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More Reasons Why You Need To Look At Reviews Before You Make Your Housing Choice

Whose Your Landlord has the mission of making quality living the standard for all by giving renters ownership of their situation by putting housing in their hands. With that being said, we are excited to launch our listings in beta. This is a housing search like you’ve never done before- you get direct insight into what your peers thought of the house YOU are looking at AND all of this is on one spot- on our site!

Here are more stories based on renters’ experiences. Let this be a cautionary tale to you- make sure to look at reviews before you choose housing on Whose Your Landlord to ensure you have the best living experience possible.

“My landlord knew my daily routine inside and out, so she knew exactly when I would be gone each day. When I left for school or work, my landlord would invite herself in to ‘check on the place.’ ‘Checking on the place’ translated into her coming in to hang out with my dog and snooping through all my personal things on a weekly basis.”

“After a leak started that destroyed some of my assignments and electronics, my landlord workers decided that would be the perfect time to break for the day. The leak spread to my roommate’s closet, destroying many of her expensive textbooks. We used our towels to clean up the disgusting water, which my landlord promised to wash them for us. Months later, we found them behind the washer, covered in mold and obviously not washed. Speaking of mold, my landlord tried to hide the fact that mold was growing outside of our doors in the hallway. Heat wasn’t installed until late November, but it was promised to us when we moved in.”

“After I reported my landlord to L & I and she was properly cited, she filed for eviction. How did I find out about this? She TEXTED me my eviction notice.”

“I signed a five-month lease for my spring semester. I am not even a month into it and on four different occasions I have seen mice crawling around the kitchen area. There are holes in the wall, and when I contacted my landlord about it, she said it’s my fault and I need to pay for the exterminator because I’m a ‘pig’. She is unresponsive, and takes advantage of college renters by making up dollar amounts of of repairs that she claims took place.”

“Make sure you get a receipt if you ever rent from this landlord- we had many money problems with him. He will tell you he will mail you a receipt-but that never happens. If you give him a check that bounces, and then pay with cash instead, make sure to get the check back because he will try to deposit it as well.”

Make sure this doesn’t happen to you. Look at reviews WHILE you are finding your next home on Whose Your Landlord!

Why You NEED To Look At Reviews Before You Make Your Housing Choice

Here are some of stories based on renters’ experiences. Let this be a cautionary tale to you- make sure to look at reviews before you choose housing on Whose Your Landlord to ensure you have the best living experience possible.

“My landlord is not trustworthy and takes advantage of new renters. We left the apartment in better shape than the condition it was in when we first moved in, but he took us to court to pay for the damages that he fixed while we were living there. But, he never paid us back for the work we did ourselves to get the mold out of the apartment. Speaking of payments, when we would give him cash for rent, he would claim we were late for rent and told us we were a month behind, when in fact we were on time. After we moved out, he filed for us to be evicted…when we were already gone.”

“My landlord would not respond to our emails and calls for days. After their was a leak in the bathroom, she left holes in our ceiling for over a year. When we contacted her about needing an exterminator, she put off calling one for months and a professional company never came. Without contacting us, she would let her employees come in and out of our unit. She made up damages and deducted random amounts from our security deposits. After handing in our keys, she refused to return our security deposit for three months until we took her to court.”

“The overall building is run-down and outdated- there was a dead, half-decayed cat rotting in the fire escape for my entire two-year stay. At one point, we had no running water for five days. The windows are screwed shut from the inside, which a) is illegal and b) meant we couldn’t open the windows for fresh air. In the winter, they kept the heat below the legal limit until the city contacted them about the issue. The landlord and maintenance guy entered the apartment over 10 times without prior consent, and they would remove my property from my apartment and later claim it was ‘stolen’.”

“When I tell this story, I use the term ‘landlord’ loosely because this individual did not even have a license to rent out the apartment. He claimed his name was Mark and did not live at the property. He said that the garage-items in the laundry room were from another tenant and he would have that tenant come get them. Well, that ‘other tenant’ actually turned out to be Mark, who lived upstairs the whole time! After that, I had to beg him to move his stuff out so I could get an electrician to install a ceiling fan.”

“For the past three months, I’ve been sleeping on trash bags in my living room. Why? Because a bedbug situation wasn’t handled correctly by my landlord. Therefore, I’ve been camping out in my living room for three months and I had to throw out the majority of my furniture.”

Make sure this doesn’t happen to you. Look at reviews WHILE you are finding your next home on Whose Your Landlord!

WYL Launches Listings in Beta!

Whose Your Landlord is excited to announce we are officially launching our listings in Beta! This means that during this time, we are working with on-boarding landlords so that renters can find their homes here. Landlords- for you, this means post your listings FOR FREE! We have also made a lot of headway in signing up home providers, so be on the lookout for that. We are also partnering with universities so that college students have a seamless housing search. So, during our beta time, we want to hear from you! What do you like? What could we do better? Help us help you have the best way to find your home.

We cannot wait to bring quality to the rental experience.

#apartmenthunting #rent #landlord

City School Vs. College Town- How to Pick the Best Campus Setting for You

Applications are already all sent, and College Decision Day is just around the corner. Now is the first of many life’s biggest decisions: which college setting should you choose? The typical college town, or the more urban environment. Here’s your guide to picking what atmosphere is best for you!

How important is a campus to you? This is the most important factor. For the next four (+) years do you want more of a small town feel with everything centered around your school? Or do you want your university to have more of a supporting role in your college years where an entire city is your stage?

How important is typical ‘college life’ to you? Are you all about being a part of a ‘self-contained’ campus- meaning that the vast majority of activities you will participate are school affiliated? This also means that the surrounding area will be your campus and because everything you need is contained right in that proximity, you will be spending the majority of your time on that campus, opposed to a city school. While some city schools have a campus, the campus has a more fluid feel, meaning that there is a whole city to explore that is disconnected from campus.

How much of a real world experience are you looking for? While college is meant to prepare students for the ‘real world’, city school environments usually foster a more direct approach to the real world. In life after college, never again will you be dealing with people exclusively from your school like you do in a college town environment. On the contrary, a city school exposes you to people from all walks of life and people from that city who aren’t necessarily connected to your school.

Could you see yourself living in a city? It takes a certain level of tenacity to live in the city opposed to a more rural atmosphere. Living in a city is tough- with the hustle and bustle, some days it feels like it can chew you up and spit you out. Both have their pros and cons, so before you make your decision, make sure you can see yourself living in either of those environments!

#housing college collegedecisions WYLCommunity

Taste Test Coast-to-Coast: 11 Cities with the Food that Defines Them

As millennials, we travel a lot. Whether it is for school, work, or relocating, we find ourselves finding many places ‘home’, no matter how temporary it may be. So whether you find yourself in these cities for a weekend or for a while, here are the staple foods you must try during your stay!

1) Phoenix- Chimichangas

Because of its proximity to the Mexican border, there is some spicy flare in Phoenix cuisine. During your stay in this Southwestern state, make sure to try a Chimichanga, which is a delicious deep fried burrito.

2) Philadelphia- Cheesesteak

This is a no brainer. If you ever find yourself in the City of Brotherly Love, you must try the sandwich that is so intertwined to the city’s identity AND a tourist attraction, a cheesesteak. Wiz practically flows in this city’s veins!

3) Los Angeles- Cobb Salad

Paired with avocados being a state staple AND the fact that you need a beach bod year round in Cali, you will never get a fresher salad than a Cobb Salad in SoCal.

4) Denver: Denver Sandwich

This simple yet delicious sandwich was created because Chinese cooks, who were partial to egg foo, prepared it as an easy meal for the workers on the Transcontinental Railroad. It is just a Western Omelette in between two pieces of bread.

5) Miami: Sandwich Cubano

Created in Floridian cafes run by Cuban immigrants, the Cubano is ham, mustard, Swiss cheese, and dill pickles on a baguette.

6) Chicago: Horseshoe Sandwich

The horseshoe is a heart attack between two thick slices of Texas Toast, but a delicious heart attack nonetheless! It consists of a hamburger patty and French Fries smothered in a cheese based secret sauce between the Texas Toast.

7) New Orleans: Muffuletta

A New Orleans staple, you have to try the Muffuletta. The Muffuletta comes service in either quarters, halves, or full-sized on a sesame Sicilian bun. Inside are layers of mortadella, provolone, mozzarella, salami, and olive salad.

8) Baltimore: Crab Cake Sandwiches

Known for their abundance of Maryland crab, you cannot go wrong with this staple. Classic but delicious, it is simply a crab cake in between a bun.

9) Boston: New England Clam Chowder

A visit to Beantown calls for a bowl of their famous clam CHOWDAH. This hearty chowder is one delicious way to protect yourself from those bone-chilling Bostonian winters.

10) Atlanta: Fried Chicken & Waffles

Opposites attract. I’m not sure who decided to pair together fried chicken and waffles, but I’m sure glad they did! Just pour some syrup on both and enjoy!

11) Buffalo: Buffalo Chicken Wings

Arguably the best part of watching a sporting event is the snacks that come with it. While wings are a game day staple, to get the BEST wings in the game, you’ve got to go to where they originated: Buffalo, New York. The next time you are in Buffalo, make sure to stop by the Anchor Bar, the birthplace of the hot wings with celery and blue cheese as sides!

Things We Have Issues With- Moving

Moving- just the word can send shivers down your spine. Especially as a millennial, we move constantly. From city to city, apartment to apartment, the place we call ‘home’ can frequently change. There are only so many times you can ask for the help of family and friends to move before you are considered a serious mooch. We have your back though!

While we personally won’t help you move, Whose Your Landlord’s goal is always to make quality living the standard. So, we want to help you find the quality services that enhance your life. Moving is the topic.

Things that make moving difficult:

1) If you are moving from city to city or even across the country, not being able to find movers that can assist in the cross-country move

2) Movers who only insure possessions by weight, for example only 30-60 cents per pound. Newsflash- some of the things that have the most monetary value are the smallest!

3) Boxes, crates, and other things that make moving easy- who has that just laying around?

4) Time- as millennials, we are already too busy moving and shaking in our own lives to actually have too much time to worry about literally moving! So, we need the fastest and most efficient movers in the game.

Here are the most common pain points millennials have when it comes to moving. Keep posted #WYLCommunity, we have the solution for you!

#moving #movers #housing #apartment #WYLCommunity

6 Ways to Get Along With Your Roommate

Whether you are in college or a working professional, you will deal with roommates at least once in your lifetime. According to Statista, the percentage of adults in the United states having at least one roommate is on the rise. In 2002, 25.4% of all adults in the US lived with roommates- by 2012, it surged to 32%. In cities, the numbers are even higher. With a large sector of the adult population sharing their home, we’ve come up with 6 surefire ways that your living situation will be smooth-sailing with you and your roomie(s). 1. Don’t Get Mad at Every Little Thing

Let’s face it, if you are sharing 4 walls with anyone, inevitably there are going to be disagreements. Before blowing up at every tendency your roommate has, wait 24 hours to get mad. If it doesn’t bother you after that 24 hour time period, then let it go because it obviously was not worth it. No need to start WWIII over your roommate accidentally leaving the kitchen light on one time.

2. Don’t be Passive Aggressive

A great rule of thumb: If you wouldn’t say it to their face, don’t send it in a text or write it as a passive aggressive whiteboard message. If you have a problem with your roommate, make sure you address it in a respectful manner.

3. Set Clear Rules Early

It is important to set clear rules and boundaries with your roommate once you move in. At the beginning, you could feel more inclined to let your roommate eat the pasta you bought, or you don’t mind unloading their laundry out of the dryer. But if this continues to be the norm, it will only add stress and could lead to a potentially awkward conversation. Instead, set the expectations early so there is no confusion, frustration, and tension.

4. Decide If You Are Sharing Staples

Similarly to setting rules early, decide what you will and won’t be sharing from the beginning. That way, it is clear if you are going dutch on things like milk, toilet paper, and laundry detergent or if it is every man for himself. This is the best way to avoid a potential mooching roommate situation

5. Clean Up after Yourself/Split Household Responsibilities

Nothing can spark a roommate fight faster than the roommate that doesn’t pull his or her weight with household responsibilities. When you are sharing a living space with others, remember that it is their home too and you need to respect that. So, do your own dishes, don’t leave your stuff lying around in the common rooms, and split other chores, such as dusting and mopping, equally amongst the roommates. The best way to split it is to have weekly chores that rotate between roommates.

6. Don’t Let Problems Pile Up

One of the most important factors in getting along with roommates is open and respectful communication. It is imperative that if you want to guarantee a successful relationship, address problems as they come. If you bottle them up, this could result into exploding over the most trivial occurrence

#roommate #roommies #landlord tenant #apartment

Whose Your _Moving Company__?

Whose Your Landlord has a few main objectives. We are all about 1) quality living being the standard and 2) putting ownership of any situation in your hands! Therefore, we are starting the Whose Your ____? Series, where we will tell YOU what quality places are the best in the business.

Since we are app that enables renters to find their next home and to review their landlords and housing complexes, what better way to kick off the series than choosing a moving company. #WYLCommunity, Whose Your moving company?

#moviing #housing #wylcommunity

12 Words You Need to Know If You Live in Philly

For Philly natives, slang and the pronunciation of words comes second nature. For newer Philadelphians, without knowing what keywords and phrases are, it is very easy for ‘youse’ to get lost in the conversation. Whose Your Landlord has the Philly dictionary you need to hold a conversation with all Philadelphians, born-and-raised.

Cheesesteak

Philadelphia’s beloved sandwich, made with sliced steak served on a long roll. (Ex. Who has a better cheesesteak- Pat’s or Geno’s?)

Whiz The gooey, cheesy deliciousness found atop a cheesesteak. (Ex. What type of cheese should I get on my cheesesteak- American, provolone, or whiz?

Wit/Witout How to order fried onions on your cheesesteak, meaning with or without the onions. (Ex. Whiz wit means you will be getting a cheesesteak, smothered in cheese whiz and topped with fried onions)

Youse Philly Version of y’all (Ex. What are youse doing later?)

Shore Also known as ‘The Jersey Shore.’ These are the beaches on the New Jersey coast and are the most popular vacation destination for Philadelphians. (Ex. Can’t wait to go down the shore this summer!)

Jimmies

No ice cream cone is complete without Jimmies, which are known to the rest of the world as ‘sprinkles.’ (Ex. Can I have a vanilla cone with rainbow jimmies?)

MAC machine Money Access Center’, or more commonly referred to as an ATM. (Ex. Where’s the nearest MAC machine I need to get out money?)

Jawn A noun to describe anything. A jawn can literally be any person, place, or thing.(Ex. Can you pass me that jawn?)

Water Ice (Pronounced Wooder Ice)

A delicious summer treat that is synonymous with Italian Ice. (Ex. It’s hot out- let’s go to Rita’s to get water ice!)

Drawlin’ Acting out of character/Doing something that others don’t approve of. (Ex. If you don’t come out tonight you’re drawlin’).

Boul A word to describe a male. (Ex. The boul over there has on fresh kicks.)

Ard Philly slang for alright. (Ex. Gotta go but I will see you later! Ard. Talk to you later!

#WYLCommunity, what Philly slang do youse use the most? Let us know!

6 Cities with the Best Public Transportation

For millennials, a huge factor of where to move is the proximity to work and fun things to do. While a car can be a burden in some cities (i.e. parking and heavy traffic), lack of availability and accessibility to public transportation is worse. For all you hustle-and-bustlers out there, Whose Your Landlord has a list of the cities with the best public transportation so you can navigate your city with ease and a metro card!

NYC It is no secret that the most populated city in the US also has the fastest and most accessible public transportation system. On the island of Manhattan alone, there are over a million jobs within a thirty minute walking distance, so it makes sense that the city has one of the largest subway systems in the world.

San Francisco Because the city is so compact, city dwellers in San Francisco find it easier to get around by public transportation! San Francisco Municipal Railway, or Muni for short, is the network of bus, streetcar, trolley, and cable car lines within the city. They have stops in every tourist destination, shopping and residential areas in the city.

Philadelphia Southeastern Public Transportation Authority, or SEPTA, is the collection of bus routes, trolleys, subways, and trains that transports Philadelphians in, out and around the city. The regional rail lines are the most impressive, with shuttling residents from the suburbs of Philadelphia in and out of the city daily.

DC Known for having one of the cleanest public transportation systems in the nation, the Metro in DC operates as a two-fold: there is both a rail and bus system. Both the Metrorail and Metrobus systems have stops at major landmarks, tourist destinations, and popular intersections.

Boston The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, or the T for short, is comprised of subway, bus, commuter rail and boat lines to get in around the city with ease.

6. Denver The RTD in Denver offers a unique option for people with a car in the city. To complement the bus, rail, and skyrail services,Park-n-Rides have free to low cost parking lots around public transportation options so you can get door-to-door service.

6 Best Times in Your Life to Move to a Different City

“I always wonder why birds choose to stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on the earth, then I ask myself the same question.”

Do the bartender, deli, and barista all know your orders for every drink and meal you have? Have you exhausted every tourist attraction in your city? Do you feel that you can no longer grow at your current place of work? Do you think that there is more out there for you than your city can provide for you? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it might be time to take the leap to a new city. Here are the 6 best times for you to consider packing your bags and moving to a different city!

1. You Just Graduated For the majority of recently-graduated millennials, once you are fresh out of college, you have the least amount of responsibilities. Typically you have no kids, no husband or wife, no stable career (yet), and no permanent living situation. All of these variables mean that there isn’t much tying you down to the current city you are in, so it is the perfect opportunity to start your freshman year of adulthood anywhere else.

2. You Never Lived in Another City Before Life is all about growth, new experiences, and widening your perspective. How is it possible to experience new cultures, ideas, or people if you’ve been surrounded by the same scenery for your whole life? Remember- you are not a tree. You are not rooted in your home(city). Pack your bags and experience a new adventure! 3. You Can No Longer Grow In Your Workspace Staying in the same place for a long time can stunt your career growth. After a while, you can hit the ceiling in your workspace, without room to grow in your career. Outgrowing your current job is a great indicator that it could be time to look for bigger and better opportunities elsewhere.

4. You are Ready for A Career Change Over time, passions change. Whether you want to pursue a different career path or have built up the courage to go after your dream career, a new location could be the perfect start to your life’s new direction

5. You are Ready to Be Completely Independent When you live in the same place or area that you have grown up in, you have all of the conveniences that come with being at home. A strong network of friends and family, knowledge of the best places to eat/drink/explore around, and if you live at home with your parents- free room, board, food, and laundry! If you are ready to leave these comforts, then it would be a good time to pack up and ship out.

6. You Have Experienced All Your City Has to Offer There are ample activities in every city for every type of adventurer out there. But, if you’ve explored every nook and cranny of your city and you’ve become bored with the same old thing and have been there, done that on every suggestion a friend brings up, it is time to start looking for your new home!

6 Household Items To Use For an At-Home Workout

Keeping up with a New Year’s resolution- specifically working out- is tough. Losing weight and maintaining a fit lifestyle round out the top of the new year’s resolution list. The initial ‘new year, new me’ feeling has faded away by now-by the end of the first week of January, 25% of Americans will have given up their goal. In fact, according to Forbes, 92% of Americans will fail to achieve their resolution. Why? Lack of time to squeeze in a new habit usually is the biggest factor as to why most Americans give up their dreams on self-improvement for the year. Whose Your Landlord has the easiest hacks to keep your resolution on track- right from the inside of your own home.

No need for the pricey gym membership- get fit right in your home while using these 6 household items!

-For under $20, purchase a doorway pull-up bar. Secure it in your bedroom doorway, and just like that, you can get in all of your pull-up, chin-up, and leg raise reps. For a complete pull-up bar workout routine, click here.

-Whether you live in a home or an apartment- you most likely have the original StairMaster- your steps! Walking up and down steps burns 4-16 calories, depending on your weight, so run up and down your flights of stairs for a quick calorie cut.

-We all know that moving is heavy lifting, so replicate the experience in a daily workout. Fill up a cardboard box with books, picture frames, magazines or other household items. Hold the box while you do squats or lunges for added weight.

-Your floor isn’t the only place to do a push-up. Try a vertical push-up using your counter top. Stand several feet away from the counter and place your hands a little closer together than shoulder-width apart. From there, make sure you completely keep your body flat as you push down so your chest touches the counter, then come back up, and repeat.

-Lever weights aren’t just found in the gym- your couch can be used as a makeshift one. Squat on one side of your couch, curl your finger on the bottom of the couch, and lift it. once you are standing upright, hold the couch for a few moments, then put it back down and repeat.

-Got milk? Using 2 gallon jugs of milk (usually weighing approximately 8.5 lbs. each) are a great substitute for dumbbells.

#new years resolution #workoutfromhome #apartment #landlord tenant #wylcommunity

Should You Live On or Off Campus?

January and February are the hottest months for students to start the housing search for the upcoming year. USA Today reports that behind death and divorce, MOVING is the most stressful experience in one’s life. Yes, DEATH and DIVORCE are the only two stressors that trump moving. Moving for college students is an equally stressful experience. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered in a short amount of time. How many people do I want to live with? How many people can I live with based on where I choose? Who do I want to live with? And the biggest debate of them all- to make the move off campus or to live in residential housing. Whose Your Landlord is here to help you decide what move to make for next semester!

Compare Costs

The costs of off-campus renting compared to on-campus housing vary from college to college. So, the cheaper option depends on where you go to school. If living off-campus is cheaper, remember the additional costs that rent might not cover (utilities, Internet, cable, etc.). While costs differ between universities, how you pay for each is the same. On-campus housing requires a lump sum payment before each semester while off-campus living is a rent check once a month. Because the payment of off-campus living is broken down more than living on-campus, remember that much more budgeting is required.

Remember the Responsibilities

Consider how much responsibility you would like to have in your housing situation. With living on-campus, a lot of the responsibility is out of your hands. Someone is at the front desk to alert you when your mail comes, utilities and Internet are all-included, and security precautions are already set in place. Not to mention, a majority of universities require you to purchase a meal plan if you live on-campus, so cooking is taken care of for you. But, as a renter in an off-campus apartment, you have to cross over to the ‘real world’. Once you rent off-campus, you will have renter’s profile, so it is your job to make sure that profile is a positive reflection of yourself for the next time you rent. As a renter, you will also be paying cable and utilities, which contributes to your credit score. Because your credit score is on the line, it is vital that you make these payments every month. Since off-campus housing is equipped with a kitchen, the need for a full meal plan becomes obsolete. Even if you only get a partial meal plan, it is still your responsibility to grocery shop and cook for yourself on a daily basis.

Compare Convenience

Compared to each other, on-campus housing and off-campus housing each have their own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to convenience. For on-campus housing, the proximity to classes and university buildings and coming fully-furnished is more convenient than its off-campus renting counterpart. But, off-campus renting is more convenient when it comes to year-round living and no guest policies.

Making this decision is not an easy one- make sure to create a pros and con list that outlines the advantages and disadvantages of both on-campus and off-campus housing. Remember to do your research- check out reviews on Whose Your Landlord to learn about other people’s experiences on and off campus!

#college #college dorms #apartment #whoseyourlandlord #wylcommunity #rent #landlord

Checklist to Prepare Your Home for the Winter Months

With cold months ahead, it is important to make sure that your home is equipped to handle winter weather emergencies. Take a look at this list to make sure you are not only prepared for the frosty temperatures, but an emergency situation as well.

It is important to know that the official heating season is from October 1st to May 31st. During this time, according to the Public Advocate for the City of New York, if the temperature is below 55 degrees outside, the heat in the building has to be at least 68 degrees between 6 am and 10 pm. During the night, between 10 pm and 6 am, the heat must be at least 55 degrees if the temperature outside is below 40 degrees.

In the event that your power goes out, make sure to have the following:

-A portable charger for your phone in case it dies

- Flashlights with extra batteries

-Candles (with lighter or matches)

-Extra blankets (it will get cold)

- Electric portable space heaters

- Drinking water - Canned food/Food that requires no cooking

-First-aid kit

So your pipes don’t burst, do the following: -Put heat near the pipes so they don’t burst (open cabinet doors under sinks so pipes are exposed to warmer air) -Leave all water taps open to allow for continuous dripping -Thaw pipes with an electric blowdryer

Philly Neighborhoods that are the Most Bang for Your Buck

With 35% of Americans renting homes (that means 43 MILLION PEOPLE), it is important to find a place at an affordable price. While it is known affectionately as the ‘City of Brotherly Love’, that love does not transfer to the wallet. According to The Business Insider, Philly is the 12th most expensive city in the US for renters, with the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom coming in at a whooping $1,340. While it is difficult to find an affordable place without sacrificing a great location, Whose Your Landlord has come up with the 4 Philly neighborhoods that are the biggest bang for your buck.

1. Fishtown- Average rent: $1,027

Within recent years, Fishtown is arguably one of the most up-and-coming neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Known for its new ‘cool and artistic’ vibe, The Fillmore completely rejuvenated the area and is a huge draw for locals and visitors alike. Fishtown’s Greatest Attractions: The Fillmore Little Baby’s Ice Cream & Pizza Bran (America’s first pizza museum!) Penn Treaty Park

2. South Philly- Average rent $852 Birthplace of the famous Philadelphia cheesesteak and home to all of the city’s sport teams, South Philly has the charm of a family neighborhood but the right amount of buzz to never be bored. South Philly’s Greatest Attractions: The stadiums (Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park, Wells Fargo Center) The Italian Market Shopping and Eating on Passyunk Ave

3. Olde Kensington- Average rent $762 Nestled between Northern Liberties and Fishtown, Olde Kensington used to be an industrialized neighborhood because of its proximity to the waterfront. Now, it is an affordable neighborhood with an artistic air that comes from its Fishtown neighbor. Olde Kensington Greatest Attractions: Penn’s Landing Race Street Pier Paesano’s

4. Brewerytown- Average rent $702 Getting its namesake from all of the breweries that lined the Schuylkill in the late eighteen hundreds to early nineteen hundreds. While it is now primarily a quiet residential area, there are many attractions that line Girard Avenue. Brewerytown’s Greatest Attractions: Fairmount Park North Star Bar Lemon Hill Mansion

#landlord tenant #rent #apartment #millennial #housing #philadelphia #whoseyourlandlord #wylcommunity

2015′s 10 Best-Rated Landlords in Philadelphia

Written by Brittany Lewis

WhoseYourLandlord’s mission is to make quality living the standard for all. To do this, we create a transparent conversation between tenants and landlords. Tenants, both current and previous, have the opportunity to rate and review their landlord. This gives prospective tenants the opportunity to see what other tenants thought of that property and the landlord, as well as landlords to respond to the reviews.

Reviews are important today. As a society, we review professors, restaurants, movies and everything in-between. In fact, 80% of consumers trust a peer’s advice over hearing directly from the company. With that being said, WhoseYourLandlord has compiled a list of the 10 best and 10 worst landlords in Philadelphia. In order for the landlord or property to be on the list, they had to have had at least 3 reviews.

Below, are the landlords and properties in the city of Philadelphia with the BEST ratings and reviews on Whose Your Landlord. Each is complete with their average score and an excerpt of their reviews. While going through each review on WhoseYourLandlord, there are many common themes. Respect, communication, and transparency are three of the biggest factors that dictate what list these landlords fall on. See if your landlord or property falls on this list, and review your landlord so your peers will be informed before move-in day.

THE BEST:

4.9 Robin Apartments

“This family run business is truly a gem in that you get both affordable city living AND amazing customer service…The staff was always incredibly friendly and super responsive. Mr Robin was always prompt about notifying us of any upcoming maintenance work. The apt itself was great. The kitchen and bathroom had been renovated and they did a great job with keeping everything in working order...Anytime I had issues, they fixed it within 24 hours. I've never changed a light bulb before so I called the office to ask what type of light bulb I should buy for my overhead ceiling fan/light and within a few hours, someone was over with extra light bulbs and replaced it for me. I cannot emphasize enough how responsive their staff has been.”

4.9 Glen at Shawmont Station

“It's well positioned between Ctr. City and the suburbs of Philly. People have nice, cool pets. The place is clean and quiet. They have a mini gym, which is great for cardio, and an internet cafe for the residents to use. The community is just so awesome and I love my neighbors.”

4.9 The Lofts

“I couldn't ask for a better situation.”

4.8 Ethan Giller

“Ethan is a fair, responsible, and responsive landlord. He is always looking to make improvements to his properties and will often notice things in need of repair before we do. He's definitely the best landlord I've had in Philadelphia.”

4.6 Cecilia Straznik

“Cecilia is great. We've had no problems getting a hold of her and the rare occasions that we had issues she took care of them in a timely fashion. The place is priced very fairly for the neighborhood as well. The best landlord I've had.”

4.6 2116 Chestnut

“You can't go wrong with this apartment. It's beautiful, the staff is friendly, and the community is respectful.”

4.6 Montgomery Plaza Apartments

“Received my security deposit back with no issue... Really a great place with an amazing staff and you see how it trickles down to how neighborhoodly this place feels. People are close and respectful of one another. Really a strong community base here.”

4.6 Goldtex Apartments

“The staff is very nice and do a good job. There's gym access with good equipment. Great place to call home!”

4.5 The View

“The best thing about The View is: Location, freedom, FREE laundry. Good place to live!”

4.5 The Metropolitan

“I currently live at the Metropolitan with my girlfriend and could not be happier... Before we moved in, everything was detailed, cleaned and repainted. The loading dock and freight elevator was scheduled for us so we could move in easily. Fran, our maintenance guy, Louis, and the rest of the front desk staff are helpful and amazing... Joanne and the rest of her staff do an amazing job of coordinating the administrative end of things - rent, key fobs, communication, and the like. Occasionally the elevators go down, but there's always one that's running and it gets fixed immediately. Work orders are given in at the front desk and are almost always fixed by the end of the day…”

#housing #apartment #landlord tenant #rent #whoseyourlandlord #wylcommunity

10 WORST Landlords in Philadelphia

Written by Brittany Lewis

Below, are the landlords and properties in the city of Philadelphia with the WORST ratings and reviews on Whose Your Landlord. Each is complete with their average score and an excerpt of their reviews. While going through each review on WhoseYourLandlord, there are many common themes. Respect, communication, and transparency are three of the biggest factors that dictate what list these landlords fall on. See if your landlord or property falls on this list, and review your landlord so your peers will be informed before move-in day.

1.8 Shalini Barack

“You should never, I repeat NEVER rent from her and her husband. I've never met more disrespectful and awful people in my life! There was always an issue we needed to address with her. Workers came in without Them. They came in without notice. They even took some of my stuff and put it out for the trash!! Not respectful people I hope they go out of business ASAP.”

1.8 Kardon Atlantic Apartment

“Constantly losing maintenance requests. The place is severely poorly ventilated. They're known to double your rent costs when you look to renew. They get you in with a small amount and then jack it up last minute.”

1.8 Yamit Haba

“Yamit would not respond to our emails and calls until days after. She left holes in our ceiling for over a year after their was a leak in the bathroom above. She put off calling an exterminator for months and never had a professional company come. She allowed her employees to enter our unit without ever contacting us. Lastly, she never returned our security deposit until we took her to court 3 months after handing in our keys. She is completely incompetent and expects her tenants to pay for all of the maintenance on her properties. She will lie to you about everything and never be on time. She just makes up damages and thinks she can deduct any amount she chooses from your security deposit. Don't be afraid to take her to court, you will definitely win.”

1.9 Sterling Apartment Houses

“Construction is awfully ran. They reserve the right to move you at any moment in time if the construction finds it way to your front door. (THIS ALREADY HAPPENED TO ME). There's a lot of little sh*t packed in the lease, so be aware of that! .....You're also only allowed 1 guest pass. What's the point of a deck if only you and a friend can be up there? It doesn't make sense.”

2.0 Phyllis Weinstock

“RUN AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN! Unresponsive.. Cheap.. Manipulating.. Dishonest.. Nasty.. unreliable.. just a few words to describe Phyllis Weinstock. A total scam artist. She completely takes advantage of the young adult college students that rent from her. She does not return calls... she makes up $ amounts for repairs she claims took place.. she manipulates the things you say to her or ask her for.. she is currently trying to steal our security deposit for "repairs she made" aka DIDNT MAKE and for "damage to the apartment" THAT WAS THERE WHEN WE MOVED IN.. this woman is a total nightmare. A true life.. real deal slumlord!! I do not have a nice word to say about this lady. DO NOT LEASE FROM HER... YOU WILL BE SORRY!!! As far as the ONE AND ONLY good comment below.. after dealing with her back and forth for so long.. it is CLEARLY HER. Her wording is unique! All of us reviewers can’t be wrong.. read this..think .. and make a smart educated decision. PHYLLIS IS A DISASTER!!”

2.2 Rent Campus

“Extremely unprofessional. Everybody blames somebody else. "Oh the landlord was supposed to... no the broker was responsible. .. it wasn't me, it wasn't us.... Try to end the lease and we'll sue you!!!" They rarely answer after you sign the lease but are always annoyed when you ask for things you were promised, Internet, maintenance, KEYS TO PROPERTY!”

2.2 Dmitry Yukhananov

“Showed up without letting us know. Never fixed things that were broken. Always said the place was dirty and would threaten to withhold our security deposit for various reasons. If I didn't answer a phone call he would call over and over again, even when I was in class or working or not in Philly.”

2.4 Kendall Singleton

“He made up a bunch of reasons to keep our security deposit and tried charging us $2,000, which he couldn't do within the lease. The only reason he kept our security deposit is because he's broke after getting caught being involved in a Comcast scam. Stay far, far away…”

2.5 Peter Crawford

“The apartment we moved into was covered in dust, dirt, and trash from the previous students who lived there. Peter Crawford told us to clean it up ourselves. We had a huge mold problem in the bathroom, and it was fixed a few months into the lease. There was a large rusty nail sticking out of one of the steps, and a friend of mine cut her foot really badly on it. The nail was never fixed or removed. We just put tape over it to avoid it. There were things like a light fixture missing when we first moved in, which contributed to us never getting our security deposit back. When we asked for a list of the reasons of why we did not get our deposit back, he sent us a list of things that were already problems when we first moved in. We showed him pictures of these problems with dates on them, and he completely avoided us after that. DO NOT RENT FROM PETER CRAWFORD.”

2.6 Sunil Darji

“He is a Temple Alum that is only out for money from prospective students. Note that he makes very inappropriate comments to females behind their backs. He referred to our roommates as the "ugly" one and "pretty" one. Note that he is a face for many bad Landlords while he is just a Realtor your most likely getting a less than suitable place from him. For my case, the place he put me in was in fact illegal as many of the essential emergency exits are locked and 2 bedrooms did not have windows. Also repeatedly he took down my information wrong such as the wrong number and the wrong email (Even after I emailed him) and directed me and my roommate to send money to the wrong place.(Even wrote it wrong on the lease he even gave us). We almost got evicted due to this. At the end of the day I feel like I won't be getting my security deposit back just for being in a place this poor. TU Students and even natives to North Philadelphia beware, play it safe and avoid this guy altogether.”

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