Updated Review (1/19/26):
Management did send pest control to spray the interior and exterior of my unit, which helped, though it did not fully resolve the issue. Fortunately, the boxelder bugs disappeared once winter arrived.
After nearly a year at Highland at Sugarhouse, I would recommend looking elsewhere. For the quality of these apartments, the rent is unreasonable.
The unit was filthy upon move-in. I had to clean dead bugs out of light fixtures, muddy footprints off the floors, a toilet with a blackened tank, stained countertops, and moldy blinds (which I replaced myself). I also had to request a thermostat replacement due to its age.
Laundry is available on-site but costs extra. I often had to run the dryer two to three times to fully dry my clothes, and laundry averaged about $10 per week. There is no dishwasher, very limited storage, creaky floors, chipping bathtub paint, falling blinds, and non-working light switches.
There is only one window A/C unit, which regularly spits dead bug wings into the apartment. When I requested the unit be moved from my bedroom to the living room, blue painterâs tape was used to seal the window gaps. Painterâs tape is not appropriate for permanent A/C installation as it is a total eye sore and does not properly seal air gaps. I ultimately had to remove it myself and replace it with proper insulation tape on my own dime.
While the listed rent initially seemed reasonable, hidden fees add about $200 per month, plus separate gas and power. My 600 sq ft one-bedroom ends up costing around $1,400 monthly, which is not justified by the condition. In my opinion, this unit should cost no more than $1,100.
The only positive I can genuinely rate 10/10 is Louis, who does much of the grounds and maintenance work. He has always been kind, professional, and helpful. He was not the person who installed or worked on my A/C unit.
2 out of 5 stars.
Original Review:
I wish I werenât writing this review, but unfortunately, I am. I moved into a unit at Highland at Sugarhouse in late February. The first few months were fine until summer arrived and a severe boxelder bug infestation began.
Despite my best efforts (closing and covering vents with mesh, spraying inside and outside, and even taping my windows shut) the bugs still find their way in. I am especially concerned about the fact that taping my windows creates a fire hazard, but I have felt I have no other choice in order to try to keep them out. There are currently boxelder bugs stuck in the tape, showing they tried to get in but were stopped, which is why I feel it is necessary to keep the tape up until the complex finds a real solution for me. Even with these measures, I still find at least five inside my apartment daily and have spent $70 of my own money trying to prevent them. They have even begun entering through my ceiling light fixtures, which suggests they are living within the walls. I have provided management with videos, including one showing five pairs mating on my windows at one time.
This is in the middle of summer and I am concerned about what will happen in the fall, when boxelder bugs are known to become more active indoors to escape the cold.
I have asked management to transfer me to a different unit without this problem, but was told I would have to pay a $1,500 transfer fee and repay my deposit. I find this unreasonable given that these are ongoing health and safety issues beyond my control. The Highland at Sugarhouse must address these issues promptly and permanently, or I feel it is only fair to be transferred at no cost or be allowed to end my lease early without penalty.
Based on my experience so far, I cannot recommend renting here. I will update this review if management resolves these issues.
