Don't even think ab out renting at Highlands Villa!
I had to rent an apartment sight-unseen and found the Highlands on the Web. I called the leasing agent, B.J. Spalding, and asked a lot of questions. She refused to send me photos of the unit, refused to send me floor plans, refused to send a copy of the lease, and assured me the photos on the website accurately depicted the unit. As I needed an apartment that would allow pets (cats), and I wanted a rental in a rural setting, I told her to reserve a unit for me. On arrival, I completed an application but there was no lease and I was told the lease would be available for me to sign later. I gave three checks for one month's rent, a duplicate amount for a security deposit, and a $300 pet deposit. The unit was not clean and the leasing agent's son was hurridly trying to clean the unit. There also was no water. I moved in and began finding numerous maintenance problems and discrepancies that did not fit the website descriptions and amenities. The noise level in the unit was awful, with tenants upstairs and traffic noise. The leasing agent also insisted that I use her recommended vendors for TV cable, but I already had made other arrangements. On Monday morning and after only two nights and still without water, I gave the leasing agent a list of maintenance issues and concerns.
When I complained about the noise, she said I should not try to sleep in the front bedroom, but to use the second one, that had no windows and an extremely narrow door. Shortly after, the leasing agent left the list on my door saying if I were not satisfied with the unit, I could vacate immediately and my checks would be returned. I also was told "any apartment will have maintenance problems, " but no offer was made to address the problems I had noted. I moved out immediately, leaving the unit much cleaner than I found it. The next day, I returned to do a walkthrough with the leasing agent and she noted no damage or problems. She returned the first month's rent and the security deposit, but kept the pet deposit, saying it was not refundable. This occurred even without a lease. If you are interested in the Highlands, stay as far away as you can. I later checked with work associates in state government, and they had family members who received the same treatment. By the way, found a much nicer unit for much less rent in nearby Jefferson City.