Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 16:48:00 -0400
Message-Id: <9707142048.AA26328@shivalik.watson.ibm.com>
From: David Maltz <dmaltz@watson.ibm.com>
To: mju@cs.cmu.edu
Cc: dmaltz@cs.cmu.edu
Cc: bovik@cs.cmu.edu
Subject: living in a Mozart (used to be NALCO) building


I lived in a NALCO building Aug 94 - June 96.  NALCO changed its name
to Mozart Rentals in the spring of 96.  I know that many people have
had trouble with NALCO/Mozart in the past (see bovik articles from
89-91), but I had no troubles with them.

I lived in the building at 5561 Hobart Street in a 1 BD appt on the
7th floor.  The rent was midrange to high ($525/month) but I thought
it was fair for the space.  We had a nice kitchen, open plan dining
and living room space, and a sun room (I really liked the appt).  The
rent increase was ~ $25/year.  The basic building is a bit old.  The
wiring was substandard in a few ways when we moved in, but they
upgraded and fixxed it the first week.  I wish there had been more
phone plugs and grounded outlets, and a GFIC in the kitchen.

At the time we moved in, I believe NALCO was involved in litigation
with previous tenants over missuse of security deposits.  Probably due
to that proceeding, we were not asked for any security deposit.  There
were no troubles when we moved out, even though we broke the lease
early.  Or, let me say, Mozart charged exactly the fees set out in the
lease for breaking it early.  They were able to quickly re-rent it, so
only the minimum fees were charged (1 months rent + a bit).

My basic impression of Mozart/NALCO was as a big, impersonal rental
company.  This is both good and bad.  They are very professional.  If
there was a problem, they came and fixxed it the next day (no
waiting around for flakey landlords).  The grounds and laundry were
well kept.  The main drawback I found of a big impersonal company was
Mozart's lack of flexibility.  We wanted an 11 month lease --- they
``couldn't do that.''  Had we wanted a second phone line, it might
have been tricky.

I'd rent from them again.

YMMV,
 -dam