Hickory Hollow Cooperative

Pros

• The property manager Joy is very nice.
• Hickory Hollow is described by residents as a nice place to live.
• The 2018 secretary is very nice and helpful.
• The grounds are kept well and the community looks great.
• The area is somewhat peaceful and quiet.
• Maintenance is reported to respond quickly to issues.
• The complex is clean according to some residents.
• The new management is praised for prompt and fair responses.

Cons

• They describe the management as neglectful slumlords who refuse repairs or unit upgrades.
• They report black mold in bathrooms and generally poor ventilation.
• They claim there have been carbon monoxide poisoning deaths in the units, making the property seem unsafe.
• They say the property manager is unprofessional and disrespectful, with the main office door reportedly kept locked.
• They state deposits are not refunded and residents are charged for painting and carpet regardless of tenure.
• They complain maintenance is slow or unresponsive, with frequent delays and sometimes emergency visits being charged.
• They accuse staff of rude behavior and unauthorized entry, leading to higher electricity bills or other issues.
• They describe pest problems (carpenter ants) and outdated, poorly maintained units.
• They allege aggressive, fee-driven management that enforces upkeep, imposes "buy-in" fees, and imposes punitive parking rules.

Review

Hickory Hollow comes through in reviews as a place with a troubling pattern: many tenants describe a neglected property, frequent maintenance delays, and management that seems more focused on fees and appearances than on keeping the buildings safe and livable. Across dozens of accounts, residents paint a picture of units that are not upgraded or repaired for years, with persistent problems like mold in bathrooms, poor ventilation, and leaks that recur in the basement. Several tenants emphasize that the property appears to prioritize money - through deposits, painting and carpet charges, and a rising "membership" or buy-in - over actual improvements to living conditions. The overall impression is that of a slumlord dynamic, especially for those who have stayed for many years and watched problems go unaddressed.

Maintenance and repairs are a dominant thread in these reviews. Tenants repeatedly report heating failures in winter, refrigerators that stop cooling, broken doors that fall off hinges, and water intrusions that recur after every heavy rain. The core issue, in many cases, is not just the initial problem but the slow, inconsistent response from maintenance and management. Some residents say that maintenance staff come and go, with certain workers praised in retrospect while others are criticized as incompetent or combative. The property manager, Joy (sometimes spelled Joi), is a frequent focal point: several reviews describe her as unprofessional or unresponsive, while a few note that newer staff or different managers have shown more willingness to help. The contrast between the bad and the occasionally improved experiences is a recurring theme, leaving prospective renters uncertain about what they would actually encounter day to day.

Health and safety concerns loom large in the collective memory of residents. A number of reviews reference mold and poor ventilation contributing to unhealthy living conditions, especially in bathrooms and other damp areas. There are alarming mentions of carbon monoxide incidents, including reports of deaths attributed to leaks and near-misses in the past. One reviewer even notes that a carbon monoxide detector helped avert tragedy, underscoring how fragile the line is between a manageable problem and a fatal one. The presence of pests - carpenter ants and other infestations - also crops up in multiple accounts, reinforcing a sense that basic maintenance and remediation are frequently deferred. These themes create an overarching impression that safety risks are not systematically prioritized and that residents feel exposed to preventable dangers.

Financial practices and perceived mismanagement of fees are another major concern. Tenants report that deposits are not refunded, and that charges for painting or carpet are imposed automatically regardless of how long someone has lived there. A recurring complaint is the so-called "buy-in" or membership fee, which has increased over time and has led some tenants to feel they are being priced out or trapped in a system that rewards occupancy rather than quality service. One reviewer describes a transition from a $5,000 buy-in to $2,500, a change that others interpret as a sign of shifting priorities rather than a genuine improvement in property management. The sense among several residents is that these financial practices are used to fund upkeep or upgrades that never materialize, while routine services and repairs remain slow or inadequate.

The community environment and the management style are also criticized for fostering a tense or unwelcoming atmosphere. Residents recount rude or unavailable staff, frequent turnover among managers, and a culture where parkers and tenants feel policed rather than supported. Some reviews describe the property as looking dated or like "old military housing," with limited color, creativity, and entry points, contributing to a sense of bleakness rather than home. Parking, landscaping, and common-area upkeep are cited as ongoing issues, with residents sometimes feeling that neighbors are uncooperative or that the property management uses heavy-handed rules about car placement and appearances to create an impression of order that rings hollow when individual units are neglected.

Despite the many negative experiences, there are a few counterpoints worth noting. A minority of tenants describe moments of relief or satisfaction: there are mentions of periods when maintenance came promptly and repairs were completed, or when staff interactions were positive, especially after new managers took over. Some reviewers acknowledge that the price point may be attractive relative to other options and appreciate certain amenities or the general location. A few long-term residents speak with nostalgia about past staff who were more responsive, while others emphasize that the situation seems to have improved with the arrival of new personnel like Tess, and support from district-level leadership such as Kim. These mixed experiences compound the overall impression: there is evidence of improvement, but it is inconsistent and often temporary, leaving most tenants wary.

Taken together, the collection of reviews paints a damning portrait of Hickory Hollow as a complex where neglect, safety concerns, and disputed financial practices have created lasting frustration and fear among residents. The most persistent warnings focus on mold, mold-related health risks, carbon monoxide incidents, and chronic maintenance delays. The management culture - staff turnover, unresponsiveness, and a strong emphasis on fees over fix-its - appears to undermine trust and stability for many tenants. For anyone considering moving in, the messages converge on a cautious approach: research thoroughly, ask pointed questions about recent repairs and safety certifications, and prepare for the possibility that the promised upgrades or timely responses may not materialize. It remains a place that, for many, demands vigilance, documentation, and support from outside entities to ensure basic living standards are met.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4 miles)

Hospitals

• Oakwood Annapolis Hospital (0.6 miles)
• Beaumont Dearborn Hospital (7.3 miles)
• DaVita Belleville Dialysis (7.4 miles)

Transportation

• Avis Rent A Car (1.3 miles)
• Budget Rent A Car (2.4 miles)
• Hertz Rent A Car (2.4 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2.5 miles)
• National Car Rental (2.6 miles)
• DTW Delta Cargo (2.6 miles)
• Concourse D (2.9 miles)

Cafes

• Tim Hortons (1.6 miles)
• Biggby Coffee of Westland (4.6 miles)
• Tim Hortons (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (6 miles)
• Qahwah House (6.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.9 miles)
• Starbucks (7.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Jimmy John's (1.7 miles)
• Mezza Mediterranean Grille (4 miles)
• Plum Market (4.2 miles)
• Cat Cora Tap Room - 16 (4.2 miles)
• Sora Japanese Cuisine & Sushi Bar (4.3 miles)
• Andiamos (4.3 miles)
• The Halal Guys (4.8 miles)

Parks

• Garden City Park (3.9 miles)
• Schemansky Park (6 miles)
• Heritage Park (6.3 miles)
• Ford Field Park (6.4 miles)
• Paul Revere Park (7.1 miles)
• Heritage Park (7.1 miles)

Physicians

• Dearborn Obstetrical & Gynecological Assoc PC (4.2 miles)
• Ophthalmic Specialists of Michigan - Dearborn Office (4.6 miles)
• Garden City Hospital Medical Office Building (4.9 miles)
• Botsford Primary Care Physician (5.5 miles)
• Pinkney, Greenbaum, MacFarland, and Timpner, DDS (5.9 miles)
• Partners In Internal Medicine (6 miles)
• Allen Park Family Physicians (7.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Muslim Community of Western Suburbs (4.7 miles)
• Church of the Divine Child (5.2 miles)

Theaters

• Emagine Theatres (5.1 miles)