Sharing my experience in the hopes of helping others avoid similar issues. Throughout my time as a tenant, I encountered several unprofessional practices. Unethical Broker Practices: In April 2022 (post-COVID market peak), the brokers involved in my lease signing (Matthew Ryan Moreno and Randal Smith from R Brokers) pressured me to pay an additional $2,000 on the broker fee or risk losing the apartment. As licensed real estate agents, this behavior appears unethical. I reported them to the Division of Licensing Services and the issue was eventually resolved. However, BlueStar continues to work with this company. Misrepresentation on StreetEasy: BlueStar and R Brokers advertised the apartment on StreetEasy for $200 more than the actual rent, potentially manipulating the already inflated market. I reported this as well, and the listing was corrected. Disorganized Move-In: The previous tenant was granted extra days in the apartment by Bonita Burrell of BlueStar, but I was not informed. This left me scrambling to find last-minute accommodations and services for myself and my belongings on the expected move-in date. Despite my repeated attempts to hold BlueStar accountable, Bonita and her colleagues never took responsibility or apologized. Joshua even dismissed the issue by claiming the contract dates were "just estimates." Unclear Lease Renewal: Despite a declining rental market post-COVID, BlueStar opted to raise my rent. Conflicting statements from Pikus and Kaufman regarding the new lease amount caused confusion and delays in my payment. Early Termination: In December 2023, due to a job loss and visa situation requiring me to leave the US, I informed BlueStar. Although I had grounds to break the lease due to previous harassment, I opted for an amicable solution. They reluctantly agreed to terminate the lease on February 2nd in exchange for a $450 fee and my cooperation in showing the apartment. Security Deposit Withholding: Despite fulfilling my obligations and leaving the apartment in excellent condition on February 1st, BlueStar has not returned my security deposit of $3,300. On February 27th, my inquiry about the deposit went unanswered. As of today (April 3rd), they informed me they would retain the entire amount due to "costs involved", even though the lease was terminated by mutual agreement. New York law mandates the return of security deposits within 14 days, with any deductions clearly documented. Failing to do so within this timeframe necessitates the full return. Jeffrey Pikus appears to be aware of this law but disregards it. Similarly, Bonita Burrell's negligence regarding my move-in date resulted in additional expenses for me (over $1,000 for a last-minute hotel). Taking Action: To ensure I receive my deposit back and hold Jeffrey Pikus accountable, I have filed complaints with the New York Attorney General's Office and the Division of Licensing Services. Security Deposit Details: There's no justification for withholding a $3,300 deposit, even if a new tenant pays less due to market fluctuations. Here's why: i)The lease termination was agreed upon by BlueStar. Security deposits cannot be used for market-related rent reductions as stipulated in the lease agreement. ii)The new tenant likely moved in shortly after I left, with only four months remaining on the lease. Even if the rent was $300 lower, the total withheld amount would be significantly less than $3,300. iii)BlueStar failed to report any alleged "costs" within the 14-day window as required by law. Their decision to stop showing the apartment for a few days might also explain these additional costs. Additional Information: I have documented evidence to support everything mentioned in this review, including recordings, screenshots, and communication with authorities. If any claims are disputed here, I will be happy to post this proof. Help for Others: If you are experiencing similar issues with BlueStar Properties, feel free to contact me at revistas310@gmail.com. My name is Carolina, I will do my best to assist you. read more

AWFUL DO NOT RENT FROM THEM. We had major bed bugs issue in our apartment and they would not deal with it in a professional manner. In fact, we were blamed for the issue when it didn't even have to do with us. Every time we spotted a bed bug it was reported right away. The people they hired never properly treated the areas and the problems never went away. We basically fought these bugs all year. Bed bugs is one thing but the upkeep of our building was terrible. Our ceiling was caving in. The super (of which we had two) were unresponsive. The place was a mess. It was cheap and spacious but not worth all the drama extra money we had to spend because of all the issues. The MAJOR issue was the disrespect and lack of communication. I am understanding that infestations and accidents happen; but not being able to accommodate for your renters is absolutely ridiculous. PLEASE DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM. IT IS 1000% NOT WORTH IT!!!!! read more

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My girlfriend and I recently moved into an apartment in Morningside Heights and are beyond thrilled. We saw dozens of apartments, and this was definitely the nicest. Bluestar is our first property management company in NYC and they have been great. They have been super accommodating from signing our lease to helping to fix our refrigerator. The super is probably one of the best parts of the building. Friendly, helpful, and super nice. He really cares about the building and will literally drop what he is doing to help you. My only negative was the company would not email us leases to sign. They wanted to meet us and sign in their office. I guess I understand but not so convenient. Nothing but good things to say. Joanna is our contact person (manager), and I highly recommend this company. read more

The management is terrible at communication; they just ignore you until they think the problem has gone away. For example, our key literally broke inside the lock once (due to a poorly fitted lock), and someone told us to call back the next day (meaning we'd be locked out of our apt and ...homeless for the evening?) We finally got it fixed ourselves at our own expense. And don't even think about getting your security deposit back. The one star is for our wonderful super, who tried to be as helpful as possible given the horrible management company he works for. read more

Re: 315 West 113th Street JEFF PIKUS heads a poorly run office. This is the worst managed company that I've come across. Horrible customer service to go along with major issues with the heating and a very inconsistent boiler. The management office has a lackluster attitude towards issues. They don't follow-up or communicate very well at all. Clean up your act. JEFF PIKUS is responsible for hiring and training his management office staff. Over the past few years the only constant has been the lazy way that they go about fixing issues. If they manage your building there is a strong possibility that you will feel like you are begging rather than a tenant asking for basic things like heat and hot water. JEFF PIKUS and his office lack in many ways. But it is the careless attitude that is most upsetting. read more

I lived in a 2 bedroom apartment in Harlem on 127th street, owned/managed by Jeffrey Pikus of Blue Star Properties for two and half years. I lived there with my two young children because we wanted to be close to my sister and brother-in-law who lived in Columbia student housing. The apartment was ridiculously overpriced, in a loud, unsafe neighborhood where there was rampant drug dealing on the front stoop and at the Bodega across the street. We stayed there beyond our first year only because we couldn't affford to save for another place. The apartment became infested with bedbugs at the end of our second year of living there, but we were locked into a two year lease. Pikus had someone come in and spray for bugs, but the bedbugs only got worse. I was told by the pest control company that they had been in the building in different units multiple times, and the only way to get rid of the bedbugs was to treat the whole building. Pikus did not. What he did do was sue me when my kids and I broke our lease and vacated after 5 embarrassing, extremely uncomfortable months of living with bedbugs. Although I felt I had a viable defense (uninhabitability due to bedbug infestation), I didn't have a lawyer, and after 2 years of having to deal with Pikus's lawyer, postponement after postponement, I finally, reluctantly agreed to a settlement in which I have to pay him $4000.00 for living with bedbugs. I'm a special education teacher in Harlem, and this is an extreme hardship for me and my children. Fortunately, I now live in a more reasonably priced apartment that is bed bug free, and owned and managed by decent people. Please think twice before you consider renting a place from Blue star properties, Jeffrey Pikus, or West 127th Street associates. read more

We sublet an apartment from a tenant who we paid rent directly to. He continued to accept rent from us while failing to pay it to Blue Star and has now entered the eviction and surrender process. Blue Star (Jeff & Irene) were so kind and accommodating and we are looking forward to enjoying our new home, the home was supposed to be a part of our life in the first place. Their kindness was a lesson in humility and grace that we will never forget and we look forward to a long relationship with Blue Star. Its hard to find a landlord like this in a city like New York and anyone would be lucky to have them as a part of their lives. Thank you, Blue Star. read more

I have been in Harlem for 5 years now. Found this unit from Bluestar Properties an avenue away from where I had been living. Josh made the application process quick and painless with a quick turn around on approval. The move in was also a breeze as Josh was kind enough to let us in a few days early given how close I was already located. Key pick up was also painless from their midtown office. This made life easier and more flexible during the move. They also addressed all fixes I called out on my pre-inspection walkthrough including but not limited to, regrouting the tile in the bathroom, cleaning the apartment thoroughly, and fixing all light switches. I would recommend you give Bluestar Properties a look if you're looking to upgrade. My girlfriend and I got a massive one bedroom from them and they have many more comparable or larger units at reasonable no-fee listings. Thanks Josh! read more

Management stiffed me for residual rent they owed me...never make an agreement with the manager, ariel or anyone else. They will tell you what you want to hear, then never follow up or make good on their promise. Believe me, it happened. They are thieves. read more

I signed the lease to move into one of the buildings managed by Blue Star properties in Harlem10 days ago. At the time I asked Mr. Sam Schreiber if they can put window gates (2 of them) by the windows in front of the fire escape for security. He said he will. Since then I have been by almost every day to see if the gates were up. I lived in the neighborhood for 5 years and actually had someone try to break in through fire escape window while I was in it once, so I was very highly anxious about the issue. I contacted Mr. Schreiber almost everyday and even several times one day over one week period asking when the gates will be up- that was the only way I could relieve some of my anxiety which was really effecting me. I am sure that it was very annoying to have to deal with that, but he cordially reassured me each time that the gates will be up before I move in, and indeed they are up. I'm just really thankful that Mr. Schreiber was so patient with me- he had 7 days to make sure the job is done and any normal person would not have acted like I did but he was alway very nice each time I spoke to him about it. I see some negative reviews about Blue Star Properties: Mr. Schreiber I believe has been with the company for a year now, and Blue Star Properties is taking a step in the right direction by hiring someone who not only honors what he says but is very nice on top of it! read more