Only As a Last Resort
Pros
There is central AC and heating, which is a gem to find in older, cheaper buildings. When package and bike thefts began to occur, the landlord was quick to install security cameras. The super who worked in the building while I was living there was very kind and worked hard to maintain the cleanliness in the stairwells as much as possible and manage the trash/recycling bins outside.
Cons
The landlord drags their feet to make repairs or outright refuses to make them: my roommates and I had to beg for years to have outlet plates installed on the open holes in our walls and for bug screens to be installed in the windows. We had several leaks in our ceiling over the years because the leak wasn't properly repaired the first time, and faulty wiring in the main bathroom caused a strobe light effect that (as far as I know) still hasn't been repaired after several years. Cockroach, housefly, rodent, and bed bug infestations occurred + the rodent problem is still ongoing despite several exterminators coming out to assess the issue. The front gate of the apartment was crushed in a car accident, and after several years, the landlord has still refused to fix the gate since it's only a cosmetic issue. The washing machine and dryer in the basement barely work and are much more expensive to use than the laundromat across the street. The room keys given to tenants for their individual bedrooms work on every door in the apartment, which is a huge security issue.
Advice to the owners
More effort should be put into solving problems that can be deemed health hazards, especially the mice issue.
There’s good and there’s also bad
Pros
Management seems to care and is fast at responding to calls. Building is somewhat rent stabilized There’s a whole basement you can store things in but it is unfinished Central a/c Near the park
Cons
Work orders take months to be completed if they are minor Not enough trash cans/ recycling cans so trash often piles up The basement smells so bad and during the summer due to leaks that the owner knows about but doesn’t care about fixing, making the hallway of the building smell really bad when you walk In Laundry in basement doesn’t work well at all but you still have to pay for it The stoves don’t have vents neither do the showers so expect garlic smells in your bedroom and black mold on your tub