I have lived in one of the Uptown buildings for about 4 years. Maintenance requests are handled quickly. The common areas have been upgraded and there are no roaches thanks to rigorous extermination schedule. Overall, it is a quiet building and residents are respectful of one another. It is generally easy to find a free washer in the laundry room. The building manager is friendly and interested in feedback from the residents. The tenant portal makes paying rent and placing maintenance requests very easy. I am very happy living here. read more

This place is straight up awful. I have had the worst time here and will never come back to this place. First off this place is bug/rodent infested and they do the bare minimum to take care of it. Even after they spray they don't keep the bugs out whether it is bed bugs or random crawlers. As for mice, they are definitely all over there apartments. I lived in the W Hollywood apartments and one resident told me that they have had over 5 mice in a 12 month span. They also told me that when they asked for help to kill them, they had to jump through hoops for maintenance to help them. Lastly for the rats, they are all around the parking lots. It would never surprise me when I would take out the trash to see a rat run away or crawl by cars. Next is the parking. These spots are tiny and are understandable because its Chicago, but cars are inches away from each other. So as a bigger person, it can be difficult to get in and out of the car. Also there is a loading space next to the door that some people park at which makes it quite frustrating when you just want to park or leave your spot when a car is parked right behind you. Finally, the absolute worst part about this place has to be the smell of the hallways and neighbors. There is no ventilation in the hallways which makes it smell especially if you have neighbors who cook smelly foods. There would be times I would walk onto the floor and it would just reek of whatever they were cooking. There would also be times where they would leave their door open and I would have to hold my breath and hustle to get into my room. Overall, I would not recommend this to anyone or hope anyone to take an overpriced apartment from this company in general. Do your research on these properties and see how bad these places are. I hope you take something away from my rant and see this as a warning if you do decide to stay here read more

Don't live in 4735 N Beacon, they have a roach problem. I moved out after living there for only 3 months because they would crawl all over my kitchen and bathroom. They started to invade the rest of the apartment. Management was less than helpful when it came to them fixing the problem, hence the whole leaving after 3 months there, and they have been either silent or rude when answering to my complaints about the roach infestation (that I know other tenants have had in the building as, ya know, I talked to them duh). Whatever, just don't live there. Overpriced studios to boot, not worth it. read more

J&J Equities is a great company to rent from. They answer promptly to maintenance requests and the apartment complex was kept clean. I would definitely recommend renting from them! read more

My property manager is very unresponsive to emails/texts and passive aggressive when a response is given. Some of the tenants in my building are also not the nicest. When I went to go pick up my keys the office seemed unorganized as well, they spent 20 minutes looking for my keys. read more

I can't say that we are one of the longest tenants in the building. Although, I believe that we have lived in the building for a considerable amount of time, and one of the longer residing tenants since we first signed the first lease in January 2005. Since that time we've had the pleasure of living here through two (2) different leasing agencies with the first one going out of business on December 31, 2013. And then on January 1, 2014, J&J Equities property management assumed all operations for with things starting off on a very rocky start under the new management after assuming the property. Almost immediately they were forced to begin immediate upgrades and renovations. The very first January which consisted of lots of snow along with sub-zero weather, that in turn caused the pipes to rupture. Although, we have to give J&J Equities credit as they checked with every resident to see if they had safety space in each apartment to make sure adequate means to provide heat for the period of time that it was going to take to repair the broken pipes since they had plumbers on site 24 hours a day until they could get the pipes replaced and/or repaired which took approximately a week to accomplishon account of going around and asking everyone if they had space heaters to use for the short period of time it was going to take the plumbers whom were working around the clock to rectify the situation which I believe was right at a week. Ever since J&J Equities has taken over property on January 1, 2014, they have continually performed upgrades, improvement to the property including remodeling units as they become vacant. Although at times this may have caused minor inconveniences, but in the long run the improvements have been worth the minor inconveniences such as repairing / replacing pipes (plumbing), replaced the roof with a completely new roof, they have freshly painted the hallway walls, replaced carpeting in all of the hallways, installed elevators on each side of the building, we see them delivering new stoves and refrigerators for the newly remodeled units. They have pest control coming out monthly alternating floors. They have a portal which you have option of paying on-line or dropping of your rent payment in the mail slot in the office. The Building manager has been great and accommodating when any problems have risen. They prefer you use the portal to report any issues that way they can track them not to mention to make sure that things are handled in a timely manner. Have had positive experiences dealing with Mike and Rayli have been great and go above and beyond what have experienced with some building management staff. read more

J&J had just recently bought the building I moved into when I started my lease, and they handled everything very well, including continuing improvement and updating the building. The online portal is really great, and they respond to maintenance and other requests very well. I'm moving closer to the city for work but would stay in the building much longer if I were able. read more

I am leaving this review for the sole purpose to warn others about the truth in living in these apartments. i resided in a building right off of Logan Square. Beyond the location - there is nothing good about signing a lease here. In fact, the location isn't even a good reason as there are other less expensive options right in this area. First of all, the rent is atrocious. It began as a rent of $995 for this tiny "glorified dorm room" as I refer to it. If you have a pet, expect a $35 extra charge a month. I have since found numerous apartments that are far bigger and cost far less located in the same vicinity of this building. Upon receiving my lease renewal, I was offered the "opportunity" to resign. The rent has now been raised to $1040 a month. $1040!!!!! For a tiny studio that offers you nothing but a place to leave your stuff and a laundry room that charges $1.75 a load. That $1040 does not include a pet fee, therefore if you have one, your rent will actually be more like $1075. Also, I have found studios located in the Gold Coast with some amenities included that are that expensive, if not less. My second word of warning lies in the fact that not only can you expect your rent to be absurd, but ALSO, my ComEd bill was NEVER less than $100 - even when it was warm. The building has recently changed to electric heat which is great as that means there is nothing on your floor obstructing the tiny space you are paying to live in. However, in the winter months, I was forced to purchase a small heater because regardless of how high I turned the heat up, I was still freezing. My lowest winter ComEd bill was $125. My biggest was more like $200. THAT IS INSANITY!!!! This is the fifth and SMALLEST apartment I have ever lived in in my time in Chicago, and NEVER has my ComEd bill been so high. So, not only is the rent way too high, but you can also expect to pay out the ass for your ComEd bill. That in itself, is a good enough reason to not sign as you are committing to closer to $1200 a month with rent and utilities and again - IN THIS TINY SPACE WITH NO AMENITIES. My third word of warning is that there are definitely bugs and mice in this building - and although I was told it would be taken care of, it was never followed up on. If it was, I was not notified. My final word of warning is this - I have come back to my apartment more than once and noticed little things that lead me to believe people had entered my apartment, when I was not home, WITHOUT ANY COMMUNICATION OR PERMISSION TO DO SO. That violation is potentially the worst - and their unprofessional staff is not one I would care to have enter my apartment without my being there, MUCH LESS WITHOUT MY KNOWING!!!! For the love of God - take some time to search as the options for better places to reside are easy to find, and far less expensive. I would never EVER recommend this leasing company or this building for any future tenants. read more

This isn't their first property management rodeo. After J&J bought my courtyard building in Logan Square, they've steadily improved just about everything, and are quick to respond if anything unexpected goes wrong. Highly recommended. read more

I reside in a bldg managed by J & J Equities which is well maintained- inside the apartment as well as the grounds. If I have had any questions/concerns regarding.the apartment or the building.my phone call/ email was always promptly responded and addressed by someone at the management office or by the bldg mngr. It has been my experience that anyone from the J&J Equities team that I've had any personal / phone or email interaction with has alwaysss proven to be professional and friendly. read more

The other reviews are all absolutely true. I hope to god I never have a living experience as bad as this one, from bed bugs (a nightmare I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy) to literally having my apartment ransacked and robbed. Through it all, they acted like I was the problem and never once acknowledged how challenging it was for me to be living in an unsafe apartment. I paid my rent on time every single month and they treated me like utter dirt. They even removed me from the buzzer system so I could no longer buzz people into my own apartment. I can't believe that people would be so heartless as these property managers. Under absolutely no circumstances should you live in a J&J apartment. read more

I have loved renting from J&J. I live in one of their uptown properties. Every maintenance request I have submitted has been fixed within 24 hours. Every interaction with this company has been helpful and pleasant. read more

I absolutely love my apartment. I started renting April of 2017 and had a beautiful summer by the lake. When I first came to view my apartment I was taken aback by the blue walls and the stained closet doors, and very impressed by the size and condition of the studio apartment. The windows are brand new and everything in the unit is in great condition. I have had great communication with my leasing agent, Fry Prero, in completing timely maintenance requests, and I really appreciate the courtesy I received from maintenance staff. I also want to say that I really appreciate that somebody comes in regularly to clean the common areas, such as the laundry room and hallways. The buildings are clean and I've had no issues with bugs and now that it's cold and the radiators are on I'm good and toasty warm with these new windows. I mean it when I say I love my apartment. And I'm really happy to be renting with J&J. read more

Solid apartments and quality service. Had a few maintenance issues and they always had great service and responded quickly. Renewed multiple times on the lease and they were flexible with negotiating rates. Overall I would use them again if I still lived in Chicago read more

I don't have a lot of good things to say about J&J, but I don't have anything bad to say either. I did learn a few things though, and maybe that will help others. I moved into a one bedroom apartment on Hollywood. The apartment was recently renovated with paint, and the hardwood floors being redone. The bathroom and kitchen were upgraded. Altogether a nice place. Unfortunately the apartment faced Hollywood, which is at the north end of Lake Shore Drive. The traffic in the morning and evening was horrendous. Sirens, lots of sirens. I used headphones to watch TV. Yes, this is with the windows closed. Lesson 1 - Don't get an apartment facing a major street. Most of the fixtures in the apartment were of good quality, but the blinds were the lowest quality that could be found. Lesson 2 - Check everything before you move in. I moved in in January, and the baseboard heating was running. No way to shut it off, or lower the heating. I had to open the windows to regulate the heat. We're talking negative temps outside. Lesson 3 - Ask about heating/cooling, and how it works in the building. Then there is the shower. Just slightly enough volume for the water to spray from the fixture without coagulating into a trickle. I installed a wand system. Temperature regulation was a learning experience. Lesson 4 - Check water flow, hot and cold. Then there was the neighbor, upstairs. Surprising how a person so light could walk so heavily. Most people would be unhappy if someone else knew what they were doing in their home. I had no choice, as they transmitted their actions to my ceiling. I knew when they got up in the morning (5:00 am). I knew when they went to the bathroom, and showering. In the kitchen, the dining area, the living room. When they left, and hearing the footsteps in the hallway. I knew when they went out on a Friday, or Saturday night. Or I should say, when they came back (2:00 am). I did not want to know these things. Lesson 5 - Get a top floor apartment, or make sure the rental agreement has a "do not disturb" clause in it. The apartment had parking, $100, or $120 a month for open or covered. Standard rate for Chicago. A block and a halfish to the Metra station. The train worked well to get to/from work. The beach was about a block away, but because of the cold weather I only went out there once. Now we come to J&J proper. They seem to be a typical property management company. The people were a bit nicer than other property management people I came across. Paying the rent was easy, online. They would have some problems fixed, and ignored others. Asking about the shower water, and the neighbor above me got no response. However asking about the heat had the building super to show up at my door. The gentleman was gruff at first, but as we talked he became very friendly. He turned out to be a very nice guy. Unfortunately the heating system was not adjustable. I had a year lease, but had to exit it early. Someone took the place, but after an extra month, which I was responsible for. If I had to do it again, I would have looked for just a room or something smaller. If I could get it I would get a shorter lease. As it stands, the J&J people were nice enough, but business like. Would I rent from them again? Depends on the place, and how the water, heating, and location work out, but yes. Would I want the same place, no. read more

I live in one of the buildings managed by J&J and they are absolutely horrible. Rats, BedBugs, Mice, Cockroaches, you name it they have it! The worst part is that the people that live in the buildings are extremely dirty as well and are comfortable living in filth. Management is horrible and almost impossible to get a hold of. My building has 20+ rat holes that are just left there. This company is a joke. stay away. read more

This was the worst living experience of my life paired with it being the most expensive. My apartment was unlivable on a number of occasions, making up over a month of my stay that I had to bum it on friends' couches. Maintenance was terrible, repairs were terrible and my property manager was completely useless. SAVE YOUR MONEY and time and energy. I have fought management for 8 months now on many different issues. I can't wait to move out! I can't wait to have functioning pipes, no rodents, and a landlord I can trust again. I was completely helpless and was never taken seriously when the issues I faced were direct threats to my immediate health. Boiling water pouring through the ceiling of my bathroom, dozens of rodents, No hot water for an entire month, flooded bathroom, light fixtures dangling by wires, literally holes in the wall that opened up to the outside... No joke. And my rent price was through the roof. read more

Don't rent from J & J Equities. They'll price gauge and neglect you. It's not worth it.

I have now been a tenant with J&J for almost 3 years on Malden ! Over the time of living on the property I've noticed major improvements in the building quality !!! From New carpeting throughout all the hallways and Lobby, a new mailbox system installed this past year* refinished and painted back stairwells, on top of setting up a new secure locked bike room on the 1st level! The Maintenance manager Cesar from what I have seen is almost available daily and very friendly! I was locked out last winter during the morning and with no hesitation he was over in a matter of minutes . .. The Pest control here is not bad either ! 3-4 visits a year!... We all understand that a lot of these buildings in Chicago are 100's of years old but I feel as if J&J is doing its part to give me the best living conditons available * !! Two Thumbs up for the hospitality and effort guys!! Thank you!!!!****************** read more

Management is very attentive to any issues that I had while living in one of their properties for over 2 years. I only moved out because I needed a larger apartment. I would highly recommend to a friend! read more

Obviously most reviews on Yelp for property management / rental locations stink. I have to say my experience was great. Everyone was extremely friendly, and almost exact opposite of these yelp reviews. Building was taken care of, and never had any issues like most of these "reviews". read more

Trying to contact management or get a problem solved is impossible. Personally, my apartment has had trouble with rats, ants, cockroaches, and now drain flies. All caused by faulty architecture or how the dirty building is itself. Try going to their office, but the receptionist will tell you quickly that "no one is there" and to "email/call them to get ahold of them." Strange how they wouldn't be around their office during business hours. Perhaps they are out fixing the various problems in the buildings. But if you do get ahold of them, fear not. They will treat you poorly and send a maintenance worker to put a band-aid on the problems in your unit. We had a rat hole in our apartment that was "fixed" with two sticky traps stuck outside of it. It was clever, but did not actually plug the hole, which we were told was going to happen. Don't lease one of the units in their buildings unless you enjoy living in filth, decay, and other problems that keep health inspectors up at night. read more

they are the worst people ever... they just don't talk.... tenants rights don't matter t ot them.... they decide when the lease is out and then they want you out by midnight..... doesn't matter if you have a vehicle or not... the big picture is they just don't care they only care about filling their pockets with rent money.. the back is seriously negelceted... paint is off the wall. stairs are in need of repair.. the laundry - room? the washers tear up your clothes.. ther's rats every where.. bed-bugs mold etc.. best to look elsewhere not here... read more