Mason Properties

Mason Property 's is Dekalb's number one property rental for apartments housing for NIU students and locals in Dekalb Sycamore area very professional people clean apartments. Everything works very good neighbors. They run a tight ship. I don't plan on going anywhere for a long time. Love the girls in the office also very helpful very friendly.
Please excuse the no punctuation. I am voice texting.
RR #6

Not a good place to rent - filthy, old, stinks and no updates on anything. Stay away!!!

Good luck renting from this place. Depending on who you talk to the rules are different. They find new stuff to charge you for every time you go in. Rent any other place in dekalb besides Mason

Tony B is very professional and handles maintaining the apartments in a timely manner.

Do not rent from Mason Properties! Their properties are filthy people loitering in the hallway, breaking into mailboxes and doing drugs and selling drugs.. Mason Properties closed the laundry rooms because of this THEN after complaining to Mason Properties and calling 911 on numerous occasions and complaining about illegal activity happening in the hallways Mason Properties gave me an eviction notice., See Mason properties does this because (City of Dekalb will hold Mason Properties liable for crimes and violence in or on their properties) if there are so many crimes committed on their property their property will be closed down. They figure they will get their money anyway because inside the eviction notice from Mason Properties it will say that you owe them for the remaining time on the lease (Scam) don't believe Mason Properties go to court even if you owe them rent the judge will rule in your favor and you will not have to pay out the remaining time on the lease. (SCAM) Be sure to do the walkthrough with Mason Properties when you move out! They will tell you can't because they always try to keep your deposit! Mason Properties then takes black and white pictures stating that these areas of the apartment are dirty when they are not (Scam) Mason Properties will try to charge you to clean the carpet when you move out but Illinois State law states it's the owners responsibility when a tenant moves out. They will do anything to try to ruin your credit and say that you owe them money or keep your deposit! The Masons are scammers.

I realize it is difficult, as Mason Properties owns a majority of college apartments in DeKalb area..... but if at all possible, I would refrain from having to rent from them.

I had 2 daughters living in separate apartments at 1120 Varsity Blvd. The building is unkept. Every time I went to visit....the hallways/stairways were disgusting & smelly. There was always garbage, cigarettes, 1/2 eaten food & I guess junk people no longer wanted in the stairwells. Not to mention, it always smelled like weed. Often times the outside doors that are suppose to lock, did not lock. This is unsettling a parent since there has been crimes at the building.... including gunshots and domestic violence calls.

Maintenance has no urgency to get things done. One daughter had cold shower water for sometime before it ever got handled. She also had what appeared to be black mold on her ceiling (with holes). They did come to "fix" it, which consisted of taping and mudding over it. The the tape starting coming off again and they never bothered to come fix it again after my daughter called to have it repaired for the 2nd time.

One of my daughters recently moved out. She did a very good job cleaning her apartment, she sent pictures to me to ensure it looked clean enough. She received only $187 back of her $610 security deposit. Upon review of Mason properties 4 page move out inspection...every single item (aside of the smoke alarm) said "dirty", some also had a comment that said "dust". There was not one item that said damaged or broke. They had "replaced" on the blinds.... however there was nothing broke on them in the photo she sent me, nor was it marked broke on the inspection sheet, just dirty/dusty. When I am referring to all the items on inspection list.... I am referring to closet hanger rod, A/C cover, floor heaters, water heater, water spots in sink, sink/toilet pipes, toilet paper holder, outlet covers, door knobs.

My understanding is that a security deposit is to be withheld for damages beyond normal wear & tear.....not for dust on ridiculous things that no college kid would think to "dust off". I feel that Mason properties takes advantage of college kids, even the ones who actually take care of their rental properties and don't have parties causing actual damage.

Lastly, I did call Mason Properites regarding it. They advised if I had questions, I would need to e-mail Mrs. Mason. I did so.....twice! She did not event have the decency to respond. Shows you she cares zero about the people she is renting to..... only getting rich off them.

Carpets were filthy when they gave us the keys and they take their time on repairs, even a/c when it's hot out. They generally just want to collect rent and nothing more. Most of the staff is uncaring. Poor leadership from the top down. I would look elsewhere

Zero stars would be more accurate. Be prepared to loose your deposit and have no privacy. Employees walk in to your place like if it is a public place. Always try to find ways to fine you and tow you car away. The most horrible place I have seen. Avoid it at all cost...

Do not rent. As dozens of reviews say, they will nickel and dime your whole deposit away. If you must rent, video the apartment before you move in, after you move out, and write literally anything and everything on your move in paperwork because they will charge you for it.
Cleaning estimates include 5 mins to clean EACH "dusty" switch and outlet. But they will give you a 20% cleaning credit for wear and tear. They claim that this credit has covered other tenants whole cleaning costs. I'm still trying to understand how a 20% credit can cover a persons whole cost.
Rent at your own risk.

If I could post a 0 star review, I would. There's a reason you can't review this company on other sites, so I can only hope people will find current reviews here and on Google. Everything about this company is sketchy - from accepting wads of cash to allowing college students to sign with no parental overview or co-signing. Their list of fees to replace their own lousy appliances if broken and charged to the tenant(s) is insane. Perhaps once a time, the initial owners were decent, family-type landlords but they are seemingly retired. The office staff and whoever is now "in charge" are nothing but a bunch of grifters who give slumlords a bad name. Rent at your own risk, be ready to lose most of your security deposit and be treated poorly!