Tenant Reviews for 510 W BELMONT AVE

It is a shame how Belmont tower management treats their tenants, especially the ones paying the full price. The building is under construction for more than a year and tenants have no peace in their apartments, construction starts at 8am so people working night shifts have no sleep at all. On top of that management raised the rents instead of at least lowering them during the construction. Even worst is the situation with the garage, we were thrown out for couple of months, as they said, but that turned out to be more than a year, know they are charging the full price for the garage which is still under construction, ruining the cars parked there. The regular passage through the garage is impossible due to construction trucks in there and all the dust and debris they are creating. Of course management won t take any responsibility for the parked vehicles but very aggressively they are charging you for the parking. Not to mention that management has some contractors coming in to your apartment to change some electrical outlets when nobody is at home and with no escort from anybody from the building. Totally unacceptable My next step is to contact the city of Chicago and HUD to see what can be done to stop this kind of nonsense. I understand that things need to be fixes but within reasonable time and not to be burden for tenants and even more costly when building is under construction. No lease is signed under these conditions. We sign the lease as the building is fixes but it s not even close. Somebody needs to stop this. Since we got this new management living conditions in the building are worst then ever, only people trying to help this situation are the maintenance guys, without them and their building engineer this building would be a total disaster not just disaster as it is know. This building is an example of pure, not qualified and incompetent management from the bottom to the top.

Anyone looking to move in here should be aware that the building has something like 220 Section 8 units, and like 100 full-priced units (these numbers are estimates). The 100 or so full-priced units are still cheaper than in surrounding buildings, but the upkeep of the building has dropped substantially since a new management company took over a few years ago. The maintenance guys are cool, but their bosses are slugs. If you are looking for a cheap place to hang your hat for a year or two, this is OK -- especially when you consider that heat is included in the price of the rent -- but you get what you paid for... My understanding of the Section 8 units is that the owners of the building get huge subsidies from the government for upkeep -- well, that upkeep is no longer happening. If anyone knows any journalists, there is probably a good story in the recent mismanagement here. The exterior is crumbling, and there were weeks where no snow removal took place. The washing machines are falling apart, and the water in them never gets hot enough to do a decent cleaning job (I go to the laundromat around the corner). Even though heat is included -- which is a key selling point -- not all units are heated equally. Mine boils in the winter, while others are freezing cold. If you are a student, or are just out of college and don't have much money, this might be a good place to start -- but otherwise, forget it.

The building is in major disrepair. The office will not see anyone (probably don't want to deal with residents). It is VERY cold during the winter due to in floor heating that doesn't work in my apartment, but VERY hot in others (have to keep windows open on 10 degree days). You take you chances. 50 per cent of the washers and dryers don't work on a regular basis. Snow removal doesn't happen most of the time (residents had to sign a pettition). Closet doors are warped and don't work. It's embarrasing to live here (had a last minute move to chicago).

This place is like a bad soap. Apparenty on Jan 15th 2008 they fired the Building manager for some unknown reason. It becomes more apparrent that the problem is the mamangement company and not the manager--she did not make policy,she just worked here. She may have been a bit opinionated and loud and not so patient but she was just the tip of the iceburg. It just snowed again about 8 inches and they took a long time to clear the snow agin and did a lousy job. I spent my average 1/2 hour digging my own vehicle out AGAIN-- with a bad back! There is still no visable security and the future status of the building as a HUD building is still in question? Before the last Manager was fired(no replacement yet-just like window washers and security and snow removal--none existant or pathetic) By the Landlord tennant Act-the building must notify all tennants at least one year in advance or more,if the building is going condo or they lose HUD funding. In January the old manager posted a bullitan saying in no uncertain terms that " If the Government still offers funding and it is available they have EVERY intention of extending and re-signing their HUD contract" *copies available This and a bunch of other Hyperbolae. IF this building is not going condo : WHY HAVE I NOT GOTTEN A NEW LEASE SINCE IT EXPIRED MONTHS AGO? This building is abslolutely a NIGHTMARE --move in at your own risk!

The newer management company has had almost 2 years now to make changes,and they have. They seem to manage a large number of HUD properties and have filled vancancies here by shuffling mostly "-------" into the building. The older tennants are scared to death. The building has undergone PURELY cosmetic improvements and nothing substancial in the last 2 years.<grass-trees-tiles and wall coverings> The fact is they might have to tear down the parking garage since its in such disrepair and bad shape and there will be Months of hell for anyone whom parks in the buildings lots. The building looks better cosmetically but still needs lots of work. It really is all about location and below ave rent prices for so close to the lake