According to their website, GEM Property Management Group, LLC (or GEM Management Partners LLC as their letterhead prefers) is "a real estate investment and property management company specializing in multi-family residential properties located in Westchester County."
They own a number of properties throughout Yonkers, including 161-171 Radford Street and 461 Riverdale Avenue (among others). As a long-time tenant, I am quite dismayed over the mismanagement of one of their buildings, where I have been a happy tenant for about 15 years. They have only owned the building for 6 years, and so I have experience of it before and during their ownership.
Some issues:
1) Under their management one building has been issued violations and citations by numerous agencies and bodies, including the Yonkers Fire Department and the Westchester County Board of Health (for lead paint in the common areas).
2) Bedbugs have been a persistent problem in building(s).
3) There was a major structural fire - a suspected arson - at one of their buildings in January 2014. Repairs have not been made and residents are still displaced as of the time of this review.
4) Vagrancy, drug dealing, and loitering have been persistent problems in at least one building under their "management."
5) Rent-stabilized tenants feel that they are being targeted indirectly (and in some cases directly) in order for them to vacate their apartments, which would allow for rents to double in some cases.
6) There is insufficient heat in the winter (according to Yonkers regulations), and complaints are made regularly to the appropriate city agency.
7) Surveillance equipment has been installed but tenants feel as if they are constantly being monitored (e.g. computer-controlled keyless entry system with logs under Management control, cameras at each entry/exit point, etc.). They have done nothing to improve safety.
In short, as a long-time resident, I would advise anyone who is considering renting in one of their properties to think twice. read more