Lakeside Village

I’ve been renting with Ardent Communities since I was 20—I’m now 28—and I’ve never had such an exhausting, unhappy, and unfair experience as I have at Lakeside Village. Emails are ignored unless it involves a new fee or fine—then suddenly there’s action. I was recently charged $400 for power washing, something that falls under community upkeep and curb appeal. As a property manager myself, I know that’s not something to bill tenants. Then, a $50 fine was added over what they claimed was dog waste, but was actually trash leakage from a bag I briefly placed outside (under 5 minutes) to avoid it leaking indoors. Right across from me, trash sat for days with no action until I pointed it out—only then did they fine those residents. I was upfront about mine, even called them, and was still penalized while others are ignored. I can gather evidence to show I’m being treated unfairly or even retaliated against. I’ve paid some charges already and sent proof multiple times. I’ve asked for a full ledger since move-in because I no longer trust what’s posted. I’ve been told charges were cleared, only for them to pop back up later. There’s no consistency or transparency. I feel singled out. Other residents with clear exterior damage aren’t being fined like I am. It feels personal. I've talked to neighbors who feel the same. This entire process makes me regret signing this lease. I have photos, videos, and a full paper trail. I’m not writing out of anger—I’ve tried to do everything right, but I keep getting met with silence and more charges. At this point, I just want to finish my lease peacefully, keep my kids safe, and move into my new home in a few months. These random charges are hurting my ability to care for them. If I hit the lottery (and I don’t even play), I’d break the lease that same day. That’s how done I am. No family should go broke just to keep a roof over their heads in a place that doesn’t respect them. The worst part? They only act when it’s about money—not when a resident needs help. As a mother, it’s disheartening. To anyone thinking of moving here: I wouldn’t wish this stress on anyone.

Im sick of this place. I originally chose the location because it was a new complex but i feel like i live in the projects. We pay for these so called amenities we can’t even use! How is the clubhouse with the pool table only open during business hours? Why is our pool still closed in June? And I put in a maintenance request a week ago that still hasn’t been addressed.

Relocating from Cincinnati to Columbus was a big move, but my experience with this apartment complex made the transition completely seamless. From the very beginning, the leasing process was smooth, and everything was handled professionally and efficiently. A special shoutout to entire staff Jo amazing however Trease, who has been absolutely amazing! Her customer service is top-tier—she’s always friendly, responsive, and willing to go the extra mile to assist with whatever I need. Whether it was answering questions, handling paperwork, or making sure I felt comfortable in my new home, she’s been a true lifesaver. If you’re looking for a stress-free move with a team that genuinely cares, I highly recommend this community. Thank you for making my relocation such a great experience!