I'm copying and pasting my google review onto here just incase they try to delete it: They take short cuts, over charge, and put bandaids on problems. Their 2.9 rating is accurate. Also the person who gave them 5 stars Schneider S--he's their employee. That should tell you the type of people they are. There was a bug infestation in my apartment. MULTIPLE TYPES OF INSECTS. On average I saw 5-10 different types a day. THATS NOT NORMAL. After re caulking the floors and using bug spray they bought at the store they stopped answering my requests. An exterminator was never sent. Around May/June towards the end of my lease they started ignoring me. And that was for any maintenance request I made. I also called and they would tell me they were going to send someone out and they never did. My lease was up July 31st. The owner sent over his friends to fix the broken hvac system. And when of course they didn't fix it, they stopped coming to try. Instead sent over an ac without telling me in advance and without my permission. Causing my electric bill and usage to sky rocket. Their response to this was that I didn't have to use the ac, they did the best they could, and lied and said they attempted to enter the property but I wouldn't let them in. This wasn't the first time the system broke, it broke at the beginning of the lease. They did the same thing, sent friends, but that time they gave me warning that they would give me an ac so I told them no I didn't want one. I wanted you to fix the air. They managed to fix it the first time it broke but not the second time. And of course it wouldn't work during the hottest time of the year. Would enter the apartment without me there or telling me in advance for tours when I told them I didn't want to renew my lease. People would show up at my doorstep--not even outside/ at the building door. They would be fully upstairs in front of my apartment door. And the owner would send over a maintenance man to unlock the door if I didn't answer or wasn't there. Tried to trap me in a lease renewal and told me that my lease already renewed when I never signed anything. When I was assaulted by the second floor neighbor who STILL LIVES THERE a WEEK after I moved in, I tried to leave and break my lease. The person Michael--who doesn't work there anymore, told me that I needed to pay $850 to break the lease which is absolutely false and not legal. But I didn't know that until it was too late. The owner and multiple people on the team were made aware of the situation and did not do anything to accommodate. They held my security deposit until the 29th day after move out and repeatedly told me that they wouldn't give it to me until the 30th day. Even though someone moved into my apartment DAYS after I left. Schneider told me that it's their policy to give the deposit 30 days after move out. The company is fully aware of tenant laws which is why they do this. After the 30th day it's unlawful. And I can't help but say it again--this is a direct reflection of how they run their company. Giving the deposit back on the very last possible day they can. And they tried to take $700 out from it. Some reasonings like a cleaning fee was understandable but $300 for a trash removal when all they had to do was put a single chair on the curb because trash day was the following morning. And $100 a day every day your key isn't returned. Their fees are ridiculous and outrageous. This sham of an agency is ran by family members who have little to no knowledge of how real estate works. They do not run their business fairly. Their best interest is not accommodating the tenant, not providing homes-- it is making money. I've never been so disrespected by a company. And the fact that these grown adult people feel comfortable lying and scheming is insane to me. They are in a field that directly affects peoples livelihood and don't care as long as they are getting paid. It would be much easier to just have integrity and to properly run your business than to take any possible short cut that ends up depreciating property value. It leaves continuous unhappy and unsatisfied customers who don't want to stay for longer than a year. Acting the way they do shows a lack of intelligence. read more

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When I first moved to Philadelphia, I was staying with a friend, until I saved money to move. Another formed suggested that I check out Gioconda property. I have to admit, four years later, that I haven't been disappointed. it's a family business, that's close knit and they treat tenants with respect. If anything is needed to be fixed, they address it immediately. I'll likely be extending my lease another year. Great place and a great Management! Anthony Steele read more

PLEADE AVOID AT ALL COST! The worst property company of all time. They own super old apartment buildings that seemed cheaper comparing to the buildings around it. But please be aware that it's cheap for a reason. EVERYTHING BREAKS and they don't fix shit for you. Our door bell when we moved it was guaranteed to be fixed and a year later it's still broken. The front door was broken with no security anyone can walk in for 3 months. After the door was fixed, they didn't communicate w USPS so our letters were just scattered on the floor. I have had rat issues, heater broken during the winter and wasn't fixed till three days later, the upstair neighbor's garbage disposal broke and got to mine and my ceiling cracked, water and dirt came out of the sink. No one lives there for over one contract beside the cigarette smoking person living below me. They let the person smoke indoor, so my apartment and closet gets the smoke coming out of that apartment. It's just disgusting. No one in the company tried to actually fix any problems. I felt bad for that one maintainance guy cuz he gets sent to do every single fix that's clearly out of his control. The basement that has the washer and dryer is def a joke. There's trash everywhere, I had to do laundry at a laundrymat. At least it's cleaner and don't smell like garbage. The apartment was a dirt ground when I moved it, I cleaned it before i left and they still charged me $375 for cleaning fee. WHAT A BARGAIN FOR THEM. They probably didn't clean for the next tenant and still got the $375 from my deposit. EVERYTHING IS A SCAM read more

La Gioconda - Upstairs garbage disposal broke and got my ceiling cracked and my sink overflowing - Apartments Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Absolutely horrible company to rent from. They are rude, unprofessional, and don't fix anything or upkeep anything. My windows in my apartment were broken for the 3 years I lived there and I asked countless times for them to be fixed, never happened. There is an insane amount of code violations that they could care less about. Painters tape in electrical fixtures, dryers not vented properly or ever cleaned out. The bath fans in the bathroom don't even vent out to anywhere. So there is TONS of mold in the bathroom. I had to replace the air conditioner myself because it was literally so disgusting it was making me and my family sick. They are all just money hungry slum lords. Almost every tenant in my building would agree. BEWARE renting from here. Flat out awful place to live. read more

Solid company. Always handled everything I've needed them to since I've been here. I would certainly recommend them to anyone looking for a decent place with friendly and helpful staff in the office. read more

Choosing to rent here was the worst decision of my entire life. In my bedroom, there was a door that functioned as a fire escape. The door was incorrectly sealed, and there was a huge gap at the bottom, meaning that bugs (especially ants) would come in. I don't just mean a couple, I mean HUNDREDS of ants. After many, many maintenance requests about the ants and asking for the door to be made weatherproof / sealed to the outdoors (which were marked complete but never actually completed), I had to spray for ants and purchase a temporary door guard myself. Furthermore, when they said an exterminator would be coming for "monthly service" (which had never happened before), the exterminator never showed up. All of the terrible maintenance and response time was something I dealt with, but now, even after moving out, I can't escape this company. I moved out on June 1st (almost 2 months ago) and STILL have not received my security deposit back. The new property manager, Ivonne, has told me on two separate occasions that a check would be sent to me the next day. A few weeks after each time, I emailed to follow up since I obviously never was sent a check. Those emails were totally ignored! I do not recommend renting with this company. It has been one of the biggest ongoing headaches of my life. I had a perfectly pleasant experience when Victoria was property manager, but unless you want to deal with ignored emails, rejected calls, having to sue for your security deposit back, etc, living here is not a good idea. read more

My husband and I were renters here for 3 years. We needed a place to stay quickly as we were moving right before our wedding. We were offered the place at a bit of a discount so we took it. All in all I loved our apartment. It was a nice space with great location. In the past 3 years there have been a number of issues that we experienced. Trash not being taken out by other attendants, dirty hallways, repairs not getting fixed for weeks. One time there was even vomit in our hallway for 3 ENTIRE DAYS in August. We called to complain and it took them 3 days to clean it up. Absolutely disgusting. We recently moved out and are STILL Waiting for either our security deposit back or a written notice as to why we aren't getting it back. We have told them that we know our rights and since it is past the 30 day period we are actually entitled to double. We wouldn't pursue that if they would just give us the money owed to us. Needless to say it looks like we have to take legal action. I would be very cautious of renting from them. It takes them forever to get things done and apparently don't like giving deposits back. read more

I rented 2 different properties from them. Maybe it helps that i was on a first name basis with everyone, INCLUDING the workers, paid my rent on time, and treated them as human beings seeing as how many idiot and irresponsible tenants they have to deal with on a daily basis. I alerted them of tenants being leaving large amounts of trash on the sidewalk on non-trash-days that would cause the building (and everyone in it) to be fined, dog feces from irresponsible dog owners, and alerted them of various serious damage tenants caused inside and outside of the buildings (kicking in doors, holes in the wall, infestations, unreported leaks causing water damage). I think they appreciated this as they always came running within 20 minutes of something I needed in my apartment, or treatments, a new fridge, including helping me out changing out light bulbs in a really high ceiling lamp if they happened to be in the area, and always helped me out with my moves, accommodating prices, and found me a new place without problem when i needed a first floor for me and my senior dog. I've bounced around from city to city and in this city over 10 times. I've dealt with some scummy landlords and private landlords who would take all of my deposit for no reason for over 20 years - I stayed the longest, over 4 years, with these guys in all of my moving around. They gave my deposit back within weeks of me moving out and finally owning my own property. No one ever has time to write a good review - so i am doing that now read more

My boyfriend and I have been renting an apartment in Graduate Hospital from La Gioconda for almost one year. I've rented from multiple agencies in the city and I have never experienced such an efficient, attentive company. The property manager, Victoria, always responds to emails within 24hrs and has maintenance resolving any issues in 24-48hrs. I would recommend La Gioconda to anyone looking for affordable, spacious, well-kept housing in the city. read more

I almost rented from them, but just the experience of looking at their apartments was enough to make me not want to have anything to do with them. First I called them, and asked about the property they had on spruce st, they had 2 available apt for $1050 each. When the property manager comes, he is 20 minutes late. The manager tells me that there is only one apartment available, and the price they already told me was wrong it actually is $1200 but since he was late 20 minutes he can go down to $1100 IF I move in within 5 days. The manager also told me about another apt they wanted to show me the day after which I foolishly went to. The manager doesn't show up to that showing, I call them after 20 minutes no answer. With this initial experience with this company I decided to stay away and tell others about my experience. Also, I found their webpage, where the initial apt is listed for $1050 .... The fact that this company still have tenants is a sign on how messed up the rental market is in Philadelphia! read more

If I could I would have given 0 stars. I've been in my building in University City, Philadelphia for two years. I've never had any problems until my old landlords sold the property to this excuse for a company. From the day they took over and started doing unannounced, loud renovations we have had repeated problems. Our bathroom developed a leak which led to water damage. I took pictures, sent emails, and left repeated voice messages. They sent one person out without warning us and he said because they were doing renovations it wouldn't matter. But now our bathroom had developed black mold. Trying to get them to address this serious concern is like pulling teeth. I've even threatened them with legal action, but they couldn't seem to care less. We were moving out anyway, but if we weren't then we'd be getting as far away from these people as fast as we could. They are treating us like squatters in a place where we pay high rent. Do not do business with this company. The way they do business is absolutely unacceptable. read more

Rented a unit for almost two years. Location is awesome, rent is fair but easily the least maintained apartment complex on an historic block. The unit to my left is now a short term rental. Every weekend Is a mini block party which is usually no problem but during the pandemic has been less than ideal. Maintenance wise it's to be expected. Repairs are half assed but that typical of landlords anywhere you go. It's not uncommon to come home to a unit that smells like weed or mildew. I have had 4 water leaks in my bathroom ceiling and came home to maintenance patching a moldy hole in the ceiling instead of removing the mold. Last time maintenance came they left my apartment unlocked with the key still in the deadbolt. The basement is a landfill always full of trash and other tenants old furniture but laundry is cheap. If the hardly efficient dryer doesn't cut it the laundry mat on 10th and pine is good. I have found parking for $250 a month at spruce and juniper or 10th and walnut if you have a vehicle. Parking tags are also an option though spaces are limited. You really can't beat location as lots of cool festivals and restaurants are in walking distance. read more

Awful, rude, and unprofessional! This review is specifically about my interaction with one of the property managers, Victoria, when I tried to see one of their apartments. I had scheduled a meeting with Victoria at 1pm on a Friday. She showed up 20 minutes late to our appointment even though her office is two blocks down the street. When we get to the apartment, her key doesn't even work. At this point I was mildly annoyed but these things happen. So we agreed to meet later that day at 4:30pm. I show up right at 4:30 and waited 15 minutes for her. When she didn't show up I tried to call the office but no one answered the phone (they all presumably went home for the weekend), and she never attempted to call to reschedule or cancel. As they are closed on weekends I had to wait until Monday to call the office again. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but in this case I really should not have. The following Monday morning I call the office and I'm told she's out at a showing so I leave a message with another employee. When she did not return my call that day, I called that Tuesday and left a message with a different employee and the same story! Victoria made absolutely no attempt to reach me. I have never worked with a rental company that has been so difficult to give my business to (or any for profit company for that matter). If it was this difficult to get in touch with the property manager to give them my business, I can only imagine how difficult it would be to get in touch with them for any maintenance requests that I may have had. You've been warned. read more

By far the best living experience I've had in my15 years of renting in Philly. These guys are prompt with the maintainance, friendly, Trustworthy and very easy to deal with. Anytime I had an issue, It was fixed as promised. Can't speak for others but my experience was great. The Property Manager and Aniello are the best!!!! read more

As a current tenant (of 2 years) of La Gioconda Realty, I can only say good things. The building I currently live in is well maintained, dog and cat friendly, renovated and reasonably priced. The management is always friendly, remembers me and my dog's names, and is very quick to respond to maintenance issues ( I called for a water heater issue and it was fixed within 1 hour). They worked with me when I changed my lease to a different apartment within the same building. I highly recommend this company and enjoy living under their management. IF you need more back up, there are plenty of great recent reviews under the reviews not recommended by Yelp section. Not sure why they ended up there, but it offers other experiences people have had with this awesome company! read more

Wish I would have read reviews before renting from them. My roommate and I lost ALL of our deposit money when there was no damage outside of normal wear and tear. They are the worst of Philadelphia. read more

Loved my apartment, lived there for a year and a half, going to miss it when I need to move out. Herbert and Tony have been extremely helpful in finding a replacement when I needed to leave my lease early. Great company! read more

I moved in to one of the apartments on Spruce st last August. The first couple months living there I noticed a leak in the ceiling, which never got fixed. I reminded them every time I paid my rent and emailed them, and still no one came out to look at it. Things broke all the time. I got locked out of my apartment once because the lock on my door was rusty and wouldn't work. I called the office multiple times because I needed to get in my apartment, I had two cats inside. No one came to my apartment for two days. I couldn't get in touch with anyone and if I did all they said was that they will let maintenance know. Towards the last month of my lease there were people coming and looking at the apartment. Every time someone came the maintenance guy opened my door and let them in. No one was showing them around or telling them about the apartment. So whenever someone had questions they would have to ask me. I always tried to not answer the questions because in reality the place was a shit hole and no one should be renting it out. But I told one of the people looking at the apartment that the leak in the ceiling needs to get fixed because they could obviously see it. The next day Victoria texted me blaming me for the new tenants backing out of the deal saying I shouldn't have told anyone about the leak and that I should have mentioned that maintenance always comes and fixes the problem quickly, which is a total lie. She tried telling me I never told her about the leak and all I could do was laugh because I have emails and evidence of me mentioning the leaks. In reality she, or someone who worked there, should've showed the apartment so I wouldn't have to say anything. But it was raining and they could obviously see the leak so I wasn't going to lie. So basically I would not recommend leasing an apartment with these people. They are all rude and don't care about you. Victoria was very rude to me when I was leaving and they ended up taking almost half of my security deposit. read more

My husband and I lived in a La Giaconda apartment for seven years and we had a great experience with the company. Any repair or maintenance issue was addressed right away and the maintenance team led by Aniello was quick and trust worthy. I never thought twice about allowing them to come over whether we were home or not, and they always cleaned up after themselves. When we recently bought our own house they were very flexible with us about our move out date, and Herbie was always easy to reach with last minute changes. He also made sure that we received our security deposit in full right away. read more

I rented an apartment from them for 5 years and had an overall great experience with them. Everyone with the company, from ownership to maintenance staff, was extremely personable and attentive. I recommend them to anyone looking for a fair-priced apartment in the center-city area. read more