I would strongly caution anyone considering renting from Mallard Pointe at Riverbend Apartments in Auburn based on my experience trying to secure a unit there.
I was originally told that a unit was available for September 18, 2026. I was actively working with the property and was prepared to move forward with the rental. Byron told me that I could provide a W-9 and security deposit on Friday. However, by Monday, I was suddenly told that the unit had sustained severe damage from a burst pipe and was no longer available. I was also told that multiple units had sustained severe damage.
What made the situation especially frustrating was the contradictory information I received from staff. Byron later denied telling me that I could send a W-9 and security deposit, claiming instead that he had merely been explaining what they typically ask for. That is not what I understood from the conversation. I was on the phone with my sister while she was speaking with Byron, and I clearly heard him request the W-9 and security deposit in connection with moving forward with the unit.
I also had an extremely unpleasant interaction with Regional Manager Natalia Lawski. On Saturday, I contacted her because Long had told me that my live-in aide would have to be placed on the lease. I questioned that requirement and asked for verification. Rather than providing a straightforward explanation or documentation, Natalia was rude and told me that I was "blowing her phone up" and that it was her day off. That characterization was completely inaccurate. I had called her only once that morning before she said that.
The handling of my live-in aide was also concerning because a live-in aide has specific protections under fair-housing law and is not simply treated as an ordinary additional tenant who must be added to the lease. When I asked for clarification regarding the requirement I had been given, I expected a professional response and verificationânot hostility.
What is particularly frustrating is that after all of these conflicting conversations, I still have no way to move into the Auburn apartment I was originally pursuing. Instead, I am being offered a sister property in Tukwila. I specifically want to live in Auburn, so offering me a completely different location does not resolve the issue.
I understand that a burst pipe and resulting property damage can happen unexpectedly, and I do not fault a property for an emergency that was outside of its control. My issue is with how the situation was communicated and handled: contradictory statements, denying what I was previously told, misinformation regarding the live-in aide requirement, and an unnecessarily rude response from regional management.
I also noticed that the unit is now being represented as available for August 24, 2027, which is a year later than the September 18, 2026 availability I was originally given. Given what I was told about the extensive damage from the burst pipe, that timeline is consistent with the seriousness of the damage that was described to me.
My experience has left me with very little confidence in the communication or management at Mallard Pointe at Riverbend. If you are considering renting here, I would recommend getting everything in writing and carefully verifying any requirements before providing money or personal documentation.
JehovahIsMyLord
August 25, 2026
