Review: Ben Art Realty Corp

[Pam]

When we were searching for an apartment 2 years ago, we saw many that were so disappointing. When we got to the BayShore Manor, we frankly weren't expecting much different. How pleasantly surprised we were to find something nice for the same money others were asking. The buildings and property are generally well cared for. Even before moving in, we had a couple maintenance requests - Done! No questions asked. And since then, our very few maintenance requests have been handled promptly. Office staff has been great. Rent is competitive with other apartments, but what you get here makes it a good deal. I Love the complex. Some new tenants have visited all of the local apartment complexes; and they chose the BayShore Manor. Again, the rent is very cheap, mainly because the company is reasonable. It's cleanliness; good landscaping; nicely carpeted & painted hallways; good parking facility, efficient heat during the winter, solid windows and roof which was installed in the entire complex before we moved in, laundry rooms inside the building, garages available for rent at reasonable prices.You can walk to the Long Island Railroad on Third Avenue, all major shopping, highways and conveniences. All in all, we're happy to be here. One drawback which is minor: When you move into your apartment, make sure the moving truck is parked on the street as opposed to the grounds. Load your furniture and items from the side streets into the building and make sure you don't knock down the expensive light fixtures which are slightly low because of the cover. Other than that, we are quite pleased and have just renewed our lease for another year. Rental price includes hot water, heat, but no other utilities. PS: The supers are very diligent and care about his complex and keep us happy.

[Manuel]

The Bay Shore Manor property is quiet and comfortable. My buddy emailed me the link thru Craigslist.org . I downloaded their application and the turn around was 1-2 days to receive an approval. When I applied for the apartment the company was surprisingly stricter about their application process. I didn't mine at all. It gave me the impression that they wanted a strong, responsible, hard working applicant with good credit. The last complex I resided in was also in Bay Shore. I won't mention the name or management but let's just say the company is gigantic. Well, the maintenance at my previous complex and attention given to residents was a horror show and many of the tenants moved out due to a # of reasons such as maintenance, high rents, affordability, environment, and so on. At Bay Shore Manor, this doesn't exist. Charlie is a respected, arduous working and a knowledgeable superintendent. The new assistant super is very strong too. The porter is always vacuuming and cleaning when I arrived home. They both give you quality maintenance and no slop or bandaid jobs. In fact they are overly neat and anal. My Manor apartment had shiny wood floors which glowed. That was pretty impressive when I first viewed the apartment plus the closet space was very adequate. The building is extremely well lighted at night. The laundry rooms are conveniently located in the basement. I suggest they get a card instead of the old fashioned coin operated machines. Giving up my indoor garage a few months ago was the biggest mistake I had made. I had been on the waiting list for about a month and it was sold out at the time. Parking on the street and in the tenant parking lot isn't an issue but I wanted to have the extra comfort again in storing and parking my car in the garage. The company should contemplate about building more garages. There is a little piece of vacant land which is nothing more than empty grounds near one of the buildings. I finally rented a garage. Advice: the garage is very cheap. If you have more than one car, I suggest it. Definitely worth the price. I only had one time I experienced a heating issue and it was corrected within 30 minutes. They replaced a valve in the radiator. No idea. But it worked instantaneously. We only had only one noise problem with our neighbor with his loud television, but we just asked him to tone it down and we have never had a problem with it since. We think the walls are pretty good. I was very happy here. Overall, the rooms are big, I have yet to see a bug problem, the price is okay for what you get and the kitchens, appliances, bathrooms are high grade above the norm. I suggest living here. Email me, hope this is a helpful review. [e-mail]

[Kelly M]

I rented two different apartments in Bay Shore thru BenArt. The first location was on Garfield in the middle of the complex and then I moved two years later to a bigger apartment closer to where the office faces. My first lease ended and then I upgraded to a two bedroom. I had to come up with new security for the transfer but my original was returned promptly upon a passing move out inspection with the super. I now live in the yard near leasing office. I love living here. In regard to the cleanliness of the apartments, I was quite impressed when I first moved in. It was spotless. Even the kitchen floor behind the stove and refrigerator. The appliances are of very good quality. Mine were either General Electric or Whirlpool. The quality of the paint job in my unit was surprisingly outstanding. The walls were sanded very evenly, plastered nicely, and the two tone trim gave a very warm and cozy feeling. The hallways were just freshly painted. They take pride in their apartments. I haven't had any bad experience here regarding the noise. It is sometimes too quiet. The lawns are mowed weekly, grounds are well kept, and plowed, salted during the winter. They make the outside very attractive and homelike. During the spring and summer the views of the grounds and trees are outstanding. There's not one day that goes by that I don't see a maintenance or groundskeeper person working, all season long. The new super Charlie who used to be the assistant superintendant is top notch and very dedicated. The previous super Tony was also dedicated but not nearly as neat and organized. Charlie is very courteous, reliable, and diligent. My bathroom sink was replaced with a new vanity within one to two hours. The maintenance staff is always very prompt in getting any of my requests done. The office staff is nice and affable .Whenever I have contacted the office, I have received a prompt, courteous and helpful response.Management pays your heat and water. I love heat but I dislike an overheated apartment. I never wake up sweating but also never wake up cold. It's just right. At Bay Shore Manor the parking is very easy and suitable. The first come first serve parking spots reserved only for tenants is excellent. There is always a spot available and the indoor garages on the premises are very low priced. You get a lot of value living here and the rents are extremely do-able. The rent is relatively affordable compared to other apartment complexes. I think they are below market and when it is time to renew the lease, they don't take advantage at all. They except cats but very strict with a no dog policy. The application process is thorough. The turnaround is one to days but I had an answer within the same day. My credit score is around a 740 but I heard management doesn't approve your application by a score. Many people in the complex take advantage of the Long Island Railroad and how close it is to the property. I drive to work but the railroad comes into much use when I travel to Manhattan. Well off I go. Let me know if this was useful information. [e-mail]

[Michael]

Before I moved here, I looked at two other neighboring complexes in Bay Shore. New Brook and Mid Island. One of the best decisions I made was selecting Bay Shore Manor. Parking is an absolute breeze. They have plentiful space, parking, garages and even street parking. The parking lot lighting is sufficient and bright. I work at South Side and come home at very late hours. The other review by my neighbor in the building next to mine is insane. Another tenant told me her boyfriend lost his job and they wanted to break there lease. Now I understand why her review is so negative and distasteful. Her comments are nasty, indecent and aren't credible. If she doesn't want to live in the complex, I don't know why she keeps renewing her lease. She has lived here at least two years, maybe three. I see her all the time and she seems fine. All the other tenants that I know are very pleased and appreciate where they live. We are currently having our hallways painted. They recently painted them a few years ago. The hallways do take a lot of wear and tear but overall they were in pretty good shape. Now they are just perfect. Since Charlie became head super, the complex and maintenance has been even stronger. The staff at the main office located in Queens are very helpful. My tub was chipping and peeling and I demanded a new tub. Little that I knew, they sent a tub re-glazing company to refinish the tub and it looked amazing. It was under warranty and I didn't have to pay or wasn't held accountable for any damage. Mona was very nice to me over the phone and set up the appointment with the glazer as soon as I called. I pay my rent always before the fifth of the month but I was on vacation for Presidents day and totally forgot. When I returned home, my rent bill included a late charge. I was really upset because I know I pay my bills on time. Laurie in the accounts payable department explained to me that if I drop off the rent at the onsite office in a money order or certified bank check, she would take off the late charge since she didn't see one late charge on my past accounts. We have a monthly exterminator but I don't even sign up or make myself available. I have never seen one bug since I moved in. They recently installed Verizon Fios cable. It's amazing. Cablevision was good but Fios is so much better. The clarity of the picture and the internet is ten times faster. The only downside is the six hour installation but after it's over, you definitely worth it. If you need the train, it is literally down the block. Summers are terrific. Taking the ferry to Fire Island is fun and conveniently accessible. My renewal leases are sent out promptly. The rent is cheap. I have a large two bedroom and I know there is lot of demand for the particular floor plan that I have. The heat is very consistent. You pay your own electric, gas, and cable. The heat and hot water is included. I never had any issues with hot water. The laundry machines are fairly new. The problem that I have is that they aren't card operated but instead coin operated. There is onsite office on the premises for any maintenance. There is a head super, assistant super, and porter. Very diligent staff, always cleaning and working.

[Seth]

After reading all the reviews I agree that BenArt Realty Company is on the ball and cares about their tenants. When I moved out in 2008 after living in the complex for four years, the security was returned to me promptly in full. I had a prior negative experience with an Avalon property where I was charged inaccurately and cheated out of most of my security deposit. Another plus to the BenArt Realty is the no additional monthly charge for a cat. The Bay Shore property is no luxury high end building with dishwashers, microwaves, or laundry in units but my apartment was a modern renovated unit offering a lot of space and an affordable rent. My apartment had beautiful country oak cabinets with a high end countertop and new appliances. The parking garages are also priced very fair and there is no additonal charge for parking within the complex which is stricktly for tenants. By the way, the tenant who posted numerous reviews lived in the same building as I did. The old super who moved to Pennsylvania where I also moved to, informed that she wanted to break her lease and she made up a false story in order to move without being charged. The majority of the tenants were very nice except for an occasional one here and there. When I applied for the apartment, I had to supply my drivers license, social security card, w-2, 1040, and paystubs. I had excellent credit so it wasn't an issue but I heard from my old neighbor that if your credit is bad, they will charge additional security. All and all, if my job didn't transter me here, I would still be living at the Bay Shore property. P.S. the renewal increases are very cheap and try to get a second floor unit because of the garden views.

[Lisa H]

I moved here from Islip and it was the best thing I ever did. Living in this community was a very pleasant experience. This apartment complex is very affordable and a rare find in this area since heat and hot water is included. The office and maintenance staff were always very professional and friendly. The property manager is hands on and visits the property weekly. Charles is efficient and knowledgeable. The assistant was very helpful and nice to talk to. The grounds are always kept clean and well manicured. I always felt safe walking the grounds after sunset. I was also impressed with how this complex handled snow/ice removal from the walk ways and the parking lot. Before the snow falls they are out there preparing for removal and laying salt down. At my old apartment complex that was twice as expensive, they didn't do anything for their tenants. Rent is below market making it a great value. And although parking was not always right in front of your entry door it sure beats having to find a parking spot on the street and having to move it the next morning. Besides, a little walking never hurts. The only reason I am not residing at Bay Shore Manor any more is that my life took me in another direction. But if I did have to come back to the the Suffolk area you could be rest assured that I will be filling out a lease form at Bay Shore Manor. I don' t know what some of these people are talking about with the negative comments. I would recommend this complex to anyone who desires economical rent, safety, location and excellent service.
Thank you kindly.

[Branding Scott]

Bay Shore Manor apartments is a very nice place to live. I resided in building 24. I lived here for 4 years and it was great. It is quiet and well kept. They have nice and affordable apartments. The management company was always courteous and they always tried very hard to accommodate me. All my calls were returned and the office always handled my questions in a very professional manner. If you are good with your payments they will work with you if you need a bit more time around the holidays. All of the onsite staff, especially Charlie was very nice and inviting. Maintenance problems were fixed promptly (though you rarely need to call them). Again, any issues I had, were taken care of in the same day, if not at the very moment I reported the problem. I had repairs done twice at my apartment and they were professionally taken care of with respect for my home and my belongings. They always sent out 2 days notice before entering apartments or they put a maintenance tag on the door. You could see the super outside working on something every day. They have great landscaping with all of the trees and grass, and they cut and mow the lawn daily. It's very well groomed and shows well whenever I had company over. I have been to most of the apartment complexes and this one has to be the best to date. The 4.5 & 5.0 2br floorplans are by far the best space and layouts. I'd probably say it get's a 9 or so out of 10 rating. The location is close to everything I needed. The apartments are very close to the railroad leaving a convenient 1-2 minute walk. Don't forget the Ferry to Fire Island which is so close. Those were some awesome weekends. This place isn't the newest in town but I chose it because it has character and charm. It's a few blocks from the High school. No porches or balconies. I expected laundry to be in every building but it's only in certain ones: 6, 12, 14, 20, 22, 86, 88. I had to hop over next door. Not a big deal but it would have been nicer to have in the same building. Parking is free and easy. The parking is also reserved for tenants. Can't say enough about how nice this place is. There is no other comparable complex in Bay Shore for the price and value. I was not charged for anything when I moved out, but my apartment was pretty clean and I covered all of my holes from pictures in the wall...No hidden fees. They give you a big long list of things to clean when you move out and then they do what they call a "walk through" with you before you turn in your keys so they can point out what you missed. I totally missed under the fridge and the oven, but it took me 10 minutes to do that stuff and I got my entire deposit back. They even helped me load a few of my larger pieces of furniture on the truck when I was moving out. My apartment had new appliances as well as cabinets. Definitely a place to consider seriously when looking for a home. Branding Scott

[Serge]

I leased two different apartments with Ben-Art. My first lease ended and then I upgraded from a one to a two bedroom unit on the second floor overlooking the yard and parking garages. I had to come up with new security for the transfer which was annoying but my original security was returned with my rent bill. My apartment is very close to the maintenance office. The superintendant is very promp in completing any requests and maintenance slips that I have for the month. Management sends you a maitenance form with each rent bill. Initially I thought this was a bit much but they give you a lot of attention. They only management a few locations so the main management office doesn't ignore you. When I lived at Homeproperties, if you had a problem, you were better off hiring your own handyman. The BenArt staff is very nice and affable. I had one disagreement with them because I had to professionally have my air conditioner installed but when I checked with my attorney, he said it's a liability issue and I should do it. It cost roughly $50 bucks. There isn't one day that goes by that I don't see a maintenance or groundskeeper person working, all season long. The new super Charlie who used to be the assistant super who is top notch and very dedicated. The previous super Tony was also dedicated but he wasn't neat or organized. Charlie is very courteous, reliable, and diligent. My bathroom sink was replaced with a new vanity within one to two hours because the old one was a wall hung sink which was falling off the wall. The hallways are magnificent with daily cleaning by the porter. The lawn is mowed weekly, grounds are well kept, and plowed, salted during the winter. Management pays your heat and hot water. I love heat but dislike an overheated apartment. I never wake up sweating but also never wake up cold. It's just right. I haven't had a bad experience here with any noise so far. It is sometimes too quiet. Overall the Manor apartments are a solid choice.

[John]

I rented the Villa Court Gardens @BEN ART REALITY for one year because of the lease. It was horrible!!! Roaches were everywhere and not only in your room. Roeaches crawls along the heating system to every house there. When you just look around, it seems fine but when you live in, all roaches come to visit you. You can see them running and playing every spots inluding your bed, your kitchen, your closet, and your file case. Enjoy with them if you can not stay away. Also realty company itself is a disaster! Beware.It is wise to stay well away from BEN ART REALITY! You can not get back your security and you will soon find you need to pay everything even if any damage is not out of you.The simple reason seems sth is not just good and you lived there.

[Jen]

I used to work at House of Carpets in Valley Stream, so I was happy to find a place to live literally around the corner from my work. The management is friendly, customer service oriented and Evelio was an incredible superintendent. All of my maintenance requests were handled quickly, and the he never left a mess in my apartment after completing any repairs. Parking is a breeze. The municipal lot is cheap and right across the street. The apartments were well taken care of and renovated: very nice cabinets and I will never forget my beautiful pedestal sink. The size of the apartments were out of site. Huge. The rent is reasonable and the people who live there are great! The complex is clean and attractive and from what I've heard there are more things coming in the future. I was forced to move after finding a different job, which transferred me out of state, but I'd definitely advise this place as a great place to live. Overall I give South Grove 5 stars!

[Francis]

Overall, I am a pretty happy resident at Villa Court apartments for many reasons but I cannot afford to live anywhere else. The rent here is very low compared to other complexes nearby. The building is rent stabilized so my yearly increases are low. The complex is small, quiet and on a corner street. I previously lived at Washington when Jose was the superintendant but prefer Villa. The entire management and some maintenance staff has changed since I signed my first lease here several years ago. The first management and maintenance team was wonderful. They were personable and responded almost immediately when you had any issues. Maintenance shows up in the middle of the night if it's an emergency,(usually about 5-10 minutes after you call). I live next to the superintendent and he is pretty thorough and responsive. The ladies in the main office are very sweet and friendly. They are always very helpful with any questions I've asked. The newest maintenance staff are even better. We have a new manager now, he is awesome! He has really cleaned this place up. This is a great place to live now b/c of him! Great job!!!! You can tell they truly care about the people here and do everything they can to make this feel like a home and not just an apartment. We have a monthly exterminator. I rarely have any pest issues in the long duration I have lived here. These apartments are two story and there is no incinerator or elevator. I find this to have a clean and positive effect on the building. They added more parking lot lights and the majority of our neighbors that live next to the building reside in homes. I believe this is also very positive because they care about the surroundings and grounds. The street was finally re-paved by the village of Hempstead. Prior to them re-paving, the street condition was a disaster. I have always felt very safe and have never had problems with any neighbors. Fairly large hispanic presence. I have not had a problem, cars are fairly safe in parking lot which can get full easy but is close by and easy to watch from your window. You receive one assigned spot which is no charge and labeled by your apartment letter. In my opinion, for the money, you cannot find a better apartment community in Hempstead.

[ALEX]

BAY SHORE MANOR APARTMENTS REVIEW
It was very difficult after relocating from Bay Shore to Florida. Manor was a excellent apartment complex. I knew a lot of the neighbors and I was very fond of the staff. One day I was informed that the management was installing new windows, new roofs, new entrance doors, new intercoms, new hallways and more. Many of the residents including myself were surprised at the news. Of course we thought it was great and appreciated everything after it was all completed. The parking was also always a breeze and the indoor garages are very inexpensive. A few residents complained about the lighting on the grounds but management added additional lights. At night it looks like a baseball field. Manor is very good community. Great place to reside.

[Dave and Maria-Bell Blvd]

"The customer services rendered by Diana @Ben-Art Realty Management has been impeccable. She has always given us prompt and reliable service with an upbeat, caring approach. There’s never been a need to keep after her or management to complete their tasks. When an emergency arose, Ben-Art and Diana responded courteously and in a timely manner. Her concern for our maintenance request was altruistic. We cannot emphasize enough how reassuring and comforting it is to know that Ms. Diana will be on the other side of the telephone. She has greatly added to our peace of mind and reassurance that a great employee and great management firm is watching over us!"

[Dave and Maria-Bell Blvd]

Why does it say Great Neck?

[Miracle Worker]

Welcome to the club, there will always be realtors with whom we will be dissatisfied. Best advice is go to the brokers whom you know or are given a good recommendation by neighbors or friends. I'm glad to see some supporters for the subject of this thread. It's the same as buying a car from one dealer or another!