Gone to the dogs... Is there any hope?
Pros
Met some good neighbors over the last 5 or so years to suffer through all the stink with. That's about it. We're actually kind of sorry we moved in here and may not renew the lease again when the time comes.
Cons
Roach infested. Mice/rats. Filthy hallways with the every now and then excrement from the animals that own the pets, left in the hallways or surrounding front entrance; halls smell of dog piss and/or feces almost daily unless they cover it up on the rare occurrence with some horrid smelling cleaning solution just splashed on the offending areas; not even cleaned or mopped up. Absolutely NO security. Front entrance doors always left open by supers "employee" or wedged by someone and left open all night so people can get in and steal deliveries that are left at the mail boxes with no way to ever find out who is doing it. HORRIBLE management company, especially some staff that handle issues and think they are doing you a favor when you call in. You are taking OUR money every month, you are required by law to address the issues, not give attitude or act like we're interrupting your day. It's your job, try doing it. Even worse maintenance/repair as the current "super" really needs to find a new job or retire; nothing ever gets done and when it eventually does if you can find him, a 5 year old with a play tool set can do better. Seriously, they need someone competent enough to handle the tenants that allow their pets to use the hallways as a bathroom. Everyone knows whom the culprits are and have reported it, but nothing is done about it. I won't let my dog walk in the halls when I take her out because I'm afraid she will get sick; it's some foul smelling stuff always being left around. It is even worse when you accidentally step in it. My boyfriend and I have had to clean our carpets 3 times in the last month because of animal waste in the halls and surrounding the entrance doors! It happened again just tonight! It's really gross and it needs to stop!
Advice to the owners
Hire a competent superintendent that can actually perform his duties and actually be on site during normal business hours instead of running off every day to go manage his own private contractor business (or sit in a local bar) while leaving some unlicensed, uninsured nobody that works for him to handle the jobs; poorly at that. No one in the buildings likes the guy or trusts him alone in their apartments, how is he still working here? One tenant in particular won't even allow him in his apartment because he's not only broken his property, but leaves a complete mess and and doesn't clean up. He shouldn't be given access to anything since he's not on the managements payroll and caries no insurance to cover any damages he causes. Which reminds me, having been a paralegal some years ago whom was tasked with doing quite a bit of research into people like this, I actually looked into it myself because I kind of didn't believe it. All I can say; You might want to check on the license and insurance status of those working in the building. You'll be surprised to find your #1 hasn't been licensed or insured for over 10 years, which is a severe deficiency in service and protocol and to overlook it is a really good case for negligence; especially if they are doing jobs on site that require permits and appropriate insurance. God forbid anyone gets hurt or their property damaged, yeah, then what? Speaking of which, I know I don't like having to approach anyone to notify them of an issue I may have in my apartment and be met with the overwhelming waft of alcohol when they speak to me and I certainly don't need to be spoken to the way I have been when it's happened. I'm pretty sure YOU wouldn't like that. I no longer approach him anymore, I have my boyfriend do it. Paying tenants should not have to deal with something like that. Again, might be time for a "super" that handles the job appropriately and respects the people putting money into YOUR pockets, as well as being able to properly and legally undertake the work that needs to be done, all the while being on duty and on site when he is supposed to be, instead of nowhere to be found, off on some private job or bar hopping when tenants are looking for him, in the MIDDLE OF THE WORKING DAY when he is supposed to be present! Do something about all this, it is required under the law after all. Cameras. Every house and building in the surrounding neighborhoods have them, yet, ours do not. With the rent we pay??? It needs to be in the budget since money isn't spent on anything else here. Again, it will prevent the theft of packages AND any assault that could happen (which HAS happened in the hallways on several occasions already!) You may even spot the animals that let their pets use the halls as a bathroom! (but you already know who it is, you just don't care enough to do anything about it; you should really start.) Never mind the homeless that have gotten in and camped out on either the roof landings or under the stairs, or as recently as last week, in the front hallway! Address the health concerns. having animal urine and feces in the hallways are an immediate health hazard to all tenants and other responsible pet owners AND their pets. Mice and other rodents?Same, they need to go. Roaches? Stop having an exterminator who "sugars" the spray they use so they have perpetual business. I swear, they are always worse right after we let the exterminator in and for a week or so afterwards! (Until we mop and clean up the "syrup" this guy sprays around; suddenly they go away again, hmm, go figure. Cause and effect, it's a real thing.) There, that's MY advice, not that you'll give two dog turds about it! Except in the hallways of course, you'll surely leave them there!
Great Apartment, Inconsistent Building Management
Pros
I really like my apartment itself and the neighborhood is excellent. The location remains the strongest positive.
Cons
However, the building and many apartment features are very outdated. Maintenance issues are often delayed, not because of the maintenance staff, but due to difficulty reaching the building superintendent. Communication with the super is inconsistent, which frequently results in maintenance requests taking days or weeks to be addressed. Once maintenance is actually dispatched, the maintenance worker is kind, professional, and does solid work. The management/leasing company is responsive when contacted but remains fairly hands-off with day-to-day building operations. Overall, the experience depends heavily on follow-up and persistence, which may be frustrating for some tenants.