885 Rogers Avenue,

Brooklyn, NY 11226

The pros are you’re going to move into a building that probably smells really good during the first week. You’re going to receive a really nice welcome package and have the impression that you’re moving into an actual high-end luxury building, at least on the starter level. There are two rooftops, a pretty good gym, and lots of other tiny but useful amenities. So at first glance, it’s a nice place.

The cons? Probably about a month in, you realize that management is just in name only. You may find yourself with rodents or roaches for an extreme amount of time with lack of care. Oh, but they will send a water-based exterminator on a regular basis who almost seems like he doesn’t really care to be there. It seems very “take what you get”. There’s lots of noise, disrespectful neighbors. There’s even a creepy guy who poses as security throughout the building, and I don’t even think he’s a tenant.

You will find that you will typically end up getting a lot less than what you’re paying for. Rent in this building is high. The amenities look nice at first glance, but most of the building is falling apart. Management has an extreme problem with lack of communication and consideration for their tenants, and you’ll just have to make good with what you can. Much like New York itself, you have to advocate for yourself to the fullest if you want to enjoy your lease in this building. Moving at your own risk. It’s not the worst place in the world, but if you can afford to move somewhere else, do your research, and I suggest you do it. This building is for kids. It’s practically a college dorm building. And going the way of the birds (let’s not even talk about the random people entering the building, hanging in the amenities, stealing packages and management does NOTHING). Run!

DO BETTER!

Great super, does the best with what he's got. Very responsive. Great soundproofing on outward-facing windows and doors, which came in handy because a similar building just went up directly across the street and the noise level was bearable. Bike room where people trust each other is really nice. Rooftop is bare and kind of sad.

Update: We broke our lease over the roach problem not going away and management was willing. Don't know what did it - we had tons of pictures, videos, and months of correspondence via text with the super and the building manager Jay (who wasn't helpful) and sent it all to the leasing office.

Roaches. German ones and brown ones. Caulked and sprayed everything. Roaches still get in. Never had them before. The exterminator comes once a month, which is not enough. The garbage rooms get full quickly and the roaches are always visible in those rooms. No wonder they spread to other units. Asked management to up the exterminator visits, but they're not willing. Huge time and money suck trying to handle it ourselves. Definitely in violation of habitability laws.

Laundry room is cleaned once a week and it's not really enough. So it's kind of gross most of the time. The machines are small and cost $2.75 per load which is a racket.
Also location kind of sucks. It's at least 20 minutes walk to anything interesting. Ok if you have a bike.

Bring the exterminator in more often. Install extremely tight weatherproofing on all front doors (this is what finally kept the roaches out of our unit). Encourage tenants to help keep the place clean by providing cleaning materials (wipes, paper towels, etc) in key places like the laundry room.