More hassle than home—choose a place that actually gives you peace.
Pros
In my more than three decades living in this building, I’ve seen a big change. When Mr. Oscar was the landlord, we consistently had heat and hot water on time. Under the current landlord, Herman Lefkowitz, my experience has been very different. I often have to heat my own water just to take a shower. The tap water in my apartment also appears yellow, so I rely on bottled water instead of drinking it.
Cons
With new management, this building has a continuous issue with mice and roaches. The only time I’ve seen someone come to sweep is on Thursdays—payday—when Carlos, the superintendent, sends someone. The garbage area is another problem; it’s often overflowing and has a strong, unpleasant smell. Taking a shower can also be difficult. After 6 p.m., the water in my apartment usually turns ice cold, and many nights we end up heating water on the stove just to bathe. From my point of view, it feels like the landlord is cutting corners to save money, and the quality of living has suffered because of it.
Advice to the owners
It would be better to invest in a qualified superintendent who genuinely understands how to make proper repairs. Cutting costs by hiring someone who doesn’t seem adequately trained may feel cheaper in the short term, but it often leads to bigger, more expensive problems in the long run.