I moved into a garden-level (basement) unit managed by GC Realty & Development in October 2025…read more While maintenance requests were generally responded to quickly, many of the underlying issues were never properly resolved, resulting in repeated problems throughout my tenancy.
Within the first few weeks of moving in, my apartment flooded. Maintenance responded, but the issue was never fully corrected, and the unit flooded two additional times within the same year. During one incident, a plumber attempted to rod the sewer line, but a City of Chicago employee who responded advised that the equipment being used was too small for the job. This information was reported to management, but no additional action appeared to be taken.
During severe storms in the spring and summer of 2026, the building lost power for approximately a day and a half. Because the sump pumps were electrically powered and no backup battery system had been installed, I was unable to use the bathroom facilities and had to leave the apartment. The lack of a backup system created significant inconvenience and concern.
The unit also experienced multiple water intrusion issues. Water leaked into the rear of the apartment, and I was informed there was a large hole in the roof that had not been repaired. As a result, water stains developed in several areas of the unit, including the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Additional leaks from an upstairs unit caused water damage in my bathroom and kitchen. There were electrical outlets located near some of the areas affected by water intrusion, which raised safety concerns.
The apartment contained a whirlpool bathtub, but the jets did not function because they had been disabled. The tub itself was stained and unusable for its intended purpose. Many fixtures and building systems appeared outdated, including the HVAC system. An inspector who visited before the building was sold confirmed that airflow throughout the apartment was inconsistent due to the age of the system. Certain rooms remained cold in the winter and difficult to cool during the summer. Also to mention the windows has not been updated since the building has been built (2009). The outside of the windows is rotting out at the bottom. They put cauking on the outside to stop the draft instead of replacing the whole thing.
The property's exterior also presented concerns. The front metal staircase and rear porch exhibited extensive rust. Rather than replacing the entire structure, only the walking surface panels were replaced. Residents reported concerns about the condition of these structures. Additionally, the electric gate serving the rear parking area stopped functioning and remained unresolved despite being reported.
Approximately three to four months after moving in, the slats on a utility closet bi-fold door began falling out. I submitted a maintenance request asking that the door be repaired or replaced. Instead, GC Realty & Development charged my account $466 for a replacement door, alleging tenant-caused damage. When I requested proof that I had damaged the door, no evidence was provided. The only photographs supplied were prior move-in photos. I disputed the charge because I believed the issue resulted from normal wear and tear rather than tenant negligence.
Another concern involved communication and tenant relations. It was often difficult to reach anyone with decision-making authority. Communication generally occurred through lower-level staff, and obtaining responses from supervisors or management was challenging. The property owners themselves did not directly communicate with tenants.
Despite the unresolved maintenance issues throughout the property, GC Realty & Development attempted to increase my rent by approximately $120, mind you I'm already paying $1,980 for a garden apartment. Around the same time, my online rent payment portal was disabled because I disputed the $466 door charge. I have maintained stable employment for over 13 years and have consistently paid rent on time. August 2026 was the first month in which I was unable to make a payment, solely because access to the payment portal had been restricted.
After the building was sold, I was informed by the new management that GC Realty & Development had recommended not renewing my lease, allegedly due to unpaid rent. However, the outstanding balance was directly related to the disputed charge and the disabled payment portal. Prior to this situation, I had no history of late rent payments during my tenancy.
Overall, my experience with GC Realty & Development was disappointing. While maintenance requests were often acknowledged, recurring flooding, water damage, unresolved building issues, disputed charges, communication difficulties, and payment-related disputes created an ongoing pattern of frustration. Based on my personal experience, I would not recommend renting a property managed by GC Realty & Development.
The Owners should be ashamed as well!! NISON & IRENA
