This is what our neighbors at the Onyx are saying

Doesn't anyone around here know how to run an apartment building?

http://www.apartmentreviews.net/ratings/dc/washington/onyx-on-first.htm

You don't say! II

I'd really like to know what your experience at the Jefferson or the Axiom apartments has been for you so far. Some of the negative comments that I normally receive abated for a short while then, for whatever reason, they have picked up again. I am once again hearing about the rental office's neglect and their ill manners, and of course the noise in the building is of major concern. On the other hand people seem to be pleased with maintenance and most of the concierge staff.

Noise is by far the number one complaint that I get from the readers of this blog and from those neighbors whom I have spoken to. Some of those neighbors are ex-neighbors now because they have chosen to bail out of the Jeff and Axe rather than put up with what they perceive as sub-standard living. One such example that I have cited is that I notice people leave their doors as if their leaving a saloon in the wild west. Slam! Then they chat loudly down the hall if they happen to be with someone. That's fine during the day, but after 10pm ... or even midnight, you might want to be a little more considerate of your neighbors. We all have different schedules and different preferences as to what we consider "late."

Another common complaint is the amount of dog waste around the front of the building. Since the snow melted there have been a number of droppings that have "revealed" themselves. Dog owners--just because there is snow on the ground it doesn't mean you shouldn't clean up after your pet. There seems to be an ongoing battle between dog owners and those that have to put up with their irresponsible owners. And dog owners, don't even try to put it upon "people who hate dogs." That doesn't seem to be the case. It's the owner that is the focus of the anger not the dog. That said, there are some very responsible dog owners in the buildings who regularly clean up after their pet. You all know who you are.

On the plus side I know most of you have noticed that we now have a new sidewalk on the way to the metro. It's a big improvement and it makes it seem like there will be an actual neighborhood here one day. In the spring there will be a brand new patch of green grass along side of it... only history tells us it will just as soon be brown.

Remember folks the quality of life here at Navy Yards depends on all of us to do our best and to consider one another. Please do your part.

I guess it was bound to happen.

It seems to be the trend at the Jefferson and the odds are against you.
The vacant apartment unit next door is no longer vacant. New tenants moved in a week or so ago and my evenings have been noisy ever since. The woman in this unit can be heard from down the hall. She speaks on the phone very loudly! Like the classic Spinal Tap line "This one goes to eleven."

I'm not sure what she was watching last night on their home theater but I'm pretty sure it was a heart-warming saga about a truckload of bricks being delivered. My evening from about 8:00PM to midnight was punctuated every three minutes or so by a thundering thud somewhat akin to a Steinway being dropped from the roof.

In all fairness I'm sure they have no idea how their electronics sound in my apartment because the walls here betray even the slightest sounds, however the way this building is marketed it seems that no one over 28 is considered for a unit which encourages clueless and inconsiderate behavior.

I really would like to stay at the Jeff, but it has so many annoying features. The first and foremost annoyance are the knuckleheads that the leasing office rents to. They should screen prospective tenants for the slightest sign of intellect. A minimum IQ equivalent to a bag of pork rinds would be good.

Here are some suggestions on how to deal with noisy neighbors from ehow.com. Think I'm going to try this soon!

Step1: Be direct. If the neighbors are too loud, just knock on their door and politely tell them that the noise is bothering you and why. Most people will understand and curb the noise. It helps if you've already built a rapport with the neighbors, but if not, now's the time to be friendly but firm. Next time you see them in the neighborhood, smile and say hi.

Step 2: Keep a log. If the noise continues or worsens despite the direct approach, keep written documentation detailing the time and date of each occurrence and how you handled it.

Step 3: Write a note to your neighbors and leave it on the door asking them one last time to keep the noise down and informing them that you'll be contacting the landlord and possibly the police if it continues. This way they won't feel like you're going behind their back or telling on them.

Step 4: Report them to your apartment manager and make a verbal complaint. If nothing changes, mail a formal written complaint. Be sure to continue keeping detailed documentation and copies of all letters. Also, record video of the incidents if you can.

Step 5: Call the police if the loud neighbors keep up the disruptive behavior. File a report. Keep filing them if you have to. They may be fined for disruptive noise.

Step 6: Pull out the big guns. If not even the police can deter your noisy neighbors, take them to court. The detailed documentation you've been keeping all this time will help prove your case.

Step 7: Move if you have to. Check your lease for "quiet enjoyment" clauses and check tenant rights associations to find out if you can get out of your lease. Get to a place with some peace and quiet, and be sure to talk to your new landlord to find out up front how strictly they handle noise complaints so that you don't end up in the same situation again.

Critters

Has anybody seen any critters in the building?
I saw a roach crawling down the hallway the other day. Take care when you bring things into the building. You may be bringing something unintended.

The poll results are in!

Here are the results of our massive poll concerning tenants annoyances

Having to take recycling to the loading dock 1 (7%)

Listening to your neighbors music/TV 8 (61%)

Stinky cooking in the hallway 0 (0%)

dodging dog poop on the way to the Metro 4 (30%)

OK Folks. Turn down your stereos and TV's. Your neighbors are cringing.

Sheesh!

Don't be so anti social. Smile and say hi to your neighbors when you see them in the hall or on the elevator!
And no, you are not invisible if you are wearing headphones.

Happy Holidays to Melina

This morning I was greated by a little note slipped under my door by one of our fellow tenants in the building. It was a note suggesting a holiday gift to the woman who does the housekeeping work here, Melina and her young daughter. I think that it would be a wonderful idea to show our appreciation for her hard work. As far as I can tell she's a cleaning crew of one for the entire twelve floors and she does so with a lovely and cheerful smile. I can not think of anyone in the building who earns our gratitude more.

The person who wrote the letter noted that they didn't trust leaving the front desk to collect the cash and they are probably correct to assume so. Now the spirit of the letter was a good one and I am sure they are good and honest people, but frankly, couldn't the same be said of the folks writing the letter. He suggested slipping the donation under his door. Ummmmmm ok.

I have a better idea. Why not present Melina with your gift of cash or gift card directly? Imagine how appreciated she would feel to see a great outpouring of affection from the tenants in the building. Let her know that we appreciate her. She really does do a great job.
A card or envelope with cash or a gift card to Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Best Buy, Safeway, or wherever, would come in handy and be much appreciated at this time of year. I for one want her to know that she is being thought of by the people she cleans up after every day. I'm sure her little daughter will appreciate it as well. I urge you to open your heart for a job well done.
That also goes for the rest of the staff too. The helpful lady at the desk during the afternoons, and Tyrone in the evening do a wonderful job. If you have a favorite leasing agent drop a holiday card by and say thanks.

Giving that gift ahead of the holiday may make the difference between a happy Christmas morning and a happier one!
Thanks goes out to the thoughtful folks who suggested this idea. Also thank them for a very informative dining guide too!
Happy holidays to you all!