The Associated Management Company

Pros

• The management company is described as the best in the industry.
• The owners are amazing.
• Porthaven Manor is described as the best senior facility, with an amazing experience and a caring, friendly staff.
• Associated Management is described as one of the easiest companies to work for, with quick invoice payments and responsive, friendly employees.

Cons

• RiverTowers tenants feel unsafe due to elevator outages, forcing walkers and mobility-device users to go down stairs and risk injury.
• The removal of entry gates has allowed non-residents to access the building, compromising tenant safety.
• Internal partying and disturbances have eroded the peace of the senior building, with residents facing hostility when they protest.
• Reduction of Services has driven tenants to protest in the street to have services restored.
• A review accuses the management of withholding the security deposit, giving a wrong address, poor communication, and underhanded practices.
• One comment labels the management as completely ignorant and incompetent.

Review

A broad snapshot from tenants, family members, and vendors reveals a wide range of experiences with senior housing properties associated with Associated Management and its properties in the Detroit area. The thread of feedback runs from urgent safety concerns to surprisingly positive notes about certain facilities and personnel, illustrating how a single management company can overseen environments that feel radically different depending on the building and the specific staff on site.

At RiverTowers on Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, the mood among elderly residents is tense and anxious. Reported issues include elevators that are frequently out of service, forcing tenants who use stairs to navigate multiple floors and risk serious accidents. For those who rely on walkers or wheelchairs, the problem is intensified by long delays and uncertainty as they wait for assistance or accessibility. A green light outside the building gives a sense of normalcy, but it is starkly contrasted by the removal of entry gates that once restricted access to tenants. With those gates gone, outsiders can drive or walk around the perimeter and potentially enter the building, raising concerns about safety and the potential for harassment or predation. The situation is further complicated by internal disturbances - partying inside the building disrupts the peace that residents once valued, and attempts to protest or raise concerns are implied to be discouraged by some. The overall refrain is a call for the restoration of access control and a return to a safer, quieter environment. Safety, clearly, remains the top priority for residents, who urge careful consideration by anyone placing a loved one in such a setting.

The residents' frustration appears to be tied to what they perceive as a "reduction of services" and a willingness to take to the streets to demand changes. The sentiment is not merely about comfort or convenience; it speaks to real concerns about safety, mobility, and the ability to live with dignity and independence in an environment that feels controlled and secure. The protests they mention underscore a broader fear: that without proper management attention to security and accessibility, elderly tenants become vulnerable in ways that are difficult to reverse. In that sense, the RiverTowers experience reads as a cautionary tale about maintenance, access control, and responsive service in senior housing, where even small lapses in safety protocols can create a sense of ongoing risk for residents and their families.

Not all reviews, however, follow a single narrative about Associated Management. A separate stream of opinions highlights more positive experiences with the company and its leadership. One reviewer hails Associated Management as "the best management company in the industry" and credits the owners with being amazing, suggesting strong leadership and a favorable impression of the company's direction. This perspective contrasts sharply with the safety concerns raised at RiverTowers, reminding readers that the performance of a management company can vary widely from property to property and even from issue to issue.

Another point of contention centers on financial practices, specifically security deposits. One reviewer claimed that the company attempted to keep their security deposit and accused them of sending a response letter to the wrong address, which could have delayed their reply. The complaint goes further, alleging that the contact person (Tammy Garrison) was not listed in the directory, and that phone contact was unreliable, with voicemail box reportedly full and no response. The reviewer warned others to be wary of what they described as "underhanded" practices and indicated intent to pursue a double deposit refund through legal channels. This narrative adds a layer of distrust about administrative processes and communication, suggesting that even when a company is well-regarded in some quarters, individual experiences with deposits and correspondence can be fraught with frustration and potential misunderstandings.

Against the mixed reviews, there are also bright spots - especially around the quality of care in other senior facilities mentioned in the same broad tapestry of comments. A positive review of Porthaven Manor describes it as the best senior facility the writer has encountered, filled with games, activities, entertainment, and staff who are caring and friendly. The sentiment is that such a setting supports independence while providing the social and recreational structure that many seniors appreciate. The description paints a picture of well-run programming and attentive staff, presenting an important counterpoint to the safety and service concerns raised about RiverTowers. In this account, the environment feels welcoming, well-managed, and conducive to a dignified senior lifestyle.

From another angle, longevity in the working relationship with Associated Management is cited by a vendor who has collaborated with the company for more than a decade. The reviewer describes Associated Management as one of the easiest companies to work for, praising the speed of invoice payments and the accessibility of the staff when questions arise. The tone is consistently positive, expressing confidence in the team's responsiveness and courtesy. This vendor perspective reinforces the notion that the performance of a management company is not monolithic; positive experiences can coexist with significant complaints in other properties or scenarios, depending on local leadership, on-going maintenance, and day-to-day operations.

The collection of feedback also includes a bare, single-word sentiment - an abrupt note simply stating "Complete ignorance and incompetence" - and a short, isolated fragment "Working." These terse comments suggest that some reviewers found certain aspects or interactions so unsatisfactory that they reduced their appraisal to a single negative summary, while others felt able to acknowledge functioning aspects of the organization. They serve as reminders that the user experience can be uneven, with occasional interactions leaving a lasting impression that is hard to balance against more favorable reports.

Taken together, the available reviews present a mosaic of experiences with Associated Management and the properties it oversees. The RiverTowers concerns highlight a real need for vigilant safety measures, reliable accessibility, and clear, prompt communication with residents and families. At the same time, positive anecdotes about other properties, such as Porthaven Manor, alongside favorable vendor relationships, illustrate that well-run programs, engaged leadership, and responsive administration can coexist with safety and service challenges in a different property or at a different time. For families evaluating senior housing, the message appears to be to conduct thorough on-site visits, verify accessibility and safety features, review deposit practices and communications policies, and listen to multiple voices - from residents, family members, and independent vendors - to form a balanced view of what each building can truly offer.

Dearborn, Michigan is a diverse and vibrant community with a range of amenities for senior living. The area offers easy access to quality healthcare facilities such as Ophthalmic Specialists of Michigan and Garden City Hospital Medical Office Building. There are also numerous cafes like Starbucks and Qahwah House for socializing and enjoying a cup of coffee. Parks such as Ford Field Park and Heritage Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. The area is home to a variety of dining options, including Ford's Garage Dearborn and The Halal Guys. Places of worship like the Church of the Divine Child cater to spiritual needs, while pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS make accessing medications convenient. Nearby Beaumont Dearborn Hospital ensures quick medical attention in case of emergencies. Transportation options like Avis Rent A Car and Enterprise Rent-A-Car provide flexibility for getting around town, while Emagine Theatres offer entertainment options for leisurely evenings. Overall, this part of Dearborn offers a blend of convenience, healthcare access, recreational opportunities, and community resources that may appeal to seniors looking for a welcoming place to call home.

Physicians

• Ophthalmic Specialists of Michigan - Dearborn Office (0.7 miles)
• Dearborn Obstetrical & Gynecological Assoc PC (1.1 miles)
• Garden City Hospital Medical Office Building (3.3 miles)
• Botsford Primary Care Physician (3.4 miles)
• Allen Park Family Physicians (4.1 miles)
• Michigan Eyecare Institute (4.5 miles)
• Park medical center (5.8 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.8 miles)
• Qahwah House (1 miles)
• Tim Hortons (1.8 miles)
• Tim Hortons (4.8 miles)
• Qahwah House (5.1 miles)
• Starbucks (6.3 miles)
• Biggby Coffee of Westland (7.2 miles)

Parks

• Ford Field Park (1.2 miles)
• Schemansky Park (1.7 miles)
• Garden City Park (4.2 miles)
• Hemlock Park (5 miles)
• Heritage Park (6 miles)

Restaurants

• Ford's Garage Dearborn (1.3 miles)
• The Lava Lounge Too (1.7 miles)
• SKY Lounge West (1.7 miles)
• The Halal Guys (2.6 miles)
• Wendy's (2.8 miles)
• Taco Bell (3.3 miles)
• Big League Brews (3.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of the Divine Child (1.5 miles)
• Masjid Salam (4.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Beaumont Dearborn Hospital (2.7 miles)
• Oakwood Annapolis Hospital (5.6 miles)

Transportation

• Avis Rent A Car (4.2 miles)
• Hertz Rent A Car (5.8 miles)
• Budget Rent A Car (5.9 miles)
• National Car Rental (5.9 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (6 miles)
• DTW Delta Cargo (6.3 miles)
• Concourse D (6.9 miles)

Theaters

• Emagine Theatres (8.2 miles)