Endless little terrors vs. a few big wins
Pros
The unit itself is beautiful. Large, reasonably priced, full of original detailing. Location is a dream. Neighbors are lovely.
Cons
The main problem is “management”. They take time off without notice. Ignore calls and emails. Do not follow up on safety or health concerns. Skirts around problems in the cheapest and laziest way possible. For example: it took almost 3 years of constant asking in order for a lock to be put on the back door to the building. Has security cameras, but management does not know how to operate the system. This “landlord” is truly awful, unavailable, lazy, and never actually helps their tenants and if they somehow become convinced to better something they only cover up problems with more problems. Another example: if you’re going to have an open access roof and a tenant alerts you to a pigeon having died because it was stuck to the sun-melted random patch on tar: don’t just solve the problem by throwing a piece of plastic over it. Additionally: being that it is an old building, the heat is very aggressive in the winter and tenants have little to no control over it other than keeping windows open. Trash is frequently left in the stairs (which are poorly constructed out of carpet) for weeks at a time. There is supposedly an exterminator who comes every other week and yet no one has come to our unit in over 5 months. Water will be turned off randomly and with no warning.
Advice to the owners
Give tenants advanced notice for the office’s time off, construction being done (for oftentimes literally no reason), water being turned off, or if anything is set to be accomplished in the future. Be available. Respond to emails. Listen to the tenant’s needs and concerns, such that you don’t need to be nagged for weeks or months or years in regards to particular concerns. Hire someone else to help the super with keeping the building clean (why have there been 3 old TVs outside for over 2 years?). Do not claim some concerns are too big to be considered (putting a lock on a door) if you are going to randomly re-paint the lobby for no reason. Stop lying. Actually attempt to make your tenants feel even a little bit heard or that their concerns are valid. Finally: do some upkeep to make the building better instead of continuing to let it crumble. There is a fully open basement: put laundry in there and you will make up your investment almost immediately. Upgrade the stairs from carpet and nails so that no one falls. Learn how to use your security cameras. Ask tenants about their health during a PANDEMIC and initiate new health and safety regulations.
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