PREPARE TO FREEZE
Pros
I liked the street and the neighbors. The apartment itself is nice to look at and I believe we left it even better than we found it.
Cons
Windows and doors not insulated well. Heaters inefficient. We paid nearly $600 some winter months and were still uncomfortably cold. We insulated the back door shut and the room was still so cold our children couldn’t sleep in it so we had to share the bedroom. Even still, the windows iced over and FROZE shut. Management did nothing. They didn’t renew the lease for the neighbors when they complained to the city by calling 311. 311 notified us that it was illegal how cold the apartment was. Management of course did nothing. They are now “considering” putting in a split system instead of the floor heaters, but that will not fix the issue. Our other neighbors signed their lease contingent on new heaters, which after a year has still not been fixed. The super is so hard to get a hold of. I know this place is beautiful but just don’t do it unless you’ve got a big budget for your heating bill.
Advice to the owners
Take care of people. We tried so hard to steward your apartment well and take care of it. The same would have been nice.
Mismanaged Potential
Pros
-Large floor-through footprints. -Recently renovated interiors. -W/D -Friendly and quiet block. -Welcoming building neighbors. -Close to numerous trains. -Proximity to services and restaurants.
Cons
-Sky-high ConEd bills: $500-800+/mo in winter because of the electric heat and boilers run through each unit’s meter. -Drafty windows/doors and poor heat retention make for awful energy efficiency. -Low/no maintenance. Super responds to emergencies and applies surface-only fixes. Daily building cleaning/care is minimal. -No one sweeps, rakes, shovels, de-ices, hoses down trash bins, cleans the common areas. -Trash removal became regular only after repeated tenant complaints. -Major building issues (energy efficiency) (leaking roof/windows) (drainage) ignored.
Advice to the owners
When charging like a premium property, building care and service should follow suit.