Apartment PHA/5A: Practically Unlivable During Summer Months
Pros
Obviously the location is really nice, and the flooring is beautiful. Dishwasher is good, and the exterminator comes regularly. The trash is also always on time and there were no problems with it.
Cons
Be prepared to not be able to live here during the summer months, and be prepared to pay an average of $500-$800 per month in electricity year round. They also never vacuum or clean the carpet in the building stairs. While the apartment is marketed as a 2 bedroom, it is really more of a 1.5 bed because the second bedroom is a loft with no door that is open to the living area. The skylights on the roof of the loft have to be blocked, but even then, the average temperature of the apartment between May and September is 90-100 degrees. The only place to put an in-unit air conditioner is in the primary bedroom, and because the windows are casement windows, the air conditioner has to be a portable tube-style. It gets so hot that the duct tape keeping the cardboard to reinforce the AC tube melts, so it must be replaced weekly and the only room that can get reasonably cool is the bedroom. We were also told that the loft stairs are not up to code, and if the lofted bedroom is being utilized, be very careful about heat stroke. Beware if you have pets, small children, or medications that are temperature-sensitive.
Advice to the owners
Possibly increase ventilation on the roof and reinforce the skylights, or replace the AC. Really, anything that can make this otherwise lovely space livable for people in the summer. Also, why is the electric bill so high. It's such a shame.
2 year tenant
Pros
Enjoyed the location and layout of the building
Cons
no washer dryer in building