The Residences at Bella Terra - Huntington Beach, California

Gina S.

Now, I’ll be honest—I submitted my application signed lease virtually and felt unease for 2 months prior to move in because of the reviews I read. I may just be fortunate and landed a great location on the property but my experience has been wonderful!
I worried about theft (especially leaving Bay Area which crime is just out of control), I worried about neighbors, trash, and potential issues compromising safety.
So far, I’ve experienced over the last month:
Gates always fully functioning, fire alarm (knock on wood) has not gone off once in my apartment or location, though I’ve heard it near by a few times for a matter of seconds. No issues with dog droppings & areas I’ve ventured are clean. BBQ’s in court yards are spotless. My parking is near the entrance to the hallway that leads to apartments and I’ve had no issues.
I selected a corner apartment, 3rd floor that looks down to courtyard. Naturally, sound bounces off the walls, but nothing that is not to be expected living in a large apartment complex. Balcony’s facing businesses will endure additional noise so selecting a balcony/bedroom windows with courtyard for more serene environment would be your best bet. Anything facing outside perimeter will naturally have increased noise especially at night when noise seems to be more pronounced and echos as temperature goes down at night and parking lots are empty. So, know, that bedroom windows would be open to that and could be frustrating.
Apartments move fast here. I had a few maintenance needs on move in day and staff from leasing did walk through, after I followed up with these concerns. Alice submitted work orders and it was done that same next day! Additionally, I was given two days rent free for the inconvenience.
I’m a firm believer your approach, energy and respect gets you much farther and help is there. Customer service has been great (for me) because I know things happen.
I haven’t seen people in the stairways, but periodically see weird trash indicating someone that resides here left it or someone was possibly in stairway. I haven’t seen any homeless around the building facing Costco which location I live in. Not all people respect the smoke free environment which trails up buildings and can go straight into others apartments. I addressed this and action steps were discussed so leasing can contact that person or send notices to residents in area that the smoking on patio occurs.
Costco, shopping, everything for daily needs a 5-10 min walk away! Costco carts come in handy for groceries and helped me unload my car during my move. Parking made simple when you have guest using Costco parking garage 5th floor if needed. Time limits do apply though (24 hours) or you risk being towed.
I was initially, so stressed before move in but I know my tenant rights so I just trusted this process and my decision to rent here. And, lo and behold, I am pleasantly surprised and very very happy!
Ps. No bugs in my apartment. No issues with parcels or when packages left at my door. When you get a delivery, read your notifications when delivered! We live in a day and age that if there’s an opportunity, people take it—taking yoo Amazon packages!
And no issues connecting to smart home/internet. Besides instances that internet might be down due server issues. But happened one time, in late evening.

Dasha D.

THIS BUILDING IS A DUMPSTER FIRE, AN ABSOLUTE AND COMPLETE DISASTER

Since moving in eight months ago, I’ve faced one issue after another, while office workers don't even bother to acknowledge your existence!

1. Packages have been stolen multiple times, while front office workers addressed the problem in an unhelpful, condescending way.

2. The thermostat broke in the summer, making it unbearable at over 85 degrees indoors.

3. The amenities (like the jacuzzi and pool) are being closed down at random, while maintenance is slow and unreliable.

4. My washing machine has broken repeatedly, causing water damage to the floor, which took weeks to fix.

5. The sink clogs bi-weekly, and even the shower water sometimes runs cold.

6. Adding to the disaster, I got trapped in an elevator that they knew was broken, but it took hours for them to alert residents. They didn’t even put an “Out of Order” sign on it!

7. Safety here is another issue—the complex is apparently a high crime spot, with homeless people living here rent-free and frequent break-ins into the mailroom.

8. On top of that, they rent amenities to questionable people without any background checks, adding to the uneasy environment.

For a one-bedroom apartment costing over $3,000, this place is an absolute disaster.

Last week I tried reaching out to request early lease termination, citing California Civil Code §1951.2, which allows for lease termination in certain situations, especially when property conditions impact its enjoyment. But, unsurprisingly, my email was completely ignored by lazy irresponsible front office workers.

For over $3,000 a month for a one-bedroom, this place is an absolute disaster.
Avoid Bella Terra if you value your sanity!

Lewis

This is a hotel for large dogs. The management don't enforce the rules and most of the people living here aren't american nor do they understand rules or following rules
I will add pictures.
Also they use a security company around the building that is only concerned with towing vehicles with their towing partner for profit. My friends get their cars vandalized just for visiting for a few hours .Lots of questionable activities going on around the building and nothing is done until one day there is 8 police cars. Police are at the building regularly for some kind of incident.

The gym is always full with people who just walk in from off the street, friends and relatives of the actual residents. The gym is always full of non residents and it's like going to planet fitness
The building uses unlicensed vendors to make repairs

Serkan S.

Do not rent here.

Property management is clearly scammers. They will put crazy terms in your agreement and then charge you for everything. One example, if you move out on the second of the month, you’ll pay rent for those two days (which is ok) but then they will charge you for trash, parking, technology etc for a full month. They will force you to do professional cleaning for $260 with the company they are contracted with. They manufactured an extra $600 on checkout.

Dishonest people, outrageous mismanagement, crazy prices, old and tiny units, trash rooms always full and stinky, elevators are out of service half the time. Shame on these people.

Worst place you can find in OC.

Marie

I recently moved into The Residences at Bella Terra and I have an amazing experience. The apartment is beautiful (everything functions as it should), the amenities are fabulous, the property is clean and the location is prime. I feel safe, especially at night when walking the dog. Above all, the staff at The Residences have been so friendly, helpful and responsive.

Jaquelyn N.

I’ve lived here for a little over two years now and have absolutely loved my experience so far. Maintenance always addresses our concerns in a timely manner. The office staff is helpful when we have questions. Our neighbors are kind. The only thing that’s unfortunate is the lack of sunlight that our unit gets, but that’s just bad luck. We’re overall very happy living here 🙂

Kathie M.

Thanks Sidney,
Unfortunately Maranda let me know that Bella Terra wanted to keep the increased pricing of $3550 On unit 3606 which is $100.00 per month more than unit 2244 which is the exact same size and space. In which case I withdraw my very fair offer and would go to a property outside of UDR.

After my first visit which wasnt so great, the team asked me to come back and we toured last weekend. I am interested in the 2/2 unit #3603 if it would be priced to the exact same unit 2244. There is a difference of 100/month. If that is acceptable to match the pricing for 2244 then I would apply and prepare to move in November. There will be no issues with my application.
Please advise if this is acceptable to management.
Thank you
Kathie

BRGNDY D.

First, these are NOT luxury apartments - I have never written a review, but feel compelled due to the negligence of front-office management and corporate during the pandemic. More startling is the total disregard for security at the property - people's cars have been broken into, cars stolen, and when you try and contact the front office they either don't respond or give you the run-around - even when a police report is filed they don't hand over camera footage (a lot of residences have a suspicion that the cameras don't actually work in certain areas) - there are numerous fire extinguishers and elevators that have not been inspected/replaced/fixed.

As others have noted, there are numerous maintenance issues with a under-staffed maintenance crew. This is one of the noisiest properties and management does nothing to ensure the quiet enjoyment for the residents. You will hear music blasting during at all hours, the gate is always broken - and the worst thing is it lets in non-residents who steal packages on a regular basis. Many residents have seen people prying open the gate or stealing packages and even after reporting it the rent-a-cop service they hired nothing is actually done to increase patrols/safety - again, likely because the cameras don't actually work and they don't want to cooperate.

The all-in cost for living here is insane compared to the non-luxury service, as they add so many extra costs. They closed all the amenities during the lock-downs, but kept all the air-conditioning, lights, and TV's in them running! You'll notice a lot of reviews mention unsanitary conditions in the trash area and due to irresponsible pet-owners allowing their pets to 1/2 everywhere - this is sadly true and a real problem - you have to actively watch where you walk. The entrance to the parking lot looks like a jackson pollock - and the front office doesn't put up any signs or send regular notices about this (they send an email once in a rare while, but sadly that doesn't cut it for the prices charged).

UDR is a publicly traded company, so their incentives are not aligned to assist. I will personally avoid their properties moving forward.

You will never receive a human and helpful response from the front-office/corporate - only a corporate run-around - it's incredibly frustrating and no one wants to have anxiety where they live on top of everything else they have going on. This is truly a take your money and run place and it should NOT be marketed as a luxury complex. Please read all the reviews and you will see how poorly run this place is - again, I don't like writing reviews, especially negative ones, but this one has been well earned. The front-office/corporate is wasteful, incompetent, and are putting people's safety at risk. Would highly recommend finding another place to live - do a careful walk around if you do visit - sadly, doesn't look like front-office/management will be changing things anytime soon as these problems have been around for quite a while.