Lord Tennyson Apartments Inc in Hayward, CA

Pros

• Residents who have lived there for over 10 years feel very good about the community and their children are happy.
• There are parks where children can play within the community.
• Damarious is praised for efficient, friendly service in the office.
• New management has made significant improvements and is doing a great job.
• Office staff are consistently helpful and friendly.
• Juliana is amazing and very helpful to applicants.
• Maintenance staff fix issues promptly and do a wonderful job.
• The complex is quiet, safe, and conveniently located near shops, the hospital, and major freeways.
• The new manager is working hard to improve safety and residents’ quality of life.

Cons

• They say the management shows little accountability and seems to want to push out low‑income residents.
• They describe mold in the bathroom as a persistent, months‑long problem with repairs unfinished.
• They report chronic water issues: low water pressure and little to no hot water, with water heaters placed outside and viewed as unsafe.
• They accuse rent increases of being inconsistent or improperly communicated, with notices that appear and then disappear.
• They claim repairs are slow, incomplete, and poorly communicated, sometimes leaving workers in and out without finishing the job.
• They warn of pests and infestations (termites, bugs) and safety hazards (mold, unsafe water) compromising health.
• They report eviction threats for minor issues or late paperwork despite rent being paid.
• They describe a lack of management, cleanliness, maintenance, and security, with office closures and poor staffing.

Review

Lord Tennyson Apartments is best suited for long-term, budget-conscious households in Hayward who want large, affordable living spaces and proximity to shops, a hospital, and major freeways. The 3-bedroom layouts in particular serve families or multigenerational households that need room to grow. The setting feels practical and walkable: a calm neighborhood with nearby parks and everyday conveniences rather than luxury amenities. This is not a prestige property; value comes from size, location, and price. Residents who can tolerate variable service levels from management and remain engaged to press for repairs will find the upside meaningful.

Those who cannot tolerate ongoing maintenance puzzles, inconsistent communication, or health risks tied to mold and unreliable hot water should consider alternatives. Repeated reports of mold in bathrooms, leaks, and water heaters relocated outside units yield persistent comfort and safety concerns. Rent notices and disputed charges signal governance weaknesses. Security and enforcement concerns surface in some reviews, with gates left open and aggressive tow practices. For seniors or households with medical needs, or anyone seeking steady repairs and transparent policies, stronger options exist elsewhere.

Location and space are real advantages. Residents praise convenient access to groceries, hospitals, and major routes, plus spacious interiors that accommodate families. Some reviews highlight helpful office staff, responsive maintenance crews, and visible improvements under new management, cleaner common areas, better laundry facilities, and better trash handling. The improvements matter because they translate into everyday comfort and a calmer environment when staff are engaged. Yet these benefits rarely erase the most persistent drawbacks, and they do not guarantee ongoing reliability.

The core drawbacks are stubborn. Maintenance can be slow, with repairs dragging on and some issues unresolved for months. Mold remediation remains a recurrent problem, and even after upgrades, residents report ongoing concerns. Water pressure and hot water reliability can suffer after renovations, with outside water heaters and months of cold water in some units. Rent changes and billing confusion compound stress, and even threatened evictions during paperwork delays create an unstable atmosphere for families already juggling caregiving and health needs. Reports of infestations and safety lapses, plus a revolving door of managers, reinforce a sense that governance governs quality of life as much as the physical units do.

The good news is that genuine improvements can and do happen when new management is in place. Where staff are personable, offices are open, and repairs are scheduled with real follow-through, day-to-day life improves noticeably. For tenants who can secure a large unit and stay close to services, the value proposition remains solid, space at an affordable price in a practical location. But improvements are uneven and the underlying maintenance and billing issues persist; without consistent, time-bound remediation plans and transparent communications, the positives can be outweighed by ongoing frustrations. Prospective residents should demand written repair schedules, a clear plan for mold abatement, and documented rent calculations before committing.

In sum, Lord Tennyson Apartments serves as a pragmatic option for families prioritizing space and affordability while accepting an active management dynamic. It is not ideal for tenants requiring unwavering reliability, rapid problem resolution, or consistently clean, well-managed interiors. Those prioritizing stability and health-and-safety assurances should explore other affordable-housing or senior-focused communities with stronger governance. Visitors should assess the latest management performance, inspect for mold, test hot-water reliability, and confirm capital-improvement timelines. The decision hinges on whether the gains in space and location justify the ongoing governance and maintenance challenges, and whether the resident is prepared to advocate effectively to secure a livable, long-term home.

Physicians

• Kaiser Medical Offices (0.1 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Pediatrics (0.1 miles)
• Dr Mark Mandel M.D. - Optima Medical Assoc (3.1 miles)
• Golden State Dermatology (10.8 miles)
• Foothill Optometric Group (10.8 miles)
• Reproductive Science Center (11.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.1 miles)

Parks

• Eden Landing Ecological Reserve (1.7 miles)
• Beard Staging Area, Alameda Creek Regional Trail (4.3 miles)
• Coyote Hills Regional Park (4.9 miles)
• Castro Valley Park and Community Center (5.2 miles)
• Bay Trees Park (5.2 miles)
• Lake Chabot Regional Park (5.7 miles)
• Parsons Park (6 miles)

Transportation

• South Hayward BART Station (2 miles)
• Castro Valley BART Station (4.1 miles)
• Union City BART Station (5 miles)
• Fremont BART Station (8.2 miles)
• Terminal 2 (8.5 miles)
• Southwest Airlines Ticket Counter (8.5 miles)
• Oakland International Airport (OAK) (8.5 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (2.4 miles)
• McDonald's (2.5 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (3.3 miles)
• McDonald's (4.1 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (4.3 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (4.4 miles)
• McDonald's (4.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• Panera Bread (8.1 miles)
• Philz Coffee (8.2 miles)
• Daily Bagel Cafe (9.4 miles)
• Panera Bread (10.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Kaiser Permanente Post-Acute Care Center (4.2 miles)
• Eden Medical Center (4.5 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente San Leandro Labor & Delivery (6.5 miles)
• Washington Hospital Heliport (8.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Baptist Church Of Castro Valley (5.4 miles)
• Bethel Presbyterian Church Of San Leandro (6 miles)
• Wat Buddhanusorn (6.4 miles)
• Bay Area Chinese Bible Church (10.3 miles)

Theaters

• AMC NewPark 12 (8.8 miles)