Good spot, responsive if testy landlord
Pros
Just six units, so very easy to get to know your neighbors. The block is super multicultural and not as loud as closer to the busier Steinway. Easy 12 minute walk to the N/W and R trains, and a straight shot on the Q18 to the train and Astoria park. The building is old but pretty well cared for. The water heater is very powerful. The landlord is responsive for maintenance. Pet friendly, most tenants have cats and one has a dog. Appliances are largely good quality.
Cons
The landlord cares about his building, which is good, but has been a little shady about not disclosing this was a rent stabilized unit at first and trying to charge us for AC’s he couldn’t legally charge us for. He got pretty testy about that second one, but removed the charge. The heat for the building is spotty, we’ve had trouble getting it to work right every year, though the landlord is responsive about it. There’s a small back green area in the building, but you don’t get to use it as a tenant. There’s exposed brick, which is pretty, but it’s not sealed and you have to clean the brick dust that comes off. They still make you pay rent by check in the mail. The building is only outfitted for Spectrum, and if you have another service that needs a cable out front the landlord will not approve it.
Advice to the owners
Switch to electronic rent payment, seal the interior brick walls in the units
%2F-73.911366%2C40.762413%2C14%2F640x640%402x%3Faccess_token%3Dpk.eyJ1Ijoib3BlbmlnbG9vIiwiYSI6ImNsYjNmMjVwdzBjeHgzd21wYmJmZDB0eGYifQ.XZvZCOh51yXuDBE-I3Bg0A&w=1920&q=70)