2501 Porter

I am writing this review to help others make an informed decision when leasing with this building. When I first moved in I often...

I am writing this review to help others make an informed decision when leasing with this building. When I first moved in I often talked of how I did not plan on moving for at least a few years and even recommended the place to several friends. Unfortunately due to a high rent increase and a lack of reasonable negotiation, I have chosen to leave after just one year. Although I would have loved to give 2501 Porter five stars, the way that I was treated during my lease renewal makes me unable to do so. I have enjoyed living in this building. Yes there have been many challenges, I lived with mice for three months, have lost power for 12 hours or more at least twice, have evacuated the building due to a fire on Christmas Eve, and we moved in just after an intruder entered the building and died in 2020, but still I truly enjoyed the location and convenience of my apartment. It has been a blessing to have an office in the pandemic, and nice to have access to the outdoor space. However during our lease renewal I was caught off guard by the 22.5% increase, and when expressing these concerns was told that the best they could do was a 21% increase and that current residents of an apartment were usually given an offer $100-$50 lower than what those off the street would be given. When putting in my notice to vacate, I was told that they may be able to go down to somewhere in the $3,000s, but that was doubtful. The very same day i gave my notice my apartment was listed online for $3,050, better than any written offer I was given and much closer to my desired increase to $2,800. This is after asking for several other options and potential scenarios that could be of mutual benefit to both parties. Still, all my proposals were met with only a 1% drop to the below market rate that the building offered me, despite listing it on the website for ~$100 less than this below market rate During this process, I was taken aback by the behavior of the building manager. This was not due to mistreatment towards me but to another resident. In the final meeting to discuss our rent renewal, Jake Friedman named a building resident specifically and told me to not listen to their advice and detailed personal and specific problems that the building has had with this individual. I found this appalling as there are many other ways to handle such a matter without getting into specifics or details with one resident about another. If you are thinking of leasing with this building, I would think twice. The building is not rent controlled. There are high costs associated with moving out, as Equity charges for things like cleaning etc. where many other apartments incur these as a part of the cost of renting an apartment. Carpet cleaning can be done via the building or by a professional service with a receipt, but the Equity price is ~$100 for a two bedroom and is much cheaper than any comparable rate outside of Equity, which makes it feel like an easy way for the apartment to recoup the security deposit and costs it incurs when residents move out. Additionally, we were told lease renewals would actually be handled by a call center in the future. If you do choose to live here, I would advise you to push the building to fix any issues you may find as it often took me 2-3 requests to get anything fixed, and often left me resorting to sorting many issues out myself. Although 2501 porter was a great place to live, my process of lease renewal has truly soured my opinion of the building manager and my experience living here.

It has been fantastic and reassuring. Jake and Sheila have been truly phenomenal and very professional during the entire process that took weeks to...

It has been fantastic and reassuring. Jake and Sheila have been truly phenomenal and very professional during the entire process that took weeks to find the very first available apartment. Thank you both Guillermo Abaracon

We moved into an apartment a few month ago and really like it here. It is close to the metro, close to the zoo...

We moved into an apartment a few month ago and really like it here. It is close to the metro, close to the zoo and there are good places to eat close by. The whole renting process went smoothly - Sheila Nunez was very helpful, friendly and professional. It is a good place to live at, nice little gym, close to RC Park.