In February 2007, DARO management notified residents of 1600 of a $62 increase in rent. Many residents have voiced dissatisfaction with this proposed increase. In each of the past 3 years, DARO has increased the rent at 1600. Each time, the management has offered that rent here is still below market value. This is not true. There are other, comparable buildings nearby that rent for less (e.g. the Bay State on Massachusetts and 17th and another similar building at 17th and S, both renting below 1100).
Residents of 1600 have overlooked many of the deficiencies in our apartments because of the comparatively lower rent offered here. DARO, however, has lost that competitive advantage. Residents now have a choice of moving to buildings that cost less and are located closer to the metro. Lead paint, rusty window frames, unreliable hot water, bursting pipes and a heating system that has had many untoward effects including emitting black soot and foul odors have all been part of the 'charm' of living at 1600. Now that the management has decided to increase the rent, this resident believes it is time for all residents of 1600 to see some significant improvements in the quality of life at 1600.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Laundry Room
The laundry room at 1600 has been a concern for many residents. Pipes overhead frequently drip onto the floor and the machines. This is particularly disturbing when we are trying to clean our clothes there.
Residents, please post your comments and concerns about the laundry room.
Residents, please post your comments and concerns about the laundry room.
Elevators
The elevators at 1600 have been frequently taken out of service for maintenance. In 2006, one elevator was out of service for more than a month. Building management assured us that the problem would be solved quickly and that they were simply waiting for a new part to arrive. One elevator continues to get stuck on the 6th and 7th floors.
Residents, please leave your comments and concerns about the elevators at 1600.
Residents, please leave your comments and concerns about the elevators at 1600.
Hot Water
Another major concern for residents of 1600 has been the hot water system. The system has been plagued with problems needing repairs for the past few years. This past winter, however, has been particularly difficult for residents of 1600. The hot water has been turned off multiple times each week since January 2007. The shut-offs have often occurred without warning and not during regular business hours. As a result, we have lacked hot water on many evenings and early mornings.
The water system has had other significant effects on our lives at 1600. Many residents have had problems with leaking pipes in their walls causing damage to the plaster, which has, in turn, damaged their personal belongings. Most recently, a pipe burst between the 6th and 7th floors. An apartment on the 6th floor suffered tremendous damage both to its ceiling and to the resident's personal belongings. A week later, DARO sent a team to investigate the problem. The team cut through a wall between two apartments on the 7th floor and flushed out a pipe that had burst there. Water spilled into the residents' apartments causing damage to their personal belongings. Hot water was shut off this day for repairs and was not restored as of 1030pm when this resident was forced to leave the building for the evening.
Residents, please leave your comments and concerns regarding the hot water system.
The water system has had other significant effects on our lives at 1600. Many residents have had problems with leaking pipes in their walls causing damage to the plaster, which has, in turn, damaged their personal belongings. Most recently, a pipe burst between the 6th and 7th floors. An apartment on the 6th floor suffered tremendous damage both to its ceiling and to the resident's personal belongings. A week later, DARO sent a team to investigate the problem. The team cut through a wall between two apartments on the 7th floor and flushed out a pipe that had burst there. Water spilled into the residents' apartments causing damage to their personal belongings. Hot water was shut off this day for repairs and was not restored as of 1030pm when this resident was forced to leave the building for the evening.
Residents, please leave your comments and concerns regarding the hot water system.
Heating System
A common and persistent concern among residents at 1600 has been the heating system in the building. For years, the system has been working intermittently. When it is in service, the force of the air through the vents is very strong, creating a loud noise and sometimes spitting black soot and foul odors into our apartments. Many residents have needed to cover their vents and open their windows in the middle of winter to avoid adverse effects of the hot, unclean air.
In 2004, building management recognized the heating system in a letter notice of an increase in rent. DARO management cited 9/11 and the precipitating effects on the oil industry as a the root cause for the increase in rent. It is clear, however, that DARO's business decision to not replace the heating system with a newer, more efficient model was purely economic. DARO's decision to tug on our heart strings with overtures of terrorism and death was offensive to this resident.
Other residents, please leave your comments and concerns regarding the heating system here.
In 2004, building management recognized the heating system in a letter notice of an increase in rent. DARO management cited 9/11 and the precipitating effects on the oil industry as a the root cause for the increase in rent. It is clear, however, that DARO's business decision to not replace the heating system with a newer, more efficient model was purely economic. DARO's decision to tug on our heart strings with overtures of terrorism and death was offensive to this resident.
Other residents, please leave your comments and concerns regarding the heating system here.
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