Would renters recommend 137 West 81 Street, Manhattan, NY 10024?

0% of tenants who reviewed 137 West 81 Street, Manhattan, NY 10024 would recommend living here.

How responsive is management at 137 West 81 Street, Manhattan, NY 10024?

25% of tenants who reviewed 137 West 81 Street, Manhattan, NY 10024 approve of the building's owner or management.

Does 137 West 81 Street, Manhattan, NY 10024 have any open violations?

This building has 12 open violations.

How noisy is 137 West 81 Street, Manhattan, NY 10024?

Tenants rated noise levels below average at this building.

What are the biggest complaints about 137 West 81 Street, Manhattan, NY 10024?

Tenants rated cleanliness, owner responsiveness, pest control and water pressure below average at this building.

When was 137 West 81 Street, Manhattan, NY 10024 built and how many units does it have?

Built in 1887, this building has 10 units and 4 floors.

137 West 81 Street

Upper West Side, Manhattan, NY 10024

10 units·4 floors·Built in 1887

2.7

4 reviews

Rent-stabilized apartments

This building has apartments that entitle you to a renewal and limited rent increases.

Good cause building

This building guarantees a renewal and capped rent increases, if you follow your lease terms.

Highlights

Evictions

Open violations

Building ratings

Cleanliness

Trash management

Pest control

Water pressure

Heat

Neighbors

Noise levels

Owner responsiveness

Cleanliness

Trash management

Pest control

Water pressure

Heat

Neighbors

Noise levels

Owner responsiveness

Rents and deposits

Renters received their security deposits back

Electronic rent payments

Photos of 137 West 81 Street

Open violations

From past 10 years · Updated 2 days ago

Average violations per unit in this building is worse than the city average.

Building average1.20Violations per unit

NYC average0.81Violations per unit

Renter Q&A

Have the plumbing issues been resolved or are they recurring? Is the landlord more responsive now about repairs and other issues? Thanks.

Over 1 year ago

The plumbing issue was fixed and I haven’t had a problem since. It only seem to happen in the winter. As far as issues in general, there are some where the landlord is quite responsive and others where it takes longer than I think it should.

Over 1 year ago

Answer

How bad is the rodent situation?

Over 1 year ago

In my unit, I’ve actually never had a rodent problem. *knock on wood* We get bugs that make their way in during the spring and summer but I’ve never seen a mouse or rat.

Over 1 year ago

Answer

FAQs

Review 137 West 81 Street

Reviews are anonymous and could truly help the next renter that considers this building.

Review 137 West 81 Street

Reviews are anonymous and could truly help the next renter that considers this building.

Immediately hazardous

Rodents, pest, mold, inadequate heat or hot water, defective building parts

Pet friendly

About 137 West 81 Street

137 West 81 Street is a poorly reviewed and troubled building. Tenants rate it 2.7/5 across 4 reviews, with 0% recommending it and 25% approving of the owner. It records 2 evictions, 12 open violations, and 2 litigation cases. Data last updated October 21, 2026. Managed by Livingston Management Services LLC, the building at 137 West 81 Street in the Upper West Side, Manhattan has 4 floors and 10 units. Built in 1887, it is a pre-war building that reflects the mid-rise construction typical of the era in Manhattan. This building has apartments that entitle you to a renewal and limited rent increases. It is pet-friendly, and renters should confirm size, breed, and count limits with the building before signing. The 1, C, and B subway lines are nearby, providing service along the West Side of Manhattan. The Upper West Side is a residential neighborhood in Manhattan. Renters can review this building's ratings, reviews, and public records here.

Renter recommendations

Renters recommend this building

Renters approve of the building's owners

Review summary

Summarized from anonymous rental reviews on Openigloo.

Recent tenant reviews for 137 West 81 Street in Manhattan reveal mixed feedback. While the building boasts a prime location near Central Park with character and friendly neighbors, issues like poor cleanliness, pest problems, delayed responses from the owner, and rent increases cause concern. Some tenants faced maintenance issues like leaks and insufficient heating. Although the building has its charms with original details and a secure environment, improvements in owner responsiveness, maintenance, and pest control are suggested to enhance the living experience. Overall, cautious consideration is advised due to unresolved security deposit and transactional issues with the landlord.

Reviews of 137 West 81 Street

Former tenant·8 months ago

Old and dirty

Pros

Pretty street, great location near Central Park

Cons

Mice, roaches, toilet constantly flooded apartments

Former tenant·Over 1 year ago

Fraud Alert Beware

Pros

The building is in a beautiful area and has a lot of character. The owners are really hands-off (which can be a plus). The other renters were friendly.

Cons

I would have left an overall positive review were it not for the fact that the owner never returned my security deposit almost a year after the end of my lease, claiming they are "short on money". Well I am short on one month security deposit. In addition, the owner had agreed to purchase my two brand new window Air Conditioners, including an expensive Midea U-shaped model. Unfortunately, again it looks like the owner decided not to pay me and keep the ACs. In terms of the unit, it does have its charms, but had regular issues with cockroaches and rats around the trash area. The large windows at the front are indeed beautiful, but let in all the cold in winter. I ended up buying two additional electrical heater, which really added up to my electricity bills in winter. If you are still interested in the building after these warnings, I would just recommend you consider your security deposit gone and be careful of any transactions you make with the landlord as they have no issues taking advantage of their tenants.

Immediately hazardous

Rodents, pest, mold, inadequate heat or hot water, defective building parts

1Class B

Hazardous

Smoke detector issues, inadequate lighting, no lighting for stairways

1Class B

Hazardous

Smoke detector issues, inadequate lighting, no lighting for stairways

9Class A

Non-hazardous

No peephole on a door, no street number on the building, unlawful keeping of animals

9Class A

Non-hazardous

No peephole on a door, no street number on the building, unlawful keeping of animals

0Class I

Missing info

Missing or non-compliant with administrative information orders or filings

In the neighborhood Upper West Side, New York.

137 West 81 Street, Manhattan, NY 10024 is owned or managed by Livingston Management Services LLC.

137 West 81 Street, Manhattan, NY 10024 has rent-stabilized units.

This building has 2 recorded evictions.

Building owners and associates

U
Uptown Realty Operating Corp
2.7(4)
·
1 building
A
Austen Rabbie
2.7(4)
·
1 building
L
Livingston Management Services Llc
3.1(265)
·
147 buildings
K
Ken Hines
2.7(4)
·
1 building

Uptown Realty Operating Corp

2.7(4)

1 building

Austen Rabbie

2.7(4)

1 building

Livingston Management Services Llc

3.1(265)

147 buildings

Ken Hines

2.7(4)

1 building

1Class B

Hazardous

Smoke detector issues, inadequate lighting, no lighting for stairways

9Class A

Non-hazardous

No peephole on a door, no street number on the building, unlawful keeping of animals

137 West 81 Street

Highlights

Building ratings

Rents and deposits

Photos of 137 West 81 Street

Open violations

Renter Q&A

FAQs

Review 137 West 81 Street

Review 137 West 81 Street