NEXT Apartments — Local services in Chicago

The property manager Dominique Montoya is USELESS.

Before I explain my current issue to prove just how WORTHLESS Dominique is, I will clarify a few things.

First, the current front concierge is great. Sandy, Kawan, and Tammy are friendly and helpful.

Second, the current maintenance staff is great. Zahir, Bill, Shefik, and Adolfo are proactive and effective in maintaining the building.

Third, I've lived here since August 2017 and have had multiple issues with 3 different residents. They didn't take responsibility to manage their dogs barking uncontrollably at random times throughout the day. The issues persisted for weeks if not months with multiple complaints to management until something was done.

Most important is my current issue that's existed since mid-December 2018. I started hearing random knocking noises in my ceiling at random times during the day. I went upstairs and checked on the tenant to make sure things were okay. She stated the noises were coming from the ball her dog was playing with hitting the ground and she would take care of the issue.

Unfortunately, I still continued to hear the noise and after several unsuccessful noise complaints that were filed, I decided to speak to Dominique in person on January 24. She said she would look into and contact me. I heard no reply and reached out via email on January 29 and got a reply a day after. She said she would check on it and get back to me.

38 days passed until I reached out again via email and I received the excuse that she's been short-staffed and busy. Really? So busy that 38 days pass by and I have to pretty much chase you around? I spoke with her in person on March 12 and explained that I have spoken to the tenant twice more in person and the tenant was confused and can't imagine what she or her dog are doing to make the noise. I had recorded 7 different incidents in which the noise occurs from January-March. The noise however, occurs at random times practically every single day.

Dominique told me noises are a part of apartment living and there's nothing that can be done. We discussed the attached noise policies for tenants and pets which are signed in the lease. Good luck enforcing anything. These are just put in as formalities and are a joke in terms of enforcement.

I followed up on March 15 because once again, Dominique does not proactively communicate. She said she set up time to speak with the tenant and will reach out. On March 26, I got an email that the conversation happened and set up a call to get an update on March 28. She showed some level of compassion but let's be clear, it was just some politically correct garbage to make sure she pretended to care. She said there's nothing that can be done but to reach out to her if the issue gets worse.

Even having a white noise maker and earplugs in, around 11:40pm on April 5, my girlfriend and I were woken up by more noises like a ball was bouncing around above us. I quickly recorded it and sent an email to Dominique. I also reached out to my neighbor on the floor below me and asked if I could make noise and have her describe it to me. I went back to my room and dropped a small screwdriver on the floor a few times and then tapped the floor with it for a few seconds. She then said it sounded like a ball was bouncing up and down. Proof that the tenant above me is the source.

Dominique doesn't follow up, so I sent another email on April 9 and get a short response saying that noises are a part of apartment living and nothing will be done.

A tenant which is neglectful in managing themself or their pet is NOT a part of apartment living. The tenant clearly does not care about the effect on others and gets away with violating the noise policies of the building.

Dominique is INCOMPETENT and likes to support the people that violate the rights of others. I have a right to peace and quiet within reason. A tenant that produces frequent tapping noises that wake me up and cause me to feel uncomfortable in my own room is unacceptable.

I cannot wait...

Noise: You surprisingly can't hear the train that much. However, the recently (was not open when I moved in) opened night club across the street is very loud. I stayed awake feeling the bass from across the street. Like any apartment, you can hear your neighbors you share walls with. Great during the weekdays when the sun is out though! Smell: It smells like weed on the balcony, the hallways, the elevator. Therefore, it smells like weed in your apartment. If you're lucky, no one in your building will smoke. Safety: There's a doorman, so it prevents minor theft and great for packages. But if criminals wanted to get in, minor deception can get them right in. Neighborhood: It says River North, but that's pushing it. Maintenance: I've only asked for them to oil the bathroom door and they showed up the next day for that. It gets very humid and squeaky. Maintenance and other operational staff: Friendly and responsive. I mostly kept to myself and did not ask much from them. But it seems like everyone likes them. For how little they probably get paid, they have the greatest attitude. Office staff: Here's where I have the issue with NEXT Apartments. This was my first time in an apartment, so I was naive and did not put anything on my move-in inspection sheet. On my move-in day, I was just shown to the apartment and assumed anything that was not perfect was normal wear and tear. DO NOT ASSUME. WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING. The kitchen door handles leaves dents in other places. The floors are damaged. Appliances in imperfect conditions. Any wall damages. Any door damages. On the safe side, write down every imperfection. If it's not written on the move-in sheet and they decide to replace/repair during the turnover process, they will charge you for it. Even things you did not know could get replaced, will be replaced and charged. When I moved out, I felt that the house was in similar condition to when I moved in 16 months ago. Over a month after moving out, I was invoiced for a washer and refrigerator door replacement for damage. If I had known these minor dents (f you can even see them from the pictures I attached) that were present when I moved in would be faulted on me instead of for normal wear and tear, I would have taken note of them. After emailing back and forth, I was told by the Community Manager, to contact GreyStar Receivables. GreyStar Receivables told me it's not up to them and up to the Community Manager. This took place over two months of back and forth e-mails and calls. In conclusion, whether I pay or not, it does not affect the property. $215 is a very immaterial amount to them. If I don't pay, it'll just go to collections and be recorded on my credit score. If I lawyer up, I'm out more than $215. Either way, I'm just very disappointed in NEXT Apartments. You think you're a good tenant and at the end of the day, they're still going find a way to push their turnover cost to you.

Thanks to the receivables apartment who tried, but to no avail to help me on this. To me, $215 is very little money as well. But why am I putting in so much effort to fight it? It's because I felt it was an unfair charge. There was intent to take advantage of tenants due to the high barrier to recourse we can take. It left a bad taste in my mouth. But the worse feeling was the disappointment I felt due to how badly the situation was handled by property management to make me write this bad review. Looking back, I wished I had just paid the fee when they sent the initial non-descriptive, ambiguous invoice. I can never take back the frustration, anger, and anxiety I felt the entire time dealing and thinking about...

Truly Terrible Management

I have lived in several high rise buildings in downtown Chicago since moving here in 2018 and by far the management at this building has been the worst.

You will always have issues wherever you rent for sure, but the lack of communication and commitment to their residents with Greystar and now Styl was awful. If we ever had a problem with rent, etc., we would email without ever a response (not really sure why they even have email address), we would call only to have it go to voicemail, we would go downstairs and talk to anyone who made themselves available in person only to be told they would get back to us and never would. It was a constant battle.

In particular, Jefferson (mentioned in another review) was truly truly unhelpful and never follow up on any of our requests. His cheery persona was a facade for ignoring you and giving you false assurances that any progress on your issue would be made.

In addition, this building is not suited for anyone who wants to live a relaxing, calmer adult lifestyle. The pool is packed with people drinking, partying, and blasting horrible dubstep EDM music every weekend (at least have some taste). Doubtful most of these people even live there. They do not police how many guests people come in so even if you live there and pay for the amenities (a steep amenity fee is how they make the rent seem lower), it is not uncommon to find a chair or even a spot of concrete to sit on. This building is definitely not appropriate for children even if you have nieces and nephews visiting once or twice to go in pool or play in arcade room. That being said it’s a great building for dogs! They can have any kind of accident in the elevator. It’s all good.

Also, it is in a very weird location. There’s not a lot of accessible restaurants or shops around you have to walk like at least 10 to 15 minutes north to old town or south to river north to get to most things.

Positives of my experience were the front desk staff most of whom have left now. They were absolutely wonderful. Another positive was the service and repairs. They were extremely responsive anytime I had any issue with an appliance in my own apartment and would come almost immediately.

Pick your battles, but I would say with new buildings opening in the same area, it might be worth considering other options given how atrocious the...