DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY. They charge a ridiculously high rent for what you receive. They have a strict NO PETS policy, but almost every tenant had a loud, obnoxious dog. When we asked them to do something about it, they just left us on read. On top of that, the plumbing is awful, shared laundry rarely has fully operational machines, and they have been doing renovations for over a year. There is a serious rodent and insect problem. With all that, they have the AUDACITY to charge almost $3000 for a 650 sq ft apartment. WTH. Also, the management team is anything but helpful. Colin Haefner takes DAYS to respond, and when he does its two sentences or less. It's like he can't be bothered to do his job. Everyone else there is lazy, and seems like they're annoyed when asked to DO THEIR JOB. Overall, the worst company I've ever rented an apartment from, and I seriously advise you not to WASTE YOUR MONEY. I'm starting to think this entire company is a scam, and wondering how they have managed to stay in business this long. Companies like this are what's wrong with America today; their corporate greed and lack of effort in all regards are horrendous. If I could rate 0 stars, I would. - EDIT: Your Response is vague and useless. Spend more time fixing your crappy realty company instead of typing the same sentence on every negative review. I don't know how you got your current role, but you seem very unfit to be in charge. read more

I contacted them for touring available units multiple times over phone and in-person and they kept on ignoring me after time. Is there any asians that live there. Is there any other reason that the management is ignoring my request? read more

Took my deposit of $4600.00 and arranger to meet the super at 9:00 am to get my keys. I had a panic attack during the night and was in hospital getting sorted out. Last thing on my mind was to think to call the super. I assumed that they would be there all day. She got her nose of joint and rescinded our agreement basically leaving me homeless with all of my belongings on my moving van which is going to cost me an arm and a leg till I find a new spot. They are being vindictive by making me wait 7-10 business days to process my refund and I have to physically go to their offices at Yonge and St. Clair to pick up my cheque. Unreal. Stay away from these "mother fckrs" at all costs. read more

hope you like rats - the garbage in the shed is uncovered and i haven't had a day without seeing rats while taking out the garbage Or walking through the building entryway. It's weird because the yard is well kept and nicely landscaped, the apt itself is renovated and very nice. but there is a rodent problem stemming from open garbage bins. add mice to the list - mice are having a field day. read more

We were tenants here in 3 different places. When we moved to Waterfall Hills in Canton, MA we began having issues. I was 8 months pregnant when our downstair neighbors began threatening us that we were "making too much noise" until we find out it was a pipe issue and a structural issue that was the root of everything. Our apartment was remodeled and we had hardwood floors but the downstairs unit was not remodeled so essentially everything echoed and sounded louder than it was. One night, our downstairs neighbor tried to barge in to our unit and began saying that if we didn't stop the stomping she was going to get "real ignorant" whatever that meant. After this we tried to work with the leasing office to change units as it was causing a lot of stress and strain on our family especially with a newborn. However, none of the available units were about the same size or price that we had and the leasing office would not budge on the price. One night, we overhead the downstairs neighbors CLEARLY saying that "we have been here for 3 years. they have been here 3 months,. If I ever see that bitch again I am going to slap her again and again." At this point, we did not feel safe staying there and we packed our bags and went to stay with our in-laws. The next day we filed a police report and requested to be let out of our lease which they granted. I am writing this review, because after living with the company for 5 years we feel as if they did NOTHING to protect us and makes us feel instead they kept sweeping the issue under the rug. Eventually we had to move AGAIN and it caused more financial hardship and stress on our family. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY AT ALL!! read more

Terrible on multiple levels... Customer service is awful, they gaslight, and don't address problems at all--just an overall bad experience.

I have lived in the CHR building in Brighton for a couple of years, in the beginning it wasn't bad and I had no issues. The unit itself was in good shape minus the bedroom heating not working. I made complaints about the noise level from neighbors, and it had no improvements, Ive had to leave to my family's house to get some sleep. Neighbors have no respect for you and other working individuals who need to get rest before work, they will slam doors/ move heavy things around purposely to make noise after midnight or later. Peoples packages are being stolen right from the mail area, again I made a complaint to the office and they insured me that cameras would be installed to help with the issue but that didn't happen. On a few occasions two winters ago, I had a homeless person sleeping in the hallway feet from my back door. They shouldn't be allowed to enter the locked apartment doors, but the front doors are always kept ajar even with signs on the door to keep them closed. What's the point of the signs then?? I felt unsafe and my privacy violated being a female in a single until, and they're best advised, "call none emergency police" and I did that and they didn't show up, no surprise there! Haha Don't waste your money on this place, they just take your hard earned money and charge so much for a units and don't care about you, it isn't worth the hassle unless you like sleepless nights and obnoxious neighbors. I'm moving out soon, thank goodness I don't have to deal with this bs anymore!! read more

Poor customer service, rather than work with residents they rather take them to court. High turnover because management in Norwood doesn't know how to work with residents to resolve issues. Total disregard and empathy for residents. read more

Lack of basic human respect. One star for a great maintenance team, but leadership and management are the worst!

Not even referring to any unit/property, just CHR in general. I've been on the apartment hunt for a few weeks & every time I find a CHR property, I see a given price range that sounds perfect, then I go to their "Floor Plans & Pricing" page and the prices are SO FAR from that range... like unbelievably more expensive. Are y'all whack?? It's just so freaking annoying. I wish there was a way to specifically exclude CHR properties from my searches. read more

I've been living in 20 Chapel st. Brookline (yes, it's Longwood towers Apartment) since 2021. When I contracted, I put my two kids on the lists, and there has been no problem since then. I renewed my contraction last June, and now I pay 3,600 USD or more per month, including parking, for a one-bedroom apartment. Last weekend, the door was broken, so I requested the maintenance service. Today I got a phone call from a lady (617-383-5035) while working (she did not tell her name), saying that my apartment was "unsanitary". She said that the maintenance team told her that my apartment was unsanitary, with toys and clothes. She even mentioned that why we're sleeping in mattresses without frame. I do not use frames because of safety issue (kids are still too young). She called me by name, and kept saying that my house was unsanitary, and she'll do 'sanitary inspection' by herself in 2 weeks. OK. my house may be messy, but what is the standard of 'Unsanitary"? If she thinks that my house is still "unsanitary", will she kick me out before the end of lease? I tried to clean up everyday, but sometimes it is really hard to manage it because I have to raise my kids while working in the hospital. And then, she asked me my kids names. I already put their names on the lease contract since 2021. If she's calling from the office, why did she ask me that question? Then she suddenly mentioned that it is violation that I live in one-bedroom with my two kids. If so, why did they make a lease contract in 2021? What about the lease renewal last year? She said that it's not my fault, but she'll withdraw my lease renewal this time. Even a couple of weeks ago, I got a phone call from the office that they made a mistake for my parking document, and they had not charged me. I gave the office all the documents, and I hadn't paid any attention since then, thinking that the parking fee would be automatically withdrawn. So I was told to pay thousands dollars at once. After telling that I already gave them all the required documents, they said they could find my documents mixed in the other tenant's file. I paid that thousands dollars at once because I'd been satisfied the Longwood towers apartment. I'm an eye doctor and a professor, and here I'm working as a researcher. I think I've paid pretty much money here, even though I'd had chances to move out to bigger ones. Do you guys think I'm a poor immigrant from outside USA? So she just called my name without hesitation, and kept saying "unsanitary' and "violation"? I feel really humiliated. By stating that my house is "unsanitary", does the Chestnut Hill realty want me to feel humiliated and embarrassed? So that I make my mind to leave this Longwood towers apartment? Is this the plan of Chestnut Hill Realty ? Yes, you guys succeed. I usually also recommended this Longwood towers apartment and Hancock village to my colleagues when they come to Boston, but I'll never recommend Chestnut Hill realty any more. Is there any head manager who is in charge of this matter? read more

While looking for a new apartment, my husband made a phone inquiry for a rental at Hancock Village, managed by Chestnut Hill Realty. During the conversation, the agent asked him if we have pets. When he replied "Yes", he was asked if there was someone else who could watch them. As though a lease is a weekend getaway. As in, "can you find someone to watch your pets for the next couple of years? That's no big deal, right?" When he asked the agent if she had pets, instead of giving a normal human response, she replied, "yes, but I am required to ask". I think the blatant disregard for the relationship between people and their pets is callous and that Chestnut Hill Realty is disgusting. It is one thing to have a pet-free facility, it is another to encourage people to rid themselves of their beloved companions. Chestnut Hill Realty - you disgust me. read more

I've now been here for 2 years. I always enjoyed my stay here. This last year as been a complete hell. Lots of sketchy new residents and ups and FedEx packages always being stolen. I recently reached out to the office of a very expensive package being stolen and they didn't seem to care at all. She asked if it was in the hall way. Like seriously??!! You didn't think I thought to look in the hall way. After chatting with other people in the building this has been happening for a few months (mail theft) I'd say run away from the 1223 location asap. They won't put better locks on the doors that are always propped open and refuse to invest in a camera. I'm reaching out once more before I take this to a higher power. Review may change based on if the office will even reach out to me. read more

I have not rented with CHR, but I viewed several of their apartments as a prospective tenant looking for an apartment in Brookline. I viewed the apartments with an agent from their Brookline Beacon Street office. She was very friendly, helpful and honest throughout the tour. I know that CHR has requirements for applying that might appear expensive, but I have found that it is very typical for most landlords and management companies in Boston to charge first, last and security. CHR often pays the broker fee and I was told even offers free month's rent on certain apartments at different times of the year. While most of the apartments are outdated, I thought they provided ample space and were placed in excellent locations. read more

After telling me 3 different apartments, each going up in price, before finally telling the about one that DID meet my criteria. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to cancel my lease ONE day after signing, and FOUR WEEKS before I was due to move in. They insist end I pay a months rent, and did not care about the difficult personal, financial & health circumstances I was facing. Really poor customer service & really poor quality, dated apartments. read more

I'm super happy with my apartment! It's such a pleasant experience living at their Wendell place in Cambridge. The management company is responsive/customer service centered (the complete opposite of Boston slumlords) and I love the tulips they plant in the spring. read more

Another reason to hate chestnut hill realty: they give outside contractors the key to your apartment without notifying you and find a man in your kitchen at 10am with no warning is very startling, invasive and not safe. I am beyond relieved to be moving out of their buildings. HORRIBLE MANAGEMENT! read more

I honestly can't say enough about our experience with CHR. In the fall of 2013, we were set to move into an apartment (not a CHR place) that turned out to be an awful situation. We decided to not even move our stuff into this place, but we were left with the question of "where in the world are we going to live"? Luckily, my fiancee decided to call CHR. Not even two hours later we met with a broker who showed us a great apartment in Coolidge Corner. They graciously worked with us and even held the apartment longer than usual so we could sort everything out. We felt like CHR genuinely cared about our situation and did something that helped us enormously. Fast forward to this year, when a work situation was forcing us to relocate before our lease was up. Again, CHR graciously worked with us and made the process easier than I would have ever imagined. No apartment is perfect, but we loved our time renting from CHR. After some horrible Boston real estate experiences, I'd feel comfortable recommending them to anyone I know. read more

Chestnut Hill just took over my apartment building in Framingham. They are manipulating the lease length so that they can charge higher prices. Anyone who has a lease between August and February are only given options to end their lease between March and July. That way Chestnut Hill can charge more because the rental prices are higher in those months. They offered a neighbor of mine a 9 month lease and raised her rent. In 9 months they are going to renew her lease and raise her rent again because of the market. Not to mention, the elevator has been breaking down constantly the last three months. Several people were stuck in the elevator including children. The maintenance will call the elevator company, but won't call 911. Luckily, someone called the fire department. The air conditioning almost never works and many apartments have had mold issues. My building allows pets. You pay a fee and dogs can only use the freight elevator. Not a fan. read more

Chestnut Hill has done truly revolutionary work in terms of lowering the bar for customer service. Although they brand themselves as a luxury rental company, you can expect bug infestations, repeated unscheduled and unannounced maintenance intrusions, awful repairs, leaks, stolen packages, poor record-keeping, and general mismanagement to an extent that will astound you. Whenever you think they've hit a rock bottom in terms of treatment of their tenants, they find new ways to surprise you. A despicable organization overall. If I had to do it all over again, I'd rather live in Cabrini-Green. read more

I've lived at a CHR property for several years now and I would encourage anyone to think long and hard before living at a property. Setting your money on fire might be a better life decision than renting at CHR. If you like making maintenance requests or living in a construction site, it may be the place for you! In about the last 6 months I've had the following issues: mold in my son's room requiring wall replacement, numerous mice complaints (at least 3 in 6 months) in which CHR did not appropriately remedy the issue and my boyfriend ultimately located where the mice were entering, water leak from unit above with water pouring into my bathroom, water damage in another wall, numerous rats in parking lot bc dumpsters overfill/ or residents don't put trash in them and no one picks up trash, fire alarms go off constantly for no apparent reason, 2 separate roof leaks with water flooding main hallways, never any hot water when needed- this doesn't even include everything. CHR's response is to pretty much indicate these are somehow unforeseen maintenance issues (or I don't know..it could be that they don't appropriately maintain buildings that are 60 plus years old) and to even have the audacity to raise rent. The customer service is god awful at best. Yes, they send someone to make repairs, but then another issue arises nearly immediately for something else. read more

Beware!! After seeing an ad for a one bedroom furnished on Craigslist for $1250, I emailed the address and was told I had to make a deposit of $1450 before even viewing the place. Also there were English grammar and punctuation mistakes in the emails. If that isn't a scam, I don't know what is. read more

These people make money out of you, by doing nothing to keep up their apartments and really expensive. I was new to Brookline so I did not know what I was gettiong into. I got an apartment at 70 saint paul street, first they coned me by saying that is in one particular school zone and conveniently forgot to mention that it is a buffer zone, so my 9 year old went to one school and attended after school in another school by walking everyday back and forth. More about the apt, it is a very good place for an entomologist who wants to live among insects and rodents. I saw some kind of insects that I have never seen before. Their management guy was prompt is responding, but he could not realy get rid of these creatures. To top it all my daughters room was like a furnace due to the boiler room just below the room, which also they never mention to you. She slept in my room the entire time we lived there. The icing on the cake is that their snow truck hit my car and made a dent, I called the office they would not do anything about it. Being a single mom and in a new place my hands were full and so I did not pursue it. I am happy now, moved to a much NICER and CHEAPER place and out of nightmare, so beaware! read more