Is Trump Tower (Chicago) a Shithole building?

The fees you mention don't sound out of line at all for a place like that.

What is this “elavator fee” landlords are charging people? Sounds like a scam to me.

I've never heard of an $1100 elevator fee. Where are you from R1? The background check is not uncommon,

The site makes you register, sorry - so here's the floor plan for the $3500 1-br.

R2 - it goes to the condo association. The landlord doesn't get it. I guess it's one way to keep assessments down and discourage renters from moving in and out.

If the move is tying up the elevator for hours I can see it. I have heard of that fee before. Obviously it's not going to be charged in some dumpo roach building in Washington Heights.

I think someone who lives in Trump Tower can afford an $1100 fee.

With movers and the elevator, you just paid 13 mos rent on a 1-year lease.

I don't see what you are all upset about. As long as there is no law in Chicago (or Illinois) restricting these kind of fees, there's no problem. If people want to to pay it, they will. If they don't they'll go elsewhere and the Trump Tower will have to lower the fees to get people. There's no scam here it's just the free market at work.

Who's upset? I am the OP - just posting facts. R2 called it a "scam" and I just pointed out it's not and it's money for the association.

What IS sneaky - is that after you do your lease (I haven't dealt with this place but others) - and you're all done with the credit check and so on... and finally found your apartment - THEN they bring up the $1100 or $750 or whatever (depends on where). That, IMO, is obnoxious. All fees really should be up-front... before you apply. In these listings, they are not mentioned. It's mentioned on a review site of the building.

My building has a security deposit for damage to amenities like the party room, conference room etc. but you get it back as long as you haven't wrecked the place- but nothing for use of the elevator-yet.

It may not be mentioned on the listing but may be on the application, or when you go in their office. You don't know.

Why is this any worse or different than paying a "broker fee" for an apartment in Manhattan to a broker who does 5 minutes of work?

The problem with finding out about the fee is that condo building management will generally speak to a renter. It's up to the owner of the unit to convey this (and why would they put it right up front?) My experience is that they don't tell you until the last minute, with other buildings. It's funny to me you think it's totally normal to pay $1100 to use an elevator. This is the highest priced elevator in Chicago - well above the Waldorf, the Ritz Carlton Residences, and 2550 Lakeview... all of which are in the same category.

Chicago doesn't have broker fees charged to the renter. They're charged to the owner / LL. Chicago is not NYC. You cannot compare the two. A $3500/mo 1-br in Chicago is crazy enough + living with hotel guests swarming all over the place for that price? No thanks!

I'm just posting what I know from the area... no need to get your panties in a bunch.

The problem with finding out about the fee is that condo building management will generally NOT speak to a renter

R11 has never heard of caveat emptor. Plus R11 and R12 are assuming a lot of things.

If the rent is $3500 then this elevator fee of $1100 is actually much less than a typical broker's fee. This sounds like a good deal if you want a luxury apartment.

Wow everyone loves Trump's elevator fee?

What are your thoughts on hotel guests running around your halls and cluttering up your driveway with their cabs and ubers?

R15 no one is forcing anyone to rent there.

[quote]If the rent is $3500 then this elevator fee of $1100 is actually much less than a typical broker's fee.

Can you reread r11 please?

Nobody charges a brokers fee to the tenant in Chicago...as previously stated. So, whe "typical" broker's fee is zero. And, it's more than elevator fees in comparable buildings.

R16 - nobody is forcing you to defend Trump's monstrous building to death... or are they?

R17 thank you for clarifying what this thread is really about -- your hatred for Trump. Not the fees, layout.

Is this one of those naming rights deals or is Ivanka involved?

I'd never tie myself to anyone in that family - litigation seems to be a stench that sticks to everyone involved with them.

I'm done with this thread. I can just visualize the posters there -- bunch of Occupy Wall Street types who haven't bathed in a week.

October 18, 2018: Trump name removed from another NYC condo building

The values of their apartments were plummeting. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Here's a 3 bedroom 3.5 bath condo at the above mentioned 2550 Lakeview which sold in 2016 for $3,175,000.

r20, some of these queens could fire your mom and destroy your dad's hair with one or two phone calls. Be careful!

Russia! Russia! And porn star!

The elevator fee is more likely a "move fee." Where I live, almost every condo building has a move fee (it goes directly to the association regardless if a homeowner or tenant is moving in) which covers time for building staff to pad the elevator before/remove pads after the move, security during the move and in most buildings a required building orientation prior to move in. When a homeowner purchases, the fee is collected during the closing process and if a homeowner or their assigned agent rents a unit, while the homeowner is ultimately responsible for paying, it can be passed on to and collected from a tenant. State law requires all fees to be listed in any rental advertising. The fees here range from $50-$900 depending on the building.

My brother has a coworker who got a really great deal on a unit after the election.

R22...

This building is for the A Gays (Rahm, Blago).

lol

Blago lives here

(he was still better than Rauner though)

I've never heard of a hotel/condo building having hotel guests & full time residents on the same floors. Where I live the residential floors are always above the hotel floors, with their own separate entrance.

Good explanation R25. Ours is $500 with $250 returned after no damage to elevators.

My building takes a usage + damage deposit. The weird thing is movers have millions of dollars in liability insurance, and they have repairmen that they use routinely to fix problems. It's kind of shitty that the condo can claim you dented a wall and keep your $300 when the movers could fix it for free - or if it was really bad, they'd have insurance to pay.

When somebody purchases art by the yard - HUGE canvasses in greige - how do they get them up in an elevator?

Most freight elevators have removable ceilings for larger pieces.