Hayes Properties

Hayes has done nothing but improve our building since they took it over. Great management company and very responsive.

This company recently purchased our building. We have only two elevators and one has been out for over 4 weeks and the back up, freight elevator goes down all the time. This is an 18 story building. I was understanding at first, and under old management at least one was always under repair but never this. This management company was silent until residents became so angry that they were writing slander on the «elevator out» sign and until a resident clued them in that not saying anything about having to take 18 flights of stairs to get in and out of your home on and off for weeks was not a good idea. Oh, and our rent went up with the new lease (this happened during the transition and is fairly standard but it’s feeling pretty one sided at this point). Bring back our old management!

Hayes contacted me to explain that their lag in service was due to circumstances beyond their control. There seems to have also been an unknown technical issue that inhibited some of our email communication. Apparently some of our requests had been answered, but confirmation emails weren’t making it to our inboxes.
It seems as though Hayes typically has relatively good service. Both the long-​time tenants in our building and the previous tenant of our place remarked that Hayes had been very responsive. It seems like it’s a small business built from caring people that just struggled to recoup in a very unique situation.
Before the short lag in service, our building manager was very responsive to our concerns:
–They email exchanged with me after hours to give me instructions for a light fixture. This was above and beyond for an unimportant issue
–There were several very good PSAs for our building whenever there was a potential security threat in the neighborhood.
–The dishwasher had been replaced right before we moved in. Our previous tenants said Hayes was very quick to respond.
Within the last month, as we prepared to move out, Hayes was incredibly responsive and respectful. They even offered to help us with a complication from our move as an offer to make up for our brief sour experience.
The apartments are good for their price level. Our location on Diversey had interesting wood work and amenities that were rare for the price-​point. Knowing that Hayes has a legacy of great building management and understanding their recent situation better, I would definitely recommend renting an apartment with Hayes properties.

I have been renting from Hayes Properties for 8 months, and management has been amazing. They responded to all maintenance requests within one business day, and all communications have been professional. Also the rent compared to other units in the area of similar size/​amenities is a steal. Other tenants in my building are friendly, respectful of the common areas, and I have had no noise complaints for anyone (my previous rental had neighbors who partied until 3 am).
When signing my lease last fall, there was a mistake made where an intern doing the showing actually showed me the wrong unit, which is what I signed my lease based on. When discovered, Joe and Molly went above and beyond and actually did remodeling on the available unit to make it like the unit I was accidentally shown. I was extremely impressed as they had no obligation to do that (and it was done within the first week I moved in!)
I have no plans of moving anytime in the near future given the professionalism, timeliness, and courtesy that Hayes Properties has shown me, and I would highly recommend them.

So, my lease has ended with them, and I have moved out. I thought, NOW would be a good time to write a review for them.
I thoroughly enjoyed living in that building. I split a one bedroom with my girlfriend.
The staff (Diane was our main contact) was nice, kept us informed of any/​all issues that were being worked on, anything that was broken/​jacked up, they fixed quickly, the building even though «vintage”-was well maintained. All the staff members I interacted with were nice, whether it was reporting a washer/​dryer that wasn’t working via phone call, the maintenance/​repair guys, they were all friendly and got the job done. I think they replaced the blinds 2 days after we called it in. Fixed a leaking sink within a day or so. Talked me through how to fix the toilet over the phone (my instinct was right… hit the damn thing with a hammer).
The building was nice enough. Our apartment was on the more «vintage» side of the spectrum. A lot of the listings that I have come across use «vintage» as code word for old and probably run down. That building was def old, but was at least maintained. Yeah, the hardwood floors could have used a solid refinish, but for the price, size, and location? I can deal with floors that need refinishing, old windows,
I didn’t notice any bugs or rodents. I looked as I really really hate creepy crawlers.
If you are considering renting from them, check out the building thoroughly. However, I wouldn’t be overly concerned about the quality of staff.

Generally speaking, Hayes Properties has been responsive and attentive to our needs. However, we moved from one building (an older more vintage unit) to a newer building with newer amenities. Hayes has one main contact for each building, like a building manager but not on site.
We moved in under 2 months ago and are still trying to remedy the issues with this apartment. I was told by the building landlord to ‘cool it’ after making another request to fix our leaking sink. The sink wasn’t just leaking but was spilling water onto our floor and soaking all things under the sink. I do not believe we’re being overly annoying but were following up on what was committed to us. They committed to come out the next morning at 830 AM and were a no show until late in the afternoon. I believe it’s the landlords job to make sure the apartment is functional to say the least.
A kitchen sink that’s spilling water onto the floor is not functional.
A HVAC system that is not working is not functional (needed to be fixed 2 times in one month).
A toilet that’s spilling water onto the floor when flushed is not functional.
A window that will not open is not functional.
This is disregarding the aesthetic problems like a fraying carpet, holes and damage to all the walls and leaking bathroom faucets. The landlord doesn’t even see the unit when it’s transitioning from one tenant to another means they never know who damaged what. To add, they never see what condition the former tenants have left the apartment… ours was a pig sty with cat feces and garbage on the floors/​walls.
I HIGHLY recommend living in a building that is managed by Diane if you must live in a Hayes property. Otherwise, don’t bother with these guys… they’re apartments are cheaper than normal for a reason.

My business has rented commercial space from Hayes Properties for years, and we couldn’t ask for a more supportive partner in our growth. Whenever we’ve needed something, they have delivered. Several times in our history we have needed to expand office space, and they’ve taken a genuine interest in making it easy, as well as inexpensive to do so. I haven’t had that experience with other landlords.
We also consistently get compliments about our office space, and that’s a tribute to their efforts to create interesting loft style buildings. I have nothing but positive things to say about Joe and his team.

I love my large room apartment. They are always prompt to my calls for repairs and request. And my heat is included in my rent… what a deal!

I have lived in a wide range of housing types, including a variety of rental situations and over the last 20 years have spent several of them as a Hayes tenant, in different buildings. If I had to rent in Chicago, they would always be my first choice.
Vacancies in their buildings do not last long for good reason. Short of renting from a magical unicorn who makes you snacks on demand, you cannot beat a good professional landlord.
The buildings tend to be earlier 20^th-​century purpose built apartment buildings and the ones I have lived in are extremely clean and kept in great repair. In response to some comments here, most rental buildings, certainly in this price range, are not going to be museum quality restorations, and I have never come across buildings of this age having insulated floors and ceilings, unless they are very high end rehabbed condos. Compared to a converted SFH or a newer building, I find these buildings are very solid. Hardwood floors are going to be noisy, they creak and conduct sound, you need thick rugs. I love the charming older doors, tile and hardware in my apartment, everything works fine.
The things I most appreciate are a quick response to repair requests and tact in enforcing building rules. Molly is a treasure! They are very pet friendly, some buildings accept dogs, which is a bigger risk for a landlord. Best of all, they still respect your personal space. Even the nicest of private landlords can have difficulty letting go their feeling of supervisory ownership of the rental unit, and their neurosis about whatever it is their tenant might be doing in there. «Smaller» private landlords usually don’t share your sense of urgency about «convenience repairs» and most of them, with fewer units, are not bound by the Chicago Landlord & Tenant Ordinance, which governs, amongst other things, when the heat goes on, how and when repairs are made and when they can go into your apartment.
Hayes Properties are not the least expensive but they are excellent value and I think it’s worth paying a little more for professional management and upkeep..

I have never posted a review on Unilocal before, but this company definitely deserves it!
I have lived in one of Hayes Properties buildings for 5 years and had my fair share of issues — one major major issue when I moved in that required me to move out for a week while they resolved the issue. They even paid for the week I had to stay in a hotel while they fixed the issue. Each year I renewed and they made my experience better by fixing/​replacing or even at times upgrading rooms at my request. The rental renewal amounts are very modest compared to any other company I have been a tenant with.
I am really sad to be leaving, but after 5 years need a change of scenery and more light.
The real gold star goes out to Diane who is ultra-​responsive and continually addresses issues as they arise. I am sad to leave this apartment and such a great company, but I HIGHLY recommend them to anyone looking for an apartment.

Hayes Properties took over my property about 4 months in to me living there. I had a horrible landlord prior and welcomed the relief. Molly Arnestein was the sweetest most caring woman to deal with. She was totally understanding and worked will all requests. The rent was a little steep but they are a company that will definitely take care of you.
I work for another property management company and I would still highly recommend Hayes Properties.

I cannot BELIEVE that when I called the phone number on the washing machine one night I was greeted by a friendly HUMAN Hayes Property voice. She made a few calls and within 15 minutes, someone was on site to give me my lost money. Amazing.

Horrendous Company
Rude and obnoxious
My suggestion is Stay Clear!!!

I lived in a Hayes Properties building for a year and had a great experience. When there was something wrong with our apartment they usually came and fixed it quickly.
However, when our first 6-​month lease needed to be renewed, they upped our rent. And secondly, it was difficult to live in the building with our neighbors. I’m young and I like to have a person or two over every once in a while and the minute that happened, somebody complained about noise. I understood the first time since the music was up a bit, but the second time when I was merely sitting in my living room with one friend and speaking to them, without music on, we were complained about. Diane was nice about it at first, but after the 2^nd complaint — which was ludicrous in the first place — she told us we shouldn’t have any more people over until the end of our lease. And we were told not to make any noise whatsoever on the back porch.
Like I said, I’m young, but even I understand that living in an apartment building comes along with noises. You’re living in a building with dozens of other people and it’s bound to happen. When Diane told us we should ‘keep a lid on it’ I felt that I was walking on eggshells in my own apartment. I felt that I couldn’t speak at a regular volume, have people over, go out on my back porch, or turn on the television or itunes. I think that it’s ridiculous that we were asked to stop having people over when we’ve been good tenants — always paying rent early, I might add.
So in conclusion, I was very disappointed with my stay with Hayes Properties by the end of my lease.

First of all I’d like to say how very sorry I am to be writing yet another 1-​star review of a Chicago landlord. I would really like to be writing a 5-​star review as I much prefer to be positive. The problem is I am really having a horrible time as a tenant of Hayes Properties.
We have had roaches here for one thing.
Lately the maintenance people seem to be playing some kind of game when they come over to do «extermination». They knock on doors in some kind of random (?) sequence, apparently to figure out who is home and who is not. I get very weird vibes from some of them when they come into the unit, like they are looking things over for future reference. Another freaky thing they have done is leave a pile of screws on the back window ledge after working on the screen door.
Also, when I have reported this suspicious behavior to the management, I have been told that I need to stop sending them «disturbing» email. In fact, they told my roommate that he is now responsible for maintenance until I leave here.
The floor really slopes in the back part of the building (nearest the El tracks) and the building shakes when the train goes by. Part of the ceiling caved in in our storage unit. The back door hangs crooked and when it rains it gets soaked and once got stuck open.
So, all in all, I really can’t recommend that you move here.

I’ve lived at many different apartments in Chicago, and Hayes Properties has been my best experience. If there is a problem, maintenance comes out almost immediately to fix it– from changing light fixtures to leaky faucets. Over summer we kept loosing power because the electric wasn’t strong enough to handle the air conditioning unit & refridgerator. I called our building representative, Debbie, and a day or so later the electricians came out and fixed the problem.
After 4 years of renting from Hayes in 3 different apartments, I can honestly say that they are great!

I had a great experience with Hayes Properties over the years, especially with Diane. With all the idiots and crooks out there serving as landlords, it was a great relief to find a company that was reasonable and fair. They are responsive to requests for maintenance, and while they do tend to favor short-​term solutions to lingering issues, they will spend the money if something is needed.
As a general comment, most of their big courtyard buildings are very old, so by nature there are problems with water pressure and pitched floors, etc. But the units are nice, the buildings well-​maintained, and the heat plentiful and free in winter!
The best thing I can say is that when I finally bought a place and left the world of renting, they were very good about finding an amicable way for me to get out of my lease. Diane was genuinely happy for me, and we worked as a team until we found someone to take over the last 6 months of the lease. They appreciate a good renter!

Rent kept going up every year (during the recession) and I was paying way too much, so moved out. Over-​priced!
My new place is (significantly) less than I was paying for my Hayes apartment (same size), FIVE YEARS AGO. And my new place is much brighter, about the same size, with much much better closets and storage too.
Also, there was a bad leaky pipe in storage unit, and ruined many of my things. Owner Joe Hayes didn’t care at all!!! He was rude and defensive with me.

The folks at Hayes Properties differ greatly from other management companies I have dealt with in Chicago. I am going to call out ICM Properties and the dismal way in which their bad business practices impacted me.
At Hayes, one of their staff named Barbara rented my wife and I an apartment in Lakeview for two years before we were ready for a larger space. We had no problems with the existing location. It was not unusual for company owner Joe Hayes to come by to help with a maintenance issue. The apartment was fantastic. We just needed a bigger space.
Barbara showed us an apartment that was about to be remodeled. Less than two months later we were moved in to a fully rehabbed apartment with brand new walls, windows, kitchen, and ceiling fans. The apartment looked fantastic and the team at Hayes went out of their way.
Barbara and Hayes continue to provide fast help for little maintenance issues common to any building nearing a hundred years in age.
No rental relationship is perfect, but Hayes is certainly comes as close to perfect as I have ever found!

I am leaving my apartment that has been managed by Hayes Properties, and have dealt with many sub-​par companies while apt. searching, and it has made me appreciate Hayes so much more. Diane is Awesome. Sweet and caring and attentive.
They have been on the ball with every issue we have had, and I love this apt! I will miss you, Montine (Montana/​Racine).