735 Balboa St

The apt building location is quite ok. Good access to amenities and services. However, the value vs. drawbacks calculation soon becomes heavily weighed in the drawbacks side of the table. Some of these include the following. 1. Landlord does not and will not provide parking nor storage areas within the apt building. The previous landlord, his father, allowed tenants access to parking along with providing storage space within the building. 2. Practically everyone who lives or lived there complains of an atmosphere lacking in warmth and harmony. As the landlord prefers to engage in a game of nitpicking the smallest of issues , trivial for the most part or attempting to pit one tenant against another. 3. As another reviewer pointed out, virtually all units are now taken by family members. As such there does seem to be a us vs them attitude within the building. A palpable tension exists which is quite unnecessary and not cool. 4. The landlord observes and surveils every movement and interaction within the building. Everything I mean everything is under his scrutiny. Now that he is retired , even more so than ever before. 5. Basic and essential services such as lighting in the lobby and stairways are turned on/off at his discretion. 6. Kindness is weakness in the eyes of the landlord. Unless a tenant can stand their ground and even threaten legal action over some issue, then the landlord will walk oll over the tenant. In turn, if the tenant is not willing to call out landlord for a transgression of any sort, then the landlord will take full advantage and play endless games. 7. If you do plan to move in , move in at your own peril. As others have had negative experiences across the board. Always leaving under a cloud and threats of legal action a common theme. 8. Amazingly, the surrounding apt building owners are the complete opposite to this landlord. As they are receptive, civil, respectful and make every effort to be cordial and polite, While this landlord tries to ensure the tenants do not communicate or interact with the surrounding landlords. Very caste based and hierarchical mindset We left in 2014 after the decision was made to leave with all of the above points taken into consideration before our departure. All in all , it was regretful to move in in the first place , as we look back on our time there.

We lived in this apt bldg for several years and moved out in 2012. Although the apt is in a nice location , there are many many drawbacks to living there. For one thing, the landlord lives in the bldg and rules with an iron fist. Everything , we mean everything is under his scrutiny. As such , there exists a game of what can be slyly taken away from tenants or in many cases the landlord oversteps the mark and takes liberties where he feels fit. What can be gotten away with and who is most unlikely to push back is his general motivation. Almost comical or tragi comical in how the fixation is with ensuring tenants are not getting anything more than just the sheer basics. At times tenants have moved out as a result of the landlord refusing to fix basic requirements such as a wiring, plumbing or replacement of broken or in poor condition fixtures and fittings. We ultimately left due to a good relationship with the landlord turning really sour over his refusal to allow one bike to be stored outside the backdoor. What is most alarming is how the neighboring landlords are so chilled and have wonderful relationships with their tenants. That was not the case with the landlord at 735 balboa st. It is a tense environment. He lives with both his wife and kids and their parents too in the small apt. Our advice is to look elsewhere. From what we have seen, it is not worth the headache and stress living in such a place.