New York Room For Rent - 2 Bedroom apartment for a roommate in Rego Park, Queens (NY-15005)

Arb, about two months before the end of our agreement, you expressed your desire to extend your stay for an additional year as in your own words, "you liked the place so much." I thanked you for wanting to stay while expressing that it would not be possible as I had other plans. Since that point, our roommate relationship deteriorated. Despite your displeasure at being here you were still trying to extend your stay up to the very last minute. I, however, welcome this opportunity to respond to your comments.

I am considerate of the fact that every guest has a right to quiet enjoyment. I did have 2 different overnight guests for the sum total of 3 nights during your 6-month tenure, but as owner of the apartment, that is a right that I reserve and when I do have visitors or houseguests, not only do I introduce them but they use my bathroom. The second bathroom has been used exclusively by you. I do have family and friends who drop by from time to time but I do not have unknown guests nearly every week sleeping on my couch.

Yes, I did enter your room to retrieve the cat that was accidentally locked in, and my building management also reserves the right to enter my apartment in the event of an emergency. You were advised as soon as possible and replied that it was not a problem. I apologized about this situation, it was exceptional as I never arbitrarily enter my guests' room. You speak of my cat as being dirty, but if you are at all familiar with cats you know that they are one of the cleanest house pets!

This building is indeed a pre-war building and that is also its charm. It is well constructed with amply-sized rooms and a small kitchen, just as it is in the photographs. This apartment is neither bug-infested nor smelly and it is routinely exterminated every other week. The cleaning lady does come once per month as indicated on my page and I personally maintain it on a daily basis, with each guest responsible for his/her own quarters except for the general monthly. All my guests have the option to bring in their own cleaning person more frequently for their own space/laundry if they so desire or I will be happy to refer them to mine. I communicated with New York Habitat after you wrote this feedback who sent someone who inspected my apartment to make sure it was cleaned up. Their feedback was positive.

On several occasions I had to remind you that you had forgotten to clean up after yourself. I don't enjoy doing so any more than you liked needing to be reminded. I leave no dirty dishes or garbage. I respectfully request the same of all my guests as the kitchen should always be available to the next person who needs to use it without having to dance around someone else's stuff.

I regret that you have chosen to drag my daughter into this review. She is a parasite on no one, not even me.

For the matter of the AC, I did advise you when you came to see the apartment that you were welcome to use the AC but that you were responsible for your kilowatt usage, a fact that you did acknowledge in one of your emails to me. This was followed up in writing in the Welcome letter which I give to all my guests when they arrive.

As for the mailbox key, by your own admission, not only did you not request one but I'm mostly home and I promptly retrieve and distribute the mail on a daily basis. That has never been an issue with any of my guests. In the interest of my own privacy and security I will not be requesting additional keys or new locks from the Postmaster for each short term stay. Each of your requests was promptly addressed however big or small. Case in point, when you brought it to my attention that the Wifi was slowing I promptly had a new router overnighted to me.

As an experienced host, who has had numerous guests over the years from diverse cultures, I take great pride in providing a clean and comfortable home environment and am fully compliant with any agreement I make. This turn of events has been unfortunate and unnecessary but I am truly happy that you have found a much nicer place and I wish you good luck on your journey.

DB

We are sorry that your experience was not satisfactory Arb. We had our photographer inspect the apartment after we received your review as we take those comments very seriously.

The apartment was clean at the time and we did not notice any smell nor bugs. We hope that you enjoyed your stay in New York anyway.