldn't be so happy with him.

PS, jvldude, sure wish you would have bought the property next to mine since Bob didn't. There seem to be very few landlords that give a hoot..thanks for your comments and your attitude to better the neighborhoods that your properties occupy. I'm sure that many many people appreciate you.

I wish Bob owned the property next to mine.....he sounds like a good guy. Unfortunately some other (expletive) bought it as a slum lord and doesn't keep it up at all - and has in effect ruined the neighborhood with his choice of tenants.

good point

What do you plan to do then? Seems like persistence is the thing.

It's funny that according to B'moon the city is on a bulldozing rampage against troublesome properties. I think it's more a matter of the city doesn't like to confront people. Hang in there. Make them not want to confront you forever.

I was commenting of this "jvldude, if you're convinced that contacting the administration won't help, then contact some council members, maybe the president.

Tomorrow you can report the problem to the council while on TV at around 7pm. You have to sign up beforehand to speak.

Here are the council members:

http://www.ci.janesville.wi.us/citysite/...

should be thing instead of this. My mistake

jvldude, I don't understand your 9:08 post.

I have 2 friends of mine that are owners of many houses in town and it is a SHAME how they are treated by the tenants!! Just the other day they had to kick out 2 of them and they knew this was coming so the decide to trash the place. Not to mention still not paying back rent. I would love to rent from 2 people such as themselves but I own my home and there is no way I can sell it and make any money. Not with the market now. Besides what I was paying in rent before it the same as my mortgage (without taxes and insuance).

Oh I have talked with the CC about this. THE CC IS ONE THIS FOLKS.....ALL TALK

A landlord has a right to evict if property maintance is part of the contact and that its not being taken care of

its 24 to enter without a emergency. If an emergency a landlord can enter with a notice (I.e a broken pipe, fire etc)

More than enough time to hide your stash.

yellow: i believe its a LAW that a landlord give you 24 hour notice before entering your property

We need Ty Bollerud to interupt this.

I might just do that. I operate under the guidelines. If you do nothing about a problem, you have no reason to complain about it.

jvldude, if you're convinced that contacting the administration won't help, then contact some council members, maybe the president.

Tomorrow you can report the problem to the council while on TV at around 7pm. You have to sign up beforehand to speak.

Here are the council members:

http://www.ci.janesville.wi.us/citysite/...

But see our city has one inspector. If our CC had any brains at all they would copy Beloit and have 3 or 4 inspectors. So if you would like to make a difference email your CC member and ask them why they won't hire more inspectors to help clean up the area. Believe it or not but everyone can make a difference.

Just went by my property in that area. The house owned by one of the slumlords has trash in the front yard, a couch on the front porch. I have called the city several times and they still do nothing so go figure. Hence the statement in my first comment

jvldude, sounds like you're a good one.

Too many aren't though. As long as the money rolls in there's no concern for how blighted properties and low-life tenants negatively affect the lives of the people who rent or own the nearby properties. Scroll up.

gazettefan, good for you for reconsidering your own comment.

I am a landlord myself, but i am more of a hands on landlord, rather than some that use the out of site out of mind approach. I screen my tenants very throughly and haven't had a problem yet. My tenants are clean quiet, and respectable. The way i look at it. Its my responsibility to keep track of what is going on at my properties and to correct when problems arise. Too bad not all landlords understood that simple concept

At about 9:20am I requested that site staff remove my 9:12am post. I did this because I thought that there is the possibility that I was borderline breaking the rules below. I stand by what I said in that post. The responsibility for its continued appearance here remains with site staff.

i hope youre right jansevillian. there really are some gorgeous house in the ward that are being neglected. That could be a great area if they clean it up.

jvldude, those of us who live in the Fourth Ward are happy at the progress that is being made. We still have a few "hot spots" and definitely some uncaring landlords, but the nuisance ordinance is already showing benefits and is probably making a number of landlords think twice about who they rent to. According to Police Chief Mahan, last year there were several properties that received letters from him about the number of arrests there, and the landlords were cooperative in every situation.
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Obviously we still have problems as the police report this weekend shows and I could tell you what the hot spots are. I can say that I live on a corner where we had shots fired situations three summers running, and this summer it's so quiet I can hear the mosquitoes.
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lakennedy, putting on my landlord hat, there is no "standard" screening process and I don't know that there should be. For us it basically involves looking people up on WCCA and making sure they don't have evictions, violent crime, domestic violence, or drug distribution convictions. We don't have the resources, nor do most small landlords, to do nationwide criminal background checks or credit checks. Nor can we ensure (in advance or otherwise) that relatives and boyfriends are clean.
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We are carefully watching the criminal proceedings against one tenant's grandchild's boyfriend. He's not our tenant, but he's living there, according to the court case. Obviously we couldn't have screened for him.
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I don't have a really positive opinion about JARPA but I do think the classes are a good idea and definitely improved communication with the city is a good idea. It is a membership organization so anyone with the $$$ can join (it's too expensive for small landlords, though). JARPA's role is education. The city's role is enforcement, because the city represents the community.

Unfortunately I've been renting my apartment for a few years from RK Smith. A few months ago I got new neighbors... COMPLETE TRASH. The police have already made a few visits there for disturbances; and they have threatened me; and they are sooo loud.
Also, I needed something repaired and called the office. They said someone would fix it "soon" and asked if I'm usually home during the day, or should they send someone with a key. I said I'm home during the day. About 2 1/2 to 3 weeks went by, nothing. I thought they forgot about me and I was going to call them back.... until one day I hear something outside, I look out the window and see a man sticking a key in my door (he didn't even knock). When he opened to door I was standing there, I almost gave him a heart attack. He apologized and said RK Smith told him nobody would be home. What if I would've been naked!? What if I wouldn't have been there and came home to find some strange man in my house!? Shouldn't they have given me 24-48 hours notice before sending somebody with a key to my house since it had been weeks??

That's too bad, those houses have such potential. Some are just beautiful. I think there is a mindset amongst some renters that the place they rent isn't technically "theirs", so why bother?
I wonder what exactly the screening process is for renters? Is it universal, or does it vary? If so, how much does it vary?

good points jvldude. I havent been around janesville my whole life but just in the 10 or so years ive been here the fourthward has deteriorated terribly. To the point where i wont drive through there unless I absolutely have to. There are some very good, respectful people there and they have to put up with all the trash.

I have a good friend that lives there and he wants out. to much BS for him and his family.

The forthward didn't used to be as bad as it is now I remember as a kid it was very nice compared to what it is now. but since JARPA is in bed with the City council. Nothing will ever be done to help this historic area come around. Most landlords know they can but properties cheap in that area basically do nothing to them, and in turn rent them to undesirable people. There needs to be some intervention from the city or eventually there will be nothing but rentals in that area as the good law abiding hardworking folks who try to take care of their properties will all leave. I applaud all the folks who live in that area who take pride in what they have.

Everything is new there and not in need of repair.

I rented 2 properties from Bob and they were both very nice places. I was going through a divorce and he was VERY nice and helpful to me. They have some really nice places on the northeast side of town.

True.

True, jvldude. With cruel disregard for the homeowners who live near those slum properties.

All they care about is the money.

I know for a fact the JARPA houses quite a few slumlords. So they may act like they doing some good they aren't. They are adding to the problem by not screening their tenants throughly or fixing out their properties

Janesville Area Rental Property should have a class to teach some of their landlords. How not to be slumlords