Not Recommended – Ongoing Safety and Service Issues
September 7, 2025 - Review from Apartments.com
I do not recommend Cortland University City as a safe or professionally managed place to live. My experience has been marked by repeated service failures, unresolved maintenance issues, and a concerning lack of accountability from management.
For months, the key fob system on my building was broken. Although the door would lock, residents were unable to gain entry using their issued fobs. One evening after work, I was locked out with my child and contacted the leasing office. The agent confirmed ...
that her fob—identical to mine—also failed to work, acknowledging that the issue was known and ongoing. I was told to “call a neighbor” to let me in, despite having no contact information for anyone in the building. My son and I waited outside for over 30 minutes until someone exited the building. This is a clear safety and accessibility concern, especially for families and individuals returning home late.
While the maintenance team responds quickly, they consistently apply temporary fixes rather than resolving root issues. My most recent experience was especially unacceptable. I submitted a work order to address chipped paint behind the door—normal wear and tear. Instead of sending someone to complete the repair, I was told to bring my own container to the office to receive paint and do it myself. Two days later, a maintenance worker arrived unannounced and painted not only the requested area but others he deemed necessary. The result was a poorly executed, two-toned wall. I immediately notified the office to document the damage and avoid being charged upon move-out.
This is not the first time Cortland staff have failed to provide satisfactory service. The lack of professionalism, disregard for tenant concerns, and failure to uphold basic standards of property management have led me to terminate my lease early. I am formally documenting this as a breach of contract and failure to provide essential services.
I strongly urge corporate leadership to investigate the operations at this location. Residents deserve better.
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Property Manager Responded
October 3, 2025
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We’re truly sorry to hear about the challenges you and your family encountered during your time at Cortland University City. Your concerns about safety, maintenance, and overall service are important to us, and we understand how frustrating and concerning these situations must have been. Since your residency, our community has undergone a change in management, and we are actively working to improve both our service standards and communication with residents.
While we’re glad to hear that our service team was responsive, it’s clear that we did not meet your expectations in providing consistent and satisfactory resolutions. Please know that your feedback is being taken seriously as we continue to strengthen our operations and accountability. If you'd like to discuss your experience further or if there is anything we can do for you, please feel welcome to reach out to us at universitycity@cortland.com.
-The Cortland ...
University City team
Pets Allowed.