Q4 Real Estate - Hiawatha, Iowa

Monica K.

I am a new tenant at The Leo apartment/Q4 Real Estate complex. My first experience with icy weather, I was so pleased to come home from work last night to the sidewalks treated with salt so I did not have to worry about slipping and falling. I appreciate their concern for the safety of their tenants!

K J.

The Hall at The Hub markets itself through "striking architectural features" - exposed beams, polished concrete, and large windows. But beneath these surface-level aesthetics lies a case study in negligent property management masquerading as "luxury living." The building's fundamental design flaws create living conditions that border on uninhabitable and dangerous.

"Amenities" include:

- Permanently sealed windows throughout the building. Do you like breathing air? Q4 doesn't seem to care. Multiple maintenance staff told us when management was asked about the sealed windows during development, they cited "tax credit eligibility requirements" - yet similar properties with tax credits manage to provide basic ventilation. How does preventing air circulation preserve tax credits? And this still wouldn't explain the absence of a single air exchange unit on the property.

- A single ductless split unit attempting to condition 1,116 sq ft in our two-bedroom unit, leading to drastically inflated energy costs. Since the windows don't open, the A/C runs constantly - even in winter.

- Window frames that freeze and accumulate ice in winter. Management's solution? "Use your personal towels." Then they charged us for 'damages' upon move-out. The resulting conditions create an ideal environment for pink mold, by the way.

- No air exchange or ventilation systems. They somehow believe that ~40 split units running throughout the building plus occasional filter rinsing is an acceptable replacement for oxygen.

- Three malfunctioning, poorly maintained washers/dryers serving 36 units. Both residents and management display shocking apathy toward hygiene and sanitation. Enjoy finding used feminine pads, pubic hair, food waste in/on/around washing machines, perpetually full lint traps, and various biological waste in your laundry - and being charged for it.

- The only included "amenity" - trash service - became an additional charge when management failed to plan for the Leo building's impact on waste disposal.

- Persistent pet waste issues plague the common areas. Tenants almost universally fail to clean up after their animals. It was not uncommon to find urine and feces in the elevator. Equally common was the realization that the carpets had not been cleaned.

[For contrast, where we live now (in a different city and state, of course), animal waste stays on the carpet for under an hour before someone—unprompted—cleans it. That's called management, and the word 'luxury' has never been used to describe this property.]

Speaking of waste, there was once a puddle of vomit left between the garage door and lobby. We reported it immediately, yet it remained unaddressed for days. Management claimed they "couldn't find it," despite us providing the exact location—between the garage and the lobby. It's a single door; there is only one option. We even had to take a photo and send it to them. It almost felt like they wanted to force us to see it for as long as possible.

It wasn't surprising, given the cleaners vacuum maybe once a month for ten minutes and the carpets have never been cleaned—and may never be.

Q4 routinely demonstrates either stunning incompetence or calculated indifference to tenant welfare. The building's complete lack of ventilation turns every air quality issue - from smoking to indoor spray painting [somehow an actual issue] - into a serious health concern. Their inability to properly identify occupants or monitor building activities, even when presented with photographic evidence, compounds these safety issues.

This isn't just disappointing - it's deceptive and dangerous. Those exposed beams and polished concrete aren't worth the health risks. Q4 Real Estate's definition of "luxury" apparently doesn't include basics like breathable air or compliance with health and tenant laws.

Consider this review a warning to future tenants and a call for oversight. But given the challenges with Iowa's leadership—and the fact that Q4 may be the best management in the city—moving elsewhere is worth considering. Seek a better home.

Joshua G.

Beware if you’re considering renting from this company! They seem to find every possible way to charge extra fees, and these can add up to hundreds of dollars over time. If you value your privacy, think twice — they’ve entered our home after sending only a single email late the night before, without any response from us. Their practices feel extremely predatory, and it’s been a constant battle dealing with these surprise charges and unannounced visits. They will also find any way possible to take your entire security deposit and charge you fees after. Shady business do not support.

Jill B.

BEWARE!!!! My son and his two roommates from college leased an apartment at the HUB complex in Cedar Rapids, IA. They take advantage of college students going to Mount Mercy University. They are greedy, rude, and unethical management. Not only are their properties overpriced, they’ll find any reason possible to not refund your deposit ($1695 a month’s rent). We spent 6 hours cleaning prior to move out and no matter how clean you leave the apartment, they’ll charge you $300 in cleaning fees. It is very sad how they take advantage of young college students. I would advise anyone considering renting from them to think twice.

C O.

Update:
They took 100 bucks for things I didn't necessarily agree with as being dirty, but I got back the rest. Also, they are not pet deposits. They're fees. You don't get any of it back on movout and none of it counts towards cleaning or repairs. I would not move into these properties if you like a quiet home.

Buffalo Ridge
Unfortunately I have terrible neighbors. Management talked with the neighbors, but they continue with noise. They will not hold people accountable for noise.
I'm miserable from lack of sleep for months. Their pet deposits are nonrefundable, so I'm losing 350 dollars, connection fees, having to move because of loud inconsiderate neighbors.
These are no better than an apartment. You still hear neighbors running up and down the stairs, kids screaming through the walls. They allow huge dogs so hear them barking through the walls.
They also don't allow you to buy out of your lease. I'll update this about my deposit on move out. The manager does handle things professionally and I may try a different Q4 property, but this one seems poorly constructed with paperthin walls.

Cecily J.

It is a nice property (although cheaply maintained) but there is a lack of response to emails once you need something after moving in. They just want to get you in the door and fine you for every thing they can then not help when you need it. Overall, I would rent somewhere else. Moved away from IC to get away from greedy landlords just to come to another one up North.

Destiny B.

Sunny Ridge Townhomes
Price is way too high for no amenities or utilities included. Overall quality of the build seems low. Luxury is just a label. Inside is pretty standard for modern rentals. Hated the washer/dryer that that had in there.

All cleaning fees between tenants are passed on to previous tenant using the deposit.

Maintenance was usually quick to respond to issues. Kelly was usually helpful when answering questions.

Gwen H.

TLDR: apartments are beautiful - staff ghosted

I was looking for an appointment a couple months in advance of when I was looking to move since I didn't know the area. I had visited a couple of units, and the property manager was great. However, the next day she told me to call the office back to schedule a tour the next day for a different unit and the property manager never got back to me. I've left 5 voicemails asking to tour the other location and never heard back. Very upsetting for someone who doesn't know the area and is just looking for a nice apartment.