Copley Manor In Mount Airy

Located just a few blocks from the Southern section of Fairmount Park, Copley Manor is one of those little complexes that has a lot going for it. The location can’t be beat with easy park access as well as public transportation. It is within biking distance of Philadelphia University and within walking distance of the shopping all along Germantown Avenue. It’s a great find in Mount Airy rentals.

Mount Airy is one of the most diverse and harmonious neighborhoods in all of Philadelphia. It’s quiet, it’s nice, and it is easy living all within easy distance of the City Center.

Renovated Old Style Building

Copley Manor has undergone a fair amount of renovations recently, and its apartments are now very nice. The exterior is a well-executed update of an older building, which has had modern bay windows installed. The result is a good looking building with the larger rooms one expects from older Mount Airy apartment buildings.

The kitchens are all stainless steel appliances and even the studio apartments are very roomy. While these Mount Airy apartments don’t come with an in unit washer/dryer, the building does maintain a number of big laundry rooms on the property. The buildings are secured with buzzer system entry ways and it feels very safe overall.

For dog owners, it does allow pets and they even provide a dog play area in one of the courtyards. The other outdoor areas are nicely landscaped and are great for summer reading in the sun. You’ll find plenty of on property parking, but the best deal about Copley Manor is that heat is included in the rent. On top of reasonable rents starting at $695 for a studio and $895 for one-bedrooms, it makes a tight budget easier to manage.

What Tenants Say About Copley Manor

Since the completion of renovations, most all tenants who have reviewed Copley Manor have given the complex favorable ratings. The parking can be touchy at times, but as more and more tenants forego owning a car, that, too is sorting itself out. It is thought that the staff is attentive and works at maintaining the building well. These apartments are not high end luxury apartments, but they are well kept and spacious, and are a great place to build a home.

The complex is in a neighborhood of mixed single-family homes some of which are older mansion type structures, and the area offers great diversity. Most agree that the value of these Mount Airy rentals is very good, and that the neighborhood offers tree lined streets and quiet makes them even more attractive. It’s difficult to go wrong in looking at the area and Copley Manor specifically if this is the type apartment you want.

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The Two Faces Of Mount Airy

In the Northwest section of Philadelphia, the little area of Mount Airy sits. Its boundaries are often confused with Germantown, its immediate neighbor to the south, but it is a gem of an area all on its own. Nestled between its more well-known neighbors and the massive Fairmount Park, Mount Airy rentals are some of the best in the city at affordable prices.

Mount Airy is all about diversity. It’s found in the very complexion of the neighborhood. It’s all about various economic means, ethnic backgrounds and all ages. It makes for a great mix too.

An Estate Named Mount Airy

Mount Airy was created by a successful merchant and judge in the mid 1750s as his summer home. Nearby Germantown was an area where German settlers acquired rights to land to homestead, and it wasn’t until the late 19th Century and early 20th that Mount Airy started to develop. In those days, it was composed of large, three story houses and mansions, and many still exist on some of the neighborhoods tree lined streets. Whether you opt for a Mount Airy apartment or can afford a house, it’s a terrific neighborhood for families and singles.

Perhaps because of so many immigrants living in the area, Mount Airy is well known for being one of he first successfully integrated communities in the country. Even with the vast ethnic mix it has today, it has been recognized by everyone from Oprah to U.S. News & World Reports for its racial harmony. It now has a significant gay population and a significant Jewish community too.

Affluence And Affordability

Mount Airy is divided into East and West, and the closer the neighborhood gets to Fairmount Park, the more expensive and upscale it becomes. But, that is the general consensus and there are counter examples everywhere you look. Most of the local shopping is along Germantown Avenue and consists of small, independent stores with the odd chain store thrown in here and there. For major shopping, King of Prussia is only twenty minutes drive, but virtually all necessities can be found locally.

There are numerous, well-ranked public schools in Mount Airy including two charter schools, and private schools are in abundance. This may, in part, stem from some of the area’s demographics. It is often called the ‘PhD ghetto’ because so many of its residents have advanced degrees. It’s politically liberal and has a great tradition of quiet activism.

Diversity in Rent Prices

If you’ve got a fat wallet or have a family, the Western portion of Mount Airy is where you find houses with lawns. It’s attractive albeit expensive and very popular for those with children. It’s safe, kids ride bikes to school, and have the massive Fairmount Park for ball games and playgrounds. The Eastern section is largely working class with great mid-rise style apartment buildings of all ages. Considering that either area has a small town feel, and that it is only a twenty minute SEPTA ride to City Center, makes Mount Airy rentals very popular.

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Workouts In The Sky At 1500 Locust

1500 Locust is an award winning building that is also a great community, and it is just steps from the famous Rittenhouse Square. Considered part of this famous area, the building is one of the contemporary high rises so easily noticed near the park. As new as it is, it is undergoing major renovations, and that means it is likely to be an even better Rittenhouse Square rental than before, and it has always been a good one.

Unique High Rise Community

This building follows some of the same concepts as large buildings in New York City and Chicago have employed. The idea is to create a great living environment and to give residents the option of having a social life within the building with other residents. These new additions are destined to make 1500 Locust one of the premier party buildings in Rittenhouse Square rentals.

The developer has done extensive construction and renovation to provide a roof top swimming pool, which is enclosed so it’s great even on snowy nights. Hit the sundeck during warmer weather, and it is all on the 45th floor. Beyond the enormous fitness center, the gym is complete with classes and even dance workouts. There are recreation rooms with full sized pool tables, and a special residents’ only club on the 45th floor. That one is a huge bonus for those who work at home, and want to get out of their apartment and work online. There’s free wireless internet and plenty of room to spread out and work.

The Price Of Community Living

1500 Locust is in the medium to high range for Rittenhouse Square apartments. Expect studios to start out at $1300 and go up to almost $4000 for large two bedroom models. Of course, they all come equipped to the max, which helps. They all have washer/dryers, some have private balconies, the kitchens are new and very modern with granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Baths and kitchens have venting systems, and they come with some window treatments.

The building has added energy saving features, and its A/C has individual controlling abilities too. That can count for a lot! There is a parking garage, which costs extra, but if you are determined to own a car, this can also be a major plus when searching for a new place.

1500 Locust is likely to be the type of building that once you move into, you’ll stay. The location is so fantastic – just steps from the Theatre District, amazing retail shops and public transportation – that you won’t want to leave. And, if living in a high rise that also offers the feeling of a real community, you’ll make some lasting friends there too. This Rittenhouse Square rental building is managed by one of the city’s best property management groups, who always maintains high standards.

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Old World Charm At The Chatham

The Chatham is one of those classic pre-war Rittenhouse Square apartment buildings that you walk past and wished you lived in. It is a rental building and has some of the most interesting apartments in he neighborhood. Long on architectural details yet a great value for the rental prices, it is well worth looking at if you are interested in this special area of Philadelphia.

Architectural Interest

One of the most interesting aspects of the Rittenhouse Square rental market is that you have extreme choices. The ultra-contemporary highrises have their allure but if you prefer some distinction, The Chatham does offer it. The building was constructed when there was still much to be said for individual craftsmanship, and it is definitely seen in this building. The hardwood floors have interesting and intricate patterns, the exterior stonework is ornate and handsome, and there’s simply refinement of details to be seen everywhere in the building.

You’ll find traditionally high ceilings and large windows which, if you’re lucky, look out over the park. These apartments have classic layouts with small to normal sized rooms for the area. Since this is an older building, it isn’t common to find washer/dryers within the apartment, but the The Chatham maintains laundry facilities in the basement.

Trade Offs in The Chatham

When renting an apartment in The Chatham, you are definitely trading some of the more modern features for architectural interest. Think of it as trading plain cookie cutter style design for details that you find interesting for decorative reasons. You won’t find a parking garage, but around Rittenhouse few ever need a car since public transportation and taxis are so readily available. The location alone is worth so much. The Chatham is just two blocks from the main business district and near all of the fantastic shopping on Walnut Street and Liberty Place.

While the kitchens aren’t slick and modern, they are good, functional and have the same old charm as the building. Besides, with so many amazing restaurants and entertainment venues nearby, you might not be eating in that much anyway. Many spend the time they don’t have to commute in the local coffee houses and bars. Now, that’s a nice trade off!

Rental Prices At The Chatham

Philadelphia rental prices are competitive once again, and The Chatham is no different. Studios start at around $1025 and rents increase to a minimum of $1650 for a two bedroom. The positive side of these rents is that all utilities are included, which makes a monthly budget easier to cope with. The apartments are spacious and elegant, and the address here is unbeatable!

A Rittenhouse Square apartment is one of the most sought after in the city, and if you’re in the market, The Chatham bears a good look. It’s located at 135 S 20th . Expect the usual application fee plus a proof of income for this building.

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Rittenhouse Square Apartments And History

Rittenhouse Square has long been one of the most famous of Philadelphia neighborhoods. It’s as steeped in history as a residential area as the Liberty Bell is in American culture. Built as one of the five original open space parks by William Penn, the park itself is two block square and is the focal point of one of the most upscale areas in the city.

Rittenhouse Square apartments come in all shapes and forms from high rises to historical low rises, and there is no better address in the city.

Rural Turned Urban History

The area where Rittenhouse Square is located today was once a rural setting. The first person to erect one of the large town houses on the park front was a politician and merchant, and it was he who set the standard for the future development around the Square. Today, these private homes are gone. Of the ones that still exist from those days in the mid-1800s, they have been converted into apartments. In the place of others, there are quality high rise buildings which maintain the same mark of prestige.

In the area surrounding the park, one finds historic buildings such as churches — St. Mark’s, Holy Trinity and 10th Presbyterian – along with many of the city’s private clubs – Cosmopolitan, Plays and Players and the Print Club. These buildings mix with the new ones to give Rittenhouse Square and the neighboring streets a feel of history and importance. When William Penn designed the park, he could have had no idea of what it would become today.

Modern Rittenhouse Square

A Rittenhouse Square apartment today means not only having a great address but also means living in the center of Philadelphia life. The area is home to many of the city’s finest cultural institutions, which includes the Curtis Institute of Music, the Rosenbach Museum and Library and the University of Arts just to name a few. The shopping is some of the best anywhere and ranges from high end department stores to exclusive boutiques. You share the park and the streets with tourists and office workers. The area has many nearby large office complexes and two five star hotels. And if there’s ever an urge to leave the immediate neighborhood, public transportation is right outside your door.

Rittenhouse Square Rental Prices

This kind of Philadelphia apartment does not come inexpensively. You’ll pay at least $1500 for a small studio and the rents skyrocket from there for larger units. But, if you consider that you are living in one of the most walkable and popular areas of Philadelphia, the prices stand to reason. It’s chic, it’s sleek and there are choices from pre-war to ultra-modern and contemporary glass high rises. This neighborhood is something to aspire to if you consider yourself upwardly mobile, or if you’ve already got everything else that you want in life. It’s grand!

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Philadelphia Rentals in Uptown Logan

This northern neighborhood was once a part of a plantation and is considered one of the first suburban communities of the city. It is located around the intersection of Broad Street and Lindley Avenue and is bordered on one side by Hunting Park and Germantown to another.

Once home to mayors, professionals and more upper class than working class, it is an area of big houses, lovely architecture and homes where there are small front yards.
It is one of those places who great days is in the past yet a place where it is easy to sense that there is a good future too.

Early Suburbia, Modern Inner City

Logan is one of those great examples of a changing big city. Once big houses or mansions, it is now one of those places which is temporarily off the Philadelphia rental radar, but that won’t last. It is a dignified area having survived the flight of the wealthy, a portion of it being closed down in the 80s for contamination, and the economic change that many closer in neighborhoods lived through. Now, it is possible to find a fantastic Philadelphia rental in one of these detached or semi-detached homes and enjoy a near forgotten area.

It was one of the earliest areas to have the benefits of modern mass transit with street cars and bus routes, and those still exist making access to Center City very accessible.
Its historic district houses some of the city’s best architecture, and that it is still affordable is the best news.

African-American Diversity

The area has a population of about 5500 people, 82% of which are African Americans mixed with Latinos and whites. The schools are good and it has one of the best hospitals in the city, Albert Einstein Medical Center.

Shopping is located along Broad Street in the area that parallels the Old York Road and is good. Restaurants and bars are beginning to attract more upscale patrons just as the neighborhood is. Logan has endured its share of rough years. There are still a few derelict buildings and the area is affected by a certain amount of crime but that is slowly coming to an end. Housing prices are low and for those who like being under the radar for the time being, it’s perfect. Philadelphia rentals here are big, low priced and ready to be gentrified. The same style apartment and architecture is mirrored around the University area, and it is double the price if not more.

It’s necessary to take transportation to get to entertainment venues and into the Center City area, but there are trade-offs making it worth the effort. Logan rentals are for the adventurous right now, but consider that you’re getting in on the beginning of an area’s come back. It’s simply too nice of an area to remain in semi-ruins and those who move there now have a distinct leg up for the future.

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Philadelphia Rentals With Utilities Included

As a one property or small holdings landlord of a Philadelphia apartment, it may be easier to keep the utilities in your own name rather than have the tenants pay them in the traditional manner. This means that aside from the rent, you bill the tenant for reimbursement of those utilities. Most leases will provide for this by giving the tenant a specific time period in which they must make payment.

What happens if the tenant is consistently late in payment of these charges or if they stop paying them altogether? It can be a problem for the landlord, who has not provided for it in the lease agreement.

Utilities and Lease Clauses

It is one of the biggest reasons that freebie online lease agreements don’t work as well as they should. They just can’t provide for the personalization that has to be made on smaller Philadelphia rental units. Even though the lease itself may allow the tenant a set number of days to pay, it will probably omit what happens with late fees and the time it takes you to retrieve money from the tenant.

If there is a need to charge late fees to the tenant or to attempt to recoup your time and effort, then it has to be included in the lease agreement. Otherwise, you are adding something that the tenant would be unaware of. You can attempt to simply write to the tenant and request that more timely payments be made, and often that will work by itself. But if you need to reassess the situation and make it more official, then by all means do so.

Changing A Lease

Every tenant has the right to written notice if his or her lease is to change in Philadelphia rentals, and if you want to incorporate additional fees, you must do this. Thirty days notice is usually ample and in the letter you can state exactly what changes are to take place. For instance, if you want to charge $5 per day for late utility payments, in the letter is the time to say it.

This is an area where novice landlords can especially not foresee problems, and if you write it into the original lease, you are in a much better position than adding it at a later date. The utility charges and payments reflect on your credit report and it is important to keep it timely and accurate.

Most landlords allow a grace period for payment of rents. It’s usually five days and the same should be extended for utility payments made to you. Keep your demands reasonable and the fees for handling the late charges reasonable, but also fair to you. Most tenants will understand. If not, and the late payments continue, you may have grounds for eviction, but that’s a costly and timely road to take. Getting it in the lease upfront is the optimal situation but adding it later can be just as effective.

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How Secure Is Your Philadelphia Rental Property?

This is precisely the question that many Philadelphia property owners and landlords must ask themselves these days. Because the economy is still tough, many have let some repair work and security maintenance issues slide a little, but that can be a dangerous area to allow deterioration.

Inadequate security was recently the focal point of a lawsuit where a tenant received millions of dollars in damages as a result of landlord negligence.

Assuring Adequate Security

Maybe it is too easy to forget about the front door lock that sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. Maybe it is inconvenient to meet a repairman to rework the entrance gate that won’t close on its own. Maybe it’s too much trouble to sort out tenants who allow unsavory people into the building on a frequent basis. You’ll be thinking again if there’s ever an incident which takes you to court because of such inactions.

This is what happened to the Philadelphia rental manager in the above court case. A young couple were shot and killed in their apartment by an unknown intruder, and their estate filed a claim against the landlord and won damages. In the case, it was proven that the building management had ignored requests to repair a front gate and that other crimes had been committed on the property before the fatal shooting. The management company lost the battle and were considered at fault.

Making Security Work

It is necessary to monitor front door locks, gates and other entrances for your buildings and to ensure that they work – all the time. If there are problems, which will take more than a day or so to resolve, it is also necessary to make tenants aware that there is a problem so they can be more vigilant.

When a problem can’t be resolved, it also may be necessary to post a security guard on premises until there is adequate repair and resolution. Yes, this seems expensive, but if your negligence ends up costing you millions, it will have seemed a financial bargain and an emotional godsend. During rough economic times, it seems sensible to let the most minor repair work go – at least for a while – but security isn’t one of those areas. Intruders and criminals are also hard up for money, and it is then that security must be its tightest.

Be Open With Tenants

If tenants have voiced security concerns, listen to them and make an attempt to rectify the situation. On the other hand, if you know repairs need to be made and they can’t happen immediately, talk to or write to the tenants letting them know the problem and when it will be made right again. It will keep them up to date on issues and also will allow them to keep their eyes and ears open just in case. Security is there for real reasons and any breach should be transparent to everyone in the building.

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Need Help With Heating In Your Philly Apartment?

Winter is here, and times are still tough for many. Philadelphia apartment and home heating bills can mount up, and the winter months can often mean that tenants are living in cold conditions. PECO does offer assistance and if you are having a tough time paying your heating or electric bills, there’s some assistance you can apply for.

LIHEAP Grants Are Available

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federal program designed to help those who lack enough funding to pay their electric, natural gas or other energy bills. Even renters are eligible for grants, and rather than freeze, apply for one.

LIHEAP grants work this way. You apply for the grant and if accepted, the program pays your service provider directly. Up to $1000 can be used to either pay past bills or current ones. There’s also money allocated for repairing pipes and broken furnaces as well as re-instating service that has been cut off due to non-payment. Even though, there are caps on the money allotted, it will get your heat back on and give you a breather from a payment or two. They’ve tried to streamline the paperwork so that processing it doesn’t waste valuable – and cold – waiting time to receive funding.

How PECO Helps

PECO has a number of programs designed to help those whose income is suffering. By checking the PECO site, you’ll find about five different ways they offer to help. There are many different organizations which network with them and will offer solutions like matching grants, reduction of rates for lower income tenants and more. There are even programs for those who need just temporary help with heating and electric services. Whether your situation is long term because of lack of employment or whether you’ve had emergencies that have sapped your financial resources, ask them what they can do to help.

Even payment arrangements can sometimes help, and those are available as well. PECO will work with any tenant in order to make sure you are safe and warm during the winter months. And while you’re there, you can sign up to receive freebies like light bulbs and other giveaways.

Additional Assistance

The many tenant organizations in the Philadelphia rental market also offer assistance when times are tough. It just means doing a little asking around and then contacting them. No one wants anyone to suffer the cold when it isn’t necessary, and they are there to help. If you know that your finances are suffering, don’t wait until the heat goes off to apply. Search now and go ahead an put in an application for help. It may just keep the heat on, and keep you and your family comfortable through these long wintry months ahead.

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When Your Landlord Wants You Out Of Your Philadelphia Apartment

It doesn’t happen often, but when you suddenly hear from the landlord or your building manager that they like you to leave your Philadelphia rental, it comes as a shock. There are cases where there is no eviction nor any reason given at all and you have plenty of time left on your lease.

When something like this comes from seeming nowhere, you start to ask yourself questions and then you ask them of others.

What Are The Landlord’s Reasons

You may never find out the real reason the landlord wants you out. That’s a fact because they don’t have to give you one. He may want it for a family member or he might want to combine two Philadelphia rentals into one larger one. You can ask, but don’t be surprised if you don’t get an answer either. The bottom line is that you have to make decisions, and stick with them. Obviously, if there’s been no infraction against your lease, the landlord can’t evict you. He can wait until your lease expires and refuse to renew it, but otherwise there’s nothing legal he or she can do to you.

If you love your apartment, you can continue to enjoy it at least until the end of your lease. Any landlord harassment as an inducement to get you to leave earlier is illegal, and you can fight it in court. That said, it does make life unpleasant enough that you may want to reconsider moving.

When the Landlord Will Pay You To Leave

If, for whatever reason he has, the landlord really wants you out, he may offer you some financial incentives to move. Consider them carefully and then negotiate. The ball is definitely in your court on this one. Depending on how long you have on your lease, and how quickly they want you out, it all boils down to how much they are willing to pay you to do so.

It isn’t unusual to be given a free months rent and then a large cash sum in return for moving. The longer you take to decide, the less the amount maybe so quickly calculate how much it would take to go out and find a new place. Usually, the cash sum would pay for the move plus all the security deposits and upfront rent required in a new Philadelphia apartment. The amount you ultimately receive is all in the negotiation.

The bad news is that you’ll have to pay tax on the lump sum. It’s a capital gains, and is taxed at a rate of 15% currently. You’ll want to factor that into the negotiation as well. No one likes moving especially when they’re happy where they are so it is a time to think of how much it would take to make the move – and happily so!

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