Urban and Bye Realtor Ratings
Period: November 2008 through February 2009
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MEANINGFUL SCORING: STAR RATING vs RAW vs ALL
Each category, question or landlord has a star rating that reflects how they compare to ALL surveys for the current date period. For example, a landlord may score a RAW average of 4.54 but that will not necessarily yield an excellent 5 star RATING. The star RATING reflects the comparison of the RAW average to the average of ALL surveys using some fraction of the standard deviation. For example, if the ALL surveys average is 3.5662, with st. dev. 1.4082, you actually need a RAW average of ~4.63 or higher for a 5 stars RATING.
Basically, you should interpret the RATING as Poor, Fair, Average, Good or Excellent based on 1 to 5 stars. For example if the rating is Good (4 stars), the landlord has a good score compared to others surveyed.
Survey Ratings Homepage - Disclaimer - Survey Homepage
MEANINGFUL SCORING: STAR RATING vs RAW vs ALL
Each category, question or landlord has a star rating that reflects how they compare to ALL surveys for the current date period. For example, a landlord may score a RAW average of 4.54 but that will not necessarily yield an excellent 5 star RATING. The star RATING reflects the comparison of the RAW average to the average of ALL surveys using some fraction of the standard deviation. For example, if the ALL surveys average is 3.5662, with st. dev. 1.4082, you actually need a RAW average of ~4.63 or higher for a 5 stars RATING.
Basically, you should interpret the RATING as Poor, Fair, Average, Good or Excellent based on 1 to 5 stars. For example if the rating is Good (4 stars), the landlord has a good score compared to others surveyed.
| Urban and Bye Realtor Ratings based on 6 surveys, 3 comments | |||
| Overall (average of all 32 questions): |  | 3.01 | 3.56 |
| Landlord / Tenant Relationship: |  | 3.05 | 3.36 |
| Apartment / Property Quality: | | 3.04 | 3.68 |
| Repair Responsiveness: | | 2.62 | 3.37 |
Landlord / Tenant Relationship My Landlord... | |||
| is concerned with my satisfaction: | | 2.33 | 2.85 |
| uses a lease written in language that I can understand: | | 3.83 | 3.77 |
| can be contacted easily when necessary: | | 3.50 | 3.42 |
| provided me with emergency contact information: | | 2.66 | 3.31 |
| communicates in a prompt, friendly, and professional manner: | | 3.00 | 3.22 |
| keeps promises made in the lease: | | 3.50 | 3.42 |
| maintains the property in good condition: | | 2.50 | 3.19 |
| makes professional repairs: | | 2.83 | 3.22 |
| handles finances (e.g. rent, fees, security deposits) quickly & accurately: | | 3.33 | 3.82 |
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Apartment / Property Quality Condition of rental unit | |||
| I feel safe in my living space: | | 3.33 | 3.95 |
| Doors & windows are intact, secure with working locks: | | 3.33 | 3.77 |
| Fire safety features are adequate and in working condition: | | 3.00 | 3.70 |
| Building noise levels allow me to quietly enjoy my home: | | 2.66 | 3.49 |
| Walls and ceilings are in good shape: | | 3.33 | 3.46 |
| Carpet / flooring is in good condition: |  | 2.00 | 3.51 |
| Appliances work: | | 2.83 | 3.83 |
| Electrical wiring is adequate: | | 3.50 | 3.83 |
| Hot water is sufficient: |  | 4.50 | 4.05 |
| Heat is sufficient: | | 3.50 | 3.79 |
| Plumbing is free from leaks: | | 3.16 | 3.79 |
| Paint or wallpaper is in good condition: | | 3.00 | 3.68 |
| Space is free of rodents, roaches, bedbugs, or other pests: | | 2.33 | 3.35 |
| Containers and instructions are provided for trash disposal: | | 3.50 | 3.72 |
| Containers & instructions are provided for recycling: | | 2.83 | 2.70 |
| The space was clean prior to move-in: | | 2.33 | 3.50 |
| There are smoke detectors which, when tested, work: | | 2.66 | 4.03 |
| Outdoor lighting in the front/rear/side areas is adequate: | | 2.66 | 3.74 |
| Exterior lights come on automatically when it gets dark: | | 2.66 | 3.56 |
| Lighting is adequate in common areas, hallways & stairwells: | | 3.66 | 4.06 |
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Repair Responsiveness Optional questions when repairs were needed (response time) | |||
| Minor repairs? (i.e. small wall cracks, broken hinges): | | 2.50 | 3.08 |
| Major repairs? (i.e. broken appliance, safety and security, bedbugs): | | 2.16 | 3.12 |
| Emergencies? (i.e. plumbing, heating, broken doors/locks): | | 3.16 | 3.89 |
Comments (3) User submitted feedback for Urban and Bye Realtor. Stars below reflect only that user's rating. | |||
2009-02-05  Urban and Bye sucks. Back to top | |||
2008-12-15  My experience with Urban and Bye was positive overall. In general, they addressed issues within a day or two. They responded particularly quickly if I e-mailed their general address as well as called the Property Manager for repairs or complaints. The repairmen they sent were always courteous and skillful, and I received several replies to my e-mails directly from the owners of the realty company. Their approach was more reactive than proactive, however. For example, they never seemed to schedule regular collection of the quarters in the basement washer/ dryer and so it happened that I would load my laundry, put in the quarters and then realize it was jammed (too full) and have to call U&B to come fix it. In the meantime, I would have to unload the dirty laundry that was by then sticky with detergent. This happened many times. 4408 Pine (Apt 1) was a pleasure to live in overall-- spacious and comfortable with a gloriously large, well-lit kitchen, and we even had a back yard for summer parties, barbecuing etc. It was roach free when I lived there (`05-`08) which was really a plus. It`s an old converted building, however, so there were some problems. The floorboards on the first floor are not insulated from the basement at all so after a heavy rain, basement smell would drift upward. (The solution to this was that U&B sent some guys to disinfect the basement floor to alleviate the bad smell in our apartment, but I had to call every time.) The apartments are also not well insulated from one another, so I could hear everything from the second floor. When you hope to sleep before your upstairs neighbor, this can be a pretty big issue. When it got really bad, U&B did intervene on my behalf. Towards the end of my stay there, there was a mouse problem in the stove area-- I would recommend having a cat if you are not allergic. I think the key to a positive experience with U&B is not being shy to call and report issues as they occur-- because they are unlikely to do any upkeep unless you ask them to. I would also recommend scheduling the walk through of the apartment when you move out while you are still there, so that there are no discrepancies between how well you think you cleaned it and how well they say you did-- since your security deposit is on the line. If that is not possible, take photos. Back to top | |||
2008-11-25  Building is not in great condition. Urban and Bye does not handle rodent problems- you must talk to the exterminator who is supposed to come once a month, but doesn`t. I have only seen them once in two and a half years. You have to call them if you want them to come and they still only come when they are scheduled to come for the month- not right away. Repairs were done same day when our door failed to lock, but they take a long time for other things such as heating. We have to call repeatedly every year for them to come out to get our heat working properly. Repair men make messes and do not clean up after themselves. Back to top | |||
