Known issues passed between tenants, resolved only after escalation and out-of-pocket cost
Pros
The apartment itself was well-sized and the location is convenient. Issues can eventually be resolved, but only after significant escalation.
Cons
Core systems were unreliable, including AC, plumbing, and appliances. Within months of moving in during a summer heatwave, the wall-unit ACs that came with the apartment failed. I replaced them at my own expense, but the new units also failed due to a structural issue in the wall build-in. Management and the super initially treated AC as a tenant responsibility and did not disclose that prior tenants had experienced similar issues. Conflicting information was provided, with vendors first identifying a structural issue and later reversing that position. The problem was only resolved after escalation to senior management, when part of the wall build-in was removed nearly a month later. This was not an isolated issue. The refrigerator broke and was handled with vague timelines. Vendors entered the apartment without proper notice. Water shutoffs regularly lasted longer than communicated. The building was also consistently noisy, and multiple tenants on the same floor were leaving during my tenancy because of it. Overall, resolving basic issues required persistence, repeated follow-ups, and approximately $6,500 out of pocket to maintain livable conditions.
Advice to the owners
Address recurring structural issues permanently rather than passing them between tenants. Take ownership of building infrastructure problems upfront instead of defaulting to tenant responsibility. Align communication between management, the super, and vendors to avoid conflicting explanations. Provide accurate timelines and proper notice for maintenance and access. Most importantly, resolve core habitability issues without requiring tenants to escalate or incur personal expense.
Not worth it
Pros
Location because it was convenient to what I needed
Cons
Everything. This building is old with no amenities yet they charge nearly luxury rent prices. There were small and big roaches, so you have to be on top of allowing the exterminator in every month. Skip a month at your own risk. The hallway carpeting would smell dank when it rained.
Advice to the owners
Upgrade the building.
