867 West 181st Street - EDELSTEIN

The building is one of the coops that went bankrupt and got snapped up in the early 90's by Edelstein (5 Gems, Duncraggen and a host of other business names). It's no longer a true co-op, meaning Edelstein owns almost every unit so he calls all the shots. You get none of the amenities or good maintenance (or screened neighbors) of a coop, also none of the protections of rent stabilization. So be... [more]

The building is one of the coops that went bankrupt and got snapped up in the early 90's by Edelstein (5 Gems, Duncraggen and a host of other business names). It's no longer a true co-op, meaning Edelstein owns almost every unit so he calls all the shots. You get none of the amenities or good maintenance (or screened neighbors) of a coop, also none of the protections of rent stabilization. So be prepared for poor and limited-English building staff (unlicensed), and for surprising rent increases at the whim of Edelstein. As it is, the building is priced at the very top of the market except for a few units which are in relatively worse condition. 4F is one. The building has over 140 outstanding violations, go to the Department of Buildings and you'll see the list. That information is also online on other sales/rental websites. There's a big long history of serious violations going back years. Examples include leaks, bulging walls and ceilings, cracked toilets, mice-waterbugs-blowflies-rats and other vermin, and the latest is new tenants letting their dogs crap in the hallways. No heat or hot water is a weekly event. Water isn't the best quality either, and sometimes no water at all. Elevator is not reliable, there were a number of Fire Department visits this past winter to get trapped people out. That's the short list. If repairs get done at all, they're usually done so badly it's worse than before. The office staff lies like a rug too. Renter beware. [less]