Apartment Review

I have no place to vent my frustrations…so I’ll do it here.

James Clow,
Actor from White Plains
470 Convent Ave. Apartment 54
New York, New York 10031

I was a tenant here for 6 months in 2014, and although the pictures looked pretty, many of the issues stem from the man renting the apartment. I just moved out, so this review is somewhat a venting of my frustrations. I didn’t stand up for myself as much as I should have living here. I pray that you won’t have to deal with the same.

Let me start by presenting the facts —

1) Guests are not allowed to stay over. He charged me $400 for a guest to stay over a week.

2) He told me the apartment was fully furnished which included use of the toiletries and bathroom supplies. He then took back his offer and, consequently, deducted $400 from my deposit.

3) Shoes were not to be placed in the hallway, items were not to be moved around, and I was scolded for Skyping in the living room. I would have gladly went to my room if there were stable internet connection from the bedrooms.

4) My deposit check was received 30 days after leaving, and $400 was deducted for him having to “mop the floors” and “throw away boxes”.

5) It seems once you’re on his bad side, you’re on it forever. I cleaned the apartment spot-free as I left, but he said he hired a cleaning service any way. The decision seemed based off spite than necessity.

—

Overall, the experience was very stressful and dramatic. All the rental agreements were done verbally, so I felt a bit duped for getting nothing in writing besides text messages.

If you choose to live here, get things in writing via email. Sign a contract. Take pictures and immediately report in writing any damages or things that can be used against you in the future. You’re always told to do these things, but living here, you should definitely go the extra mile. It’s a shady world out there, and you’re best covering your own butt than playing the “New York Housing” game.

James is a snake in the housing market, and you should treat him as such. Don’t be fooled through first impressions because his actions are a better reflection of his true character.

I’d highly recommend living someplace else place in the area. Washington Heights is very affordable for even ~$200 cheaper. Most places are newly renovated. Because Upper Manhattan is geographically more narrow, most places you’ll live in are highly accessible by many subway lines.

Best of luck in the housing search, and take my review for what you will. It would have been an injustice of me to keep quiet.