Great location, terrible management
Pros
The people who live there and the neighborhood is wonderful, great views, affordable living, easy access to and from highway, quiet area
Cons
The maintenance of the property's trash and pest control services is continually poor - there is an ongoing rat infestation and has been for a few years. The rats ate their way up through part of the apartment building last fall and ruined a neighbor's apartment in the middle of the night because pest control was mis-managed. The garbage cans are all eaten through, there's always trash out front in the building's courtyard and directly on the sidewalk when pickup days occur. The snow was not shoveled/removed timely. No gas service for over 7 months and the heat/hot water is continually problematic. The landlord is a corporate one funded by "investors" and lacks good communication and scheduling skills with tenants. They do not give adequate notice and the repairs are poorly and incompletely made.
Advice to the owners
More timely and thorough communication with tenants - make a phone list or BCC list for building wide announcements, remove chain link prison yard type fencing at front and add new rat-resistant trash cans in its place (not in front of tenant windows), clean up back yard, re-structure invoicing system to allow for reduct & repair, hire more competant/licensed contractors for outside work, follow up with contractor & tenant when work is complete - a manager or building rep should be present to inspect larger repairs after "completion", perform building maintenance regularly - trash removal, sidewalk clearing, steps washing, handrail securing, etc.
Massive Rat Infestation +1yr
Pros
Incredible view and friendly neighbors. Rent stabilized and spacious units.
Cons
The common areas (lobby, stairwell, entry paths and gardens) are not at all cleaned or maintained. The new owners removed the beautiful historic stairwell facade at the front of the building and let the gardens die leaving dirt plots covered in rat burrows and trash and surrounded by chain link fencing. The trash is moderately maintained however spill over trash is piled in the front of the building so as you enter all you see are rats, trash and debris. Out of the backside of the building in view of bedroom windows there is a literal junkyard of old appliances, tires, metal scraps. There is also a tenant who allows his mentally ill "friend" into the building and they have super loud screaming/physical fights that result in cops being called. He has threatened and assaulted people in the building resulting in restraining orders with multiple tenants. Landlord is unresponsive to most requests and gives placating answers when asked what is being done about the issues.
Advice to the owners
Immediate action needs to be taken with regards to the rats. Remove trash, debris and junk in front and back of the building. Bring back the garden!
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