Valley View Apartments

Cons

• The landlord neglects their tenants and ignores needed repairs.
• A front-door window has been missing for four months.
• They covered the broken window with cardboard and never tried to fix it.
• This neglect has caused the tenant's heating costs to double.
• They don't seem to care about their tenants' welfare.

Review

A tenant's family is grappling with what feels like ongoing neglect from their landlord, a situation that has stretched from inconvenient to alarming over the course of months. The central issue is a broken front door window that has remained unfixed for four months. Instead of replacing or repairing the pane, cardboard has been taped over the opening, serving as a temporary shield against the elements. This makeshift fix is described as the only visible attempt to address the damage, but it comes with constant reminders that the problem has not been treated with urgency or seriousness. The lack of action has left the home exposed to drafts, cold air, and the many practical complications that come with an improvised barrier instead of a proper window.

The consequences of the missing window go beyond mere comfort. The entryway - specifically the front door - now stands vulnerable in a way that no family should have to endure. When a window is absent or poorly sealed, drafts become a daily nuisance, and the indoor environment can become uncomfortably cold in the winter and excessively humid in other seasons. For a family relying on steady heating to keep the household livable, those drafts translate into higher energy use and inflated utility bills. The cardboard patch is described as a poor substitute that does little to preserve warmth or protect against moisture, weather, or potential intrusions. The sense of security is eroded, and the home atmosphere shifts from one of comfort to one colored by ongoing worry about the state of the property.

Within this framework of neglect, the financial strain on the household becomes a defining strain as well. The narrator notes that heating costs have effectively doubled, a circumstance directly tied to the compromised front door window. The increased energy consumption creates a tangible, ongoing burden, complicating the family's ability to manage basic living expenses. In response to these conditions, the mother has made the decision not to pay rent - at least temporarily - as a form of leverage or protest, arguing that the double heat cost is an unfair consequence of the landlord's failure to repair. The decision to withhold rent is framed not as a reckless act but as a response to a preventable problem that remains unaddressed despite months of exposure to the same issue.

People in the household feel that their concerns are not taken seriously by the property owners. The repeated neglect - no visible efforts to repair the window, no proactive communication about timelines or plans for restoration - paints a picture of indifference. The residents describe the landlords or management as caring little about the ongoing discomfort, the increased expenses, or the sense of vulnerability that comes with living in a home that lacks a secure, well-sealed entry. The overall tone is one of frustration and disappointment: after months of living with a visible deficiency, the family perceives a clear deficit in accountability and responsiveness from those responsible for maintaining the property.

The emotional and practical toll of the situation extends beyond the physical repair itself. The constant exposure to cold drafts and the anxiety about safety contribute to a sense of being unheard and undervalued as tenants. The home should be a sanctuary, a place where basic maintenance and safety concerns are promptly addressed. Instead, this situation has fostered a feeling of precariousness, where the family is forced to balance the need for repairs with the real-world consequences of delayed action - rising heating costs, potential moisture damage, and the ongoing worry about whether doors and windows can be trusted to keep out the elements or potential intruders.

As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that the core issue is not simply a missing window but a pattern of neglect that leaves tenants feeling abandoned. The cardboard covering the pane is a stark symbol of a broader problem: the absence of timely repairs, meaningful communication, and a commitment to maintaining a safe and livable home. It invites broader questions about tenant rights, landlord responsibility, and what it means to live in a rental where basic maintenance is treated as an afterthought rather than a standard expectation. The story underscores the impact of neglect on daily life, financial stability, and the sense of security that should accompany any place called home.

This part of Vergennes, Vermont offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. The area is home to several restaurants, cafes, pharmacies, and physicians' offices, providing easy access to dining options and healthcare services. There are also transportation options available for those who may not drive, with U-Haul Moving & Storage and Enterprise Rent-A-Car located nearby. Places of worship offer spiritual fulfillment, while parks like Kingsland Bay State Park and Mt. Philo State Park provide opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Additionally, there are theaters like Jan Cannon Pottery for entertainment purposes. For medical emergencies, Porter Hospital ICU and Porter Hospital are easily accessible within a reasonable distance. Overall, this part of Vergennes offers a well-rounded community with essential amenities for senior living.

Restaurants

• The Main Scoop (0.1 miles)
• Rockers Pizzeria (0.3 miles)
• Subway (0.3 miles)
• Vergennes Wine (0.3 miles)
• Village Cafe and Tavern (5.9 miles)
• Red Mill Restaurant (6 miles)
• Vermont Cookie Love (6.1 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage (0.2 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (0.4 miles)
• Budget Truck Rental (9.3 miles)
• Amtrak Westport Station (10.2 miles)
• U-Haul (11.2 miles)
• Amtrak-Port Henry (13.7 miles)
• Middlebury State Airport (6B0) (14.7 miles)

Physicians

• Little City Family Practice (0.2 miles)
• Peak View Eye Care (0.2 miles)
• Mountain Health Center (8.3 miles)
• Montain Health Center (8.8 miles)
• Charlotte Family Health Center (9.6 miles)
• Green Mountain Urology (10.2 miles)
• Uvm Medical Center Urology (10.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Marble Works Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (0.3 miles)
• Chemis DrugStore (0.3 miles)
• Marble Works Pharmacy (8.2 miles)
• Walgreens (8.8 miles)
• Walgreens (12.4 miles)
• Hannaford Pharmacy (12.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Vergennes Congregational Church (0.4 miles)
• Champlain Valley Christian Reformed Church (0.7 miles)
• Addison County Church of Christ (5.8 miles)
• Friends Methodist Church (8.5 miles)
• Westport Federated Church (9.3 miles)
• Bristol Christian Fellowship (9.7 miles)
• Roman Catholic Diocese Burlington (10.6 miles)

Cafes

• Ferrisburgh Bake Shop & Deli (2 miles)
• Royal Oak Coffee (11.3 miles)
• The Storm Cafe (11.4 miles)
• Otter Creek Bakery (11.6 miles)
• Middlebury Crossroads (11.7 miles)
• Rustic Roots (14.4 miles)

Parks

• Kingsland Bay State Park (2.3 miles)
• Mt. Philo State Park (7.6 miles)
• Lee Park (9.3 miles)
• Mount Philo State Park (10.1 miles)
• Beggs Park (10.8 miles)
• Dar State Park (11.5 miles)
• Forest Parks & Recreation Department (13.7 miles)

Theaters

• Jan Cannon Pottery (10 miles)

Hospitals

• Porter Hospital ICU (12.4 miles)
• Porter Hospital (12.4 miles)