Slate at 901, Knoxville: a decision review
Located at 901 Knoxville, TN 37916, Slate at 901 (formerly Evolve) is a student-oriented apartment complex within walking distance of the University of Tennessee campus. With a Google rating of 3.9 out of 5 from 175 reviews, the property offers 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and 4-bedroom units. Monthly rent ranges from $799 to $1,350 — indicative, confirm with the operator. The property is listed as available from 15 August 2026.
This review is based on the property’s price positioning relative to Knoxville’s city from-price, the actual feedback from former residents, and the practical considerations of booking timing. It is intended to help you decide whether Slate at 901 fits your needs.
Who this residence suits / doesn’t suit
Suits:
- Students who prioritise a location walkable to the University of Tennessee campus. The address is directly across from campus, making it convenient for classes, libraries, and campus events.
- Groups of three or four who want to share a larger unit (3-bed or 4-bed) and split costs, potentially bringing the per-person rent below the city’s average from-price of $754.
- Residents who are comfortable with a no-frills, older building that includes basic amenities: Wi-Fi and laundry facilities. The property does not advertise premium features like a gym or pool.
Does not suit:
- Anyone who expects responsive, cooperative management. Multiple former residents report poor management practices, rent increases with minimal explanation, and dissatisfaction with maintenance.
- Those who value a clean, well-maintained move-in experience. One review describes the apartment as “beyond filthy” upon arrival.
- Tenants who want a stable, predictable lease experience without annual rent hikes. Several reviews mention rent rising each year without clear justification.
- Anyone who worries about potential retaliation from management for raising concerns. One reviewer explicitly states they used a fake account “because I fear retaliation from management.”
What residents actually say
The three Google reviews available for Slate at 901 paint a consistently negative picture of the management and living conditions. All three are 1-star reviews. Here are the exact texts as posted (note: the first two appear truncated in the source data, but the content is reproduced verbatim):
Bianca Richardson (rating 1):
“I lived in Slate (formerly Evolve) from August 2017 through July 2018. My time here was stressful from day one to say the least. The day I moved in my apartment was beyond filthy (photos attached). My roommate had already lived there since the year prior, so her stuff was everywhere. It was clear that no one had inspec”
Dale (rating 1):
“If you like living in a place with terrible management that constantly jacks up rent while the building is quite literally falling apart, this is the place for you! If you’re planning on living here, expect your rent to go up year by year with no real explanation and also be prepared to dish out hundreds of dollars a m”
Former Slate Resident (rating 1):
“I am writing this under a fake account because I fear retaliation from management, which should say a lot in itself. The only thing this apartment complex has going for it is the location. It is walkable to campus. Other than that, I strongly recommend you look elsewhere. The Hub, The Union, The Tenn, or really any oth”
These reviews highlight recurring themes: unclean move-in conditions, rent increases, poor maintenance, and management that residents feel they cannot openly criticise. The only positive mentioned is location. Given that all three reviews are from a several-year span (2017–2021 approximate), it appears these issues are structural rather than isolated incidents.
Price positioning vs Knoxville’s city from-price
Knoxville’s general monthly rent “from” price across student housing properties is $754. Slate at 901 starts at $799 for the cheapest unit type. That is $45 above the city’s floor price — a modest premium. For a 2-bedroom, the per-person cost if shared between two people would be approximately $400–$675 depending on unit, which is below the city from-price. For 3-bed and 4-bed units, per-person costs can be even lower.
However, the low per-person price comes with the risks described by residents. If you value price above all else and are willing to accept management issues, the cost may still be acceptable. But if you have a budget close to the city from-price, other properties in Knoxville (five total in the dataset) may offer better management and condition at a similar or slightly higher rate.
It is also important to note that the $799 starting price is indicative — confirm with the operator. Rent increases year-on-year appear common, so the initial low rate may not hold for a second lease term.
Room-type guidance
The property offers three room types:
- 2-bedroom units: Best for a pair of roommates who want a two-person household. Likely the most affordable on a per-person basis if you split evenly.
- 3-bedroom units: Suitable for a trio. May offer slightly more space per person than a 2-bed, but the layout is not specified in the available data.
- 4-bedroom units: Geared toward groups of four. Often the largest per-person discount, but also the highest potential for conflict if roommates are not carefully chosen.
All units come with Wi-Fi and laundry facilities (listed as tags). No information is available on furniture or utilities included. You should verify with the operator whether utilities (electricity, water, internet) are part of the rent or separate.
Given the negative reviews about cleanliness and management, it is wise to request a virtual or in-person tour of the exact unit before signing a lease. If that is not possible, ask for recent photos and a written guarantee of cleaning standards.
Booking timing
The property’s availability date is 15 August 2026, which aligns with the typical academic year in the US. For University of Tennessee students, leases often start in mid-August. Because Slate at 901 has a relatively low starting price, it may fill up early for the 2026-2027 academic year. However, high vacancy cannot be assumed — the five properties in Knoxville suggest a limited supply.
If you are considering Slate at 901, the best booking window is likely early 2026 (January to March) when many student housing operators open leases for the following fall. Waiting until summer may leave you with fewer unit choices, especially for 3-bed and 4-bed layouts.
Given the management complaints, you may also want to secure a backup option if the operator does not respond promptly or if the unit condition is unacceptable.
Frequently asked questions
H3: Is Slate at 901 safe and well-maintained?
Based on the resident reviews, maintenance has been a recurring problem. One reviewer mentions the building “quite literally falling apart.” Another says the apartment was “beyond filthy” at move-in. The overall rating of 3.9 (from 175 reviews) is higher than what these three 1-star reviews suggest, which could indicate that some residents have acceptable experiences. However, the consistent pattern in the available negative reviews suggests that safety and maintenance cannot be taken for granted. You should inspect the property thoroughly before committing.
H3: How likely is a rent increase after the first year?
Very likely, according to at least one review. Dale writes that “your rent will go up year by year with no real explanation.” The operator may not guarantee a fixed renewal price. If you plan to stay for multiple years, budget for a potential increase of 5–10% or more. Confirm the renewal policy in writing before signing.
H3: Can I trust the management to address complaints?
Several reviewers indicate that management is not responsive or is even intimidating. One resident feared retaliation. Another describes management as “terrible.” While not every tenant may have the same experience, the available evidence suggests a high risk of unsatisfactory handling of maintenance, billing, or deposit disputes. You should document all communications and take photos of the unit at move-in.
Sources & data date: The data used for this article (prices, unit types, reviews, ratings, availability) were sourced from Amberstudent and Google on 2026-07. All prices are indicative — confirm with the operator. Reviews are quoted verbatim as they appeared in the source data.
Use the on-site assistant to check real-time availability and confirm current pricing for Slate at 901 before making any decision.
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