Circa Lynnwood

Mismanagement, Security Failures, and ************ at Circa Apartments – Lynnwood

I’ve been a resident at Circa Apartments in Lynnwood for over two years with no prior issues. However, since raising concerns about building security and management conduct, the situation has become extremely frustrating and concerning. Recently, management labeled the rear glass doors — previously the main resident access from the parking area — as “Fire Exit Only.” These doors require an electronic hand swipe to open from the inside and an access card from the outside. The change was made suddenly, with no prior notice or discussion, despite these doors being used daily by residents for years. What makes this worse is that people who rent storage units in the building — who are not residents — have been given access cards that grant full access to all residential floors, the gym, and hallways. That means non-residents can freely enter the building while residents are being told not to use their own back entrance. It’s a complete reversal of logic and a major security risk. When I tried to address this directly with the building manager, Sarel, he became immediately aggressive and ordered me to leave his office within seconds of starting the conversation. He refused to discuss any of the safety concerns. Other tenants have told me they’re also afraid to raise issues because they fear being targeted or fined. There are additional ongoing problems with pest control, mold, and general maintenance that have gone unresolved for months. Despite multiple reports, nothing meaningful has been done to address these concerns. This is all happening in Lynnwood — one of Pretoria’s most high-end residential areas — which makes it even more disappointing. The building is being mismanaged, residents are intimidated when they speak up, and security decisions are being made that actually make the building less safe. I sincerely hope IHS Property Management and the trustees intervene, investigate these issues, and replace the on-site management with someone who will uphold professional standards, safety, and accountability.