11 W. Division

Extremely frustrating experience with BJB Properties leasing office regarding apartment showings while I am still living in my unit. They brought a large group of people into my apartment without the required 48-hour advance notice, walking across my carpet in muddy outdoor shoes despite prior written assurances regarding shoe coverings and a clearly posted sign asking leasing agents and visitors to remove their shoes or wear shoe covers. Imagine finding 5+ strangers wandering around your home... through a pet camera when you’re out of town.. Even after I specifically requested that a different leasing agent handle any future showings because I was no longer comfortable with this agent entering my home, I continued to receive showing requests involving the same agent.

They also send numerous showing notifications almost every day for months—sometimes multiple notices a day for groups of strangers to tour your home—yet many times, no one shows up at all. This has been going on for over two months and is still ongoing since I decided not to renew the lease.

I understand that apartment showings with proper advance notice are part of the move-out process. I have been very cooperative with properly scheduled showings, only to feel that my time, privacy, and living space have been repeatedly disrespected. If you’re considering renting with BJB, keep in mind what the move-out experience may look like: months of frequent showing notices, strangers potentially touring your home multiple times a day, repeated no-shows after you’ve adjusted your schedule, muddy shoes on your carpet, and even a large group being illegally brought into my occupied apartment without the required advance notice.

Unless you’re planning to rent with BJB forever, I strongly recommend asking specifically about their showing and entry policies before signing a lease. Based on my experience, the way you are treated once you decide not to renew may feel very different from what you expected based on the lease and prior communication.

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Smaller apartments perfect for one person and solid price for the location. Great location if you like to be just steps away from Gold Coast night life and a block from the lake (easy walk to Oak Street beach). This is one of the better management companies I've been with. The maintenance and cleaning staff are on it. I've never waited more than a day for issues to get resolved. Building cleaned almost daily. Easy to get quick responses from management.
One of my favorite places I've stayed.... It's cute, fitting a full bed, sofa, dresser, desk and coffee table. Residents are young and friendly. Read More

I called emergency management because I got locked out. They said an engineer will be here in 30-45 minutes. I decided to wait but not one showed up in over an hour and a half. I called again just to be told I had to go to their office at a different location or wait another 1.5 hours. Then they hung up on me and wouldn’t answer my calls. Apartment isn’t good enough to compensate for this lack of assistance for the tenants.

This is a good building for young people in transition. Located in the heart of the Gold Coast area, it is easy to access the "L" (Clark and Division Red Line Stop) as well as a number of different buses. Entertainment is literally only steps away 5-6 bars and clubs all on your street. The studio apartment is on the smaller side and only has a conventional oven, not a standard one. Definitely one of the cheaper apartments in the area and comes with free cable and a access to wifi (you just have... to purchase your own router.) Read More