Harper Square Housing Cooperative

Habitat Building management company is absolutely terrible. I have lived at 1355 N Sandburg for nearly 15 years and never had an issue until this management company took over. As noted in other reviews, revolving door of manager. Existing staff (doormen, maintenance, and parking) all complain that Marla Michalek is difficult to deal with. Incident 1) about Habitat took over we had to change direct withdrawal for assessment fees.

I filled out paperwork appropriately and directly handed it to her. 4 months later Marla is calling me and rudely telling me about all the late fees I have accumulated and how I am delinquent in assessment. I calmly explain to her I gave her all the paperwork. she refuses to believe me and continues to be condescending and nasty to me. I tell her I will come in tomorrow and sort it out (it was 6pm). she calls me back a half hour later and admits she never processed the paperwork and thanks me. then lies to HOA about why I "didnt pay" incident 2) due to management's neglect a pipe bursts (in the summer not winter) in common area and floods my apartment.

I had water coming out electric fixtures, lights, ceiling, baseboards and vents. when I report it to management and ask for a copy of the incident report and insurance for HOA (that I pay for) Marla refuses and tells me that it's not her problem. There was no incident report done. She accuses me of lying and making it up until I tell her I have time stamped photos and videos of the incident. she then kicks me out of her office and files a cease and desist from a lawyer (that I also pay for with my HOA) and refuses to do her job or assist me in any way. incidents 3) we have a mask policy in common areas in our building (notices come from management office) yet Marla and her assistant never wear masks in the building.

Habitat is a terrible company and moving up the food chain in their company I have not had any better results. they just ghost me. NEVER use this company it will cost you money and you will not get any results.

Columbus Plaza has gone from bad to worse. Budget rentals with budget management. Take a look at recent reviews, management is in way over their heads.

This company continues to amaze me. Instead of replying to 3 separate emails that I sent to address how terribly their management is at Columbus Plaza. They decided to respond to my negative review on Google and still not address the situation. They didn't bother reading what I wrote since their response had absolutely nothing to do with my grievances.

Do not move into any of their properties unless you want to be treated like garbage. I've had racial issues, rental issues, and inappropriate treatment from their staff as well as harassment. Do yourself the favor and do not deal with this. It won't ever be resolved and they won't bother to help you either.

I've lived here through numerous management companies. Considering all the requests for attention (some are probably presented as demands), Habitat does a good job managing our property. Managing payments of assessments, vendors and capital improvements takes a lot of time and they do it with relatively few problems. I realize we are not their only client.

Of great concern is the number of residents who break rules or have personal inter-unit beefs which are thrust upon Habitat. No one should expect Habitat to be a referee, but hearing talk among my neighbors, I can tell that the property manager, Shruti, does have to spend a lot of time on personal stuff from residents. Habitat really shows a lot of patience. Perfect? No. I've had clerical-related complaints but in the medium and big picture, they are good. Solid. Very courteous.

Renters Beware! I should have never signed a lease with this company. It has been the worst experience! The most recent review here is about a year old and the oldest 4 years and it seems that there has not been any improvement. Yes, management changes more than one would expect and there is always a new set of surprising rules (never communicated-perhaps made up by the on-site property manager per her whims).

I became aware of this at a tenant meeting where long time tenants complained regarding this. If you are truly looking for an organization that cares about its tenants and are ethical and professional keep searching. The property management is unethical and vindictive. If you do not agree with any mismanagement beware. The property manager will try every way possible to make your stay unbearable; even having your vehicle towed and security unable to stop vandalism to your vehicle which maybe an indication of guilt of property management. Sleeping in my car is preferable to living here!

Unresponsive management in 30 east huron. They have 0 sense of urgency with addressing issues - the elevators are always on fire reserve or down. Look for another property management company.

My experience with this company sucks period in an current building someone i know currently resides in a senior residential building in chicago. Management tends to hire shitty chicago security guards with out landish bad attitudes that no real residential building property owner or owners should have they're love ones deal with period! Outside of the fact Habitat management also hires so called pest exterminators who do a shabby job of controlling roaches, etc., Personally i fault the city of chicago in particularly for allowing Habitat management company to under bid other serious contenders to manage and maintain property in a professional way minus the attitudes one gets with this company and it's many unprofessional security guards

This review is coming from a unit owner in one of the condo managed building of The Habitat Company. I made a mistake one evening by parking in the wrong spot, as I was tired one evening, which is the first time this has ever happened. Often, the building management sends out notices to people if they are parking in the wrong spot for unregistered cars.

My car is registered in the building, however instead of alerting me that my car was parked in the wrong spot, which I could have fixed within minutes, the building allowed for my car to be towed. They could have simply looked up my car registration, but they did not do that. They could have also alerted me after the car was towed, but again they did not do that. Instead, since I do not drive often, I didn't find out for several days later when I went looking for my car.

Since they did not alert me of the issue, I kept paying fees to the towing company each day the car was parked there that I didn't know about it. To follow up this, I brought this issue up the building management and corporate team, and they took no ownership or any fault. They held strong through many correspondences that they were not going to do anything to provide any responsibility of the issue. They highlighted to me they are comfortable treating people with very little care and are incapable of taking fault when they make a mistake.

This company has many one star ratings for a reason -- they are HORRIBLE. Don't take my word for it. Put yourself in there orbit and find out for yourself. You've been warned. Really. Run as far away from them as you can.

While apartment shopping, my fiance and I worked with Evalina Flores, who was our Leasing Consultant, at 1000 S. Clark. I'm pretty certain a part of why we selected this location was because of her. From the moment we stepped in for our appointment, she was beyond pleasant, professional, honest, and most importantly KIND and transparent. She did everything within her power to meet all of our needs. We are beyond grateful for her!

OMG if only I had seen this before tying to work with these people. They are TERRIBLE! Absolutely HoRRible human beings the whole staff. Im warning you DO NOT sign with them! First off, they try to wheel you in with deals of offering one month free. Then they say you apply online and pay $50 application and $300 administration fee. So I do that I apply on line and thats when they start ghosting you off.

First Aimee sends me the lease letter with the wrong unit number. How that happens I don't know. We only looked at one unit (unit 1414) and you have to enter that number to apply. So she's sends me a lease for unit 1012. Um idiot do you think I won't read it. I go back and then she sends me a lease for 11 months versus 12 months. Probably to offset the one month free.

Again Aimee do you not know how to count? I went back and told them I wanted my full refund $350 or they would be having problems. They agreed right away (Simona and supervisor Cherise) cause knew know they were Wrong. It is almost funny thinking how quiet Cherise was on that phone because she knew how wrong they were. You can't tell someone 12 months and then say "sorry Best we can do is 11" WTF? Thank goodness all this happen though cause who knows what it would of been like had I moved in. These people suck! Stay far away!

I would prefer to give this no stars. The elevator situation is horrible in 445 E. Ohio Street. I have only been in this building for 2 months. I had to walk down 20 flights yesterday AGAIN after waiting 30 minutes for an elevator that never showed. I am not a HUD recipient and have no issues living in a HUD building but that doesn't mean the property managers get to neglect the property.

The worse part. I am 35 and healthy. I walked 18 flights with an 83 year old man who was holding on to the railing and panting. I walked with him to make sure he got down safe, and asked if he has done this before and has walked up the 18 flights. his response, well yes when you have to wait an hour for an elevator. How this company can live with itself, letting an 83 year old man walk up and down 18 flights is BEYOND me. If this was your father, grandfather, would you allow this? There are a bunch of elderly and several disabled individuals in this building. This is a disgrace.

The Habitat Company runs Section 8 buildings as well as Presidential Towers and Hubbard Place. I can only tell you how they run Section 8. On Wednesday evening, a half week before, they announce an inspection with a sheet on paper tucked against the doorknob and say that the Illinois Housing Development Authority requires it. Then on Monday they start the inspection.

The Habitat Company already did an "annual inspection" in August 2015 and then did a "mandatory" bedbug inspection on October 2015. The inspection of August 2015 incorporated the elements of the current inspection which is emergency access not impeded and no hazardous conditions present. Now the landlord has separated out half of the inspection and there will 2 annual inspections a year.

You really need to demand entry to our homes twice a year? "This inspection is mandatory. We encourage you to remain at home during this inspection however; if you are not at home we will gain entry into your unit with the key on file"

I am happy to report that my experience with The Habitat Company was pleasant and professional. Leah showed us the available unit at Elm Street Plaza and provided answers to all of my questions regarding the apartment and the entire building. They also offered to upgrade either the appliances or the carpet in the unit before our move-in date which was greatly appreciated. Additionally, since we applied within 24 hours of our apartment tour the move-in fee was credited towards our first months rent. Nick and Angela were also very nice and helpful when we were filling out our applications and they even took time to show us around the unit a second time and provide some additional measurements. Overall, a great experience and I would definitely recommend others in the Chicago Area to consider checking out this and other Habitat properties.

If I could give zero, I would. These guys just took over management of my building and are beyond awful. The first thing they did was of course raise rent a crazy amount. When I went to negotiate, instead of ingratiating themselves to their community and welcoming themselves to (rightfully) wary residents, they just mentioned their need to serve their investors rather than the community's.

Throughout the building, they disguise their changes as "improvements" but meanwhile are slowly changing our lovely building into a guarded prison or dormitory. Instead of freely being able to use our facilities with our ID/fob, which we pay through the nose for mind you, they're now instituting a WRISTBAND policy for residents and guests with limits on how many guests are allowed to visit per apartment. I'm sorry, am I your employee or child?

I pay for the right to be here and right to use my gym, sundeck, etc. I find it offensive that they would limit the number of guests I can bring to my home, or restrict my own usage of my facilities. Basically it's mafia style management where you take it or leave it. Would recommend staying as far away as from any building these guys manage. No wonder their investors are hurting for returns on their properties - that's what happens when you drive all your residents away. Bottom line: STAY AWAY.

The worst people to work with. I tried to find an apartment with my roommate a MONTH in advance and they continually delayed answers. My roommate and I are graduate students so they were concerned with pay, which is understandable but we complied with EVERYTHING they asked for in terms of getting a co-signer and this and that. They waited days to give us an answer which you can imagine was excruciating when the end of the month was nearing.

I eventually had enough, went off on Monica (an employee at this place, BLEH), and I found a place on my own, directly connecting with the owner. As soon as I called to let her know about finding another apartment, I get a notification that the apartment she has is ours. COMPLETE BULLSHIT. They suck to work with, avoid at all costs, seriously better off on Craigslist.

After four years of living with Habitat, I think that it's time to move. First, they were late. almost a month. in returning my security deposit when I moved from one Habitat building to another. Secondly, they lost one of my rent checks. Just, you know, lost it. I had to put a stop payment order on my rent check. No apologies, just a "hey, you owe us." Thirdly, my friend's apartment didn't have a peep-hole.

Just a hole through her door. It took them two months to give her a peep-hole. Talk about security problems! Finally, they waited 117 days to inform me that they hadn't been cashing my rent checks. Apparently, when they scanned them in to cash them, the scanner did not work. Like. did you forget to tell me maybe the day after when you heard from my bank that the checks weren't going through? In terms of adhering to the Chicago Landlord-Tenant Ordinance, I think they may have a little bit of work to do.

Responsive maintenance service. Well-maintained buildings. But most importantly, 5 stars for adhering to the letter of Chicago's landlord-tenant ordinance. Enough said.