Farmington Avenue Apartments

I left a great neighborhood in West Hartford because the management company was awful. I’ve been here for five months now, and I am SO happy with this place. Gorgeous hardwoods and architectural details, new granite countertops, effective heating/​cooling system. And management is very responsive– each time I have need to put a service request in (you can do this on the phone or through the online portal where you can also make rent payments), the problem was fixed the next day. It is a nice building in a transitional neighborhood with the right amenities (dishwasher! in unit washer/​dryer!?!) that is reasonably priced. I also love living in a pet friendly place.

I’ve been living at 210 Farmington Ave for 2 years and am now transferring to another apartment in the building. The staff is very kind and helpful. Over the years they have significantly improved the upkeep redid a lot of the interior of the apartments the parking lot, and the maintenance guys are responsive and keep the place clean. I recommend anyone that wants an affordable downtown feel to contact PMC Property Group. They have other places as well that are very nice.

I have lived in three different buildings in core downtown Hartford managed by three different property management groups over the last 4 years.
PMC offers quality apartments at great rates and I have found their service to be as good or better than the other firms that I dealt with.

DO NOT RENT WITH PMC OR YOU WILL REGRET IT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE:
PMC Property Group deserves to be in JAIL for numerous reasons. During my stay at the downtown Hartford location I endured many PRIVACY VIOLATIONS and ILLEGAL ENTRIES in my apartments without any notice (example my carpet was changed AND FURNITURED MOVED AROUND without my consent nor any notice, 3^rd party vendors changed my apt windows without any entry consent/​notice while I was on vacation and left my apartment door open) UNSAFE LIVING CONDITIONS (homeless man was sleeping in our hallways, I called the manager and she didn’t care — I asked her to change the broken lock on the front door for 6 months and still didn’t do it, I had to call the police to have the homeless man arrested and they too told me the front door lock was broken) NON FUNCTIONING ELEVATORS 3 out of 3 elevators always breaking down, consistently.
I can go on and tell you in detail the horrible experiences I had during my 2 years with PMC, the incompetent staff, the poor management, the fire code violations etc but it is in your best interested to never stay at any properties managed by PMC if you want to avoid emotional distress.

Do Not rent. Tenants are planning a civil action law suit.

I have lived in one of PMC properties for a little over a year. When I first moved in I was fresh out of college, new to CT and looking for something affordable. For the space and and utilities that pmc offers their prices are hard to beat. Pmc has had a few down falls due to the cause of previous management. Recently they’ve made changes and you can honestly tell how big of a difference it makes. I am currently transferring to a larger unit, as I have a attempted this before with prior management which didnt go well. Garrett S. has definitely been a god sent. Garrett was extremely accommodating, he went above and beyond to make sure i was aware of what was going on. Garrett was extremely helpful listened to what I needed, and made sure everything was done on time. Every question was answered, he explained everything thoroughly which made the process a breeze. The best thing about Garrett was his personality and knowledge. He was extremely personable, and knew exactly what he was talking about. I had considered breaking my lease but after meeting Garrett, and seeing that PMC is definitely making strides to changes their management, it’s definitely worth staying. I currently live in their Niles Property, it’s a quiet building and a considerable amount of space for a reasonable price.

I highly recommend people to explore more before they rent from PMC property group in Hartford.
Even though the unit in this building is nice, with thing you will need within the unit and affordable. The management are the worst I have ever dealt with.
For some unfortunate work relate reason I had to move couple of time in 2014 in different place. I was in Las Vegas for good number of year and rented the place, Never had any issue. I had to move to Raleigh. I had lease for a year but, I had to move within 2 month. It was difficult but everything went smooth. I paid whatever fine I had to. I had the apartment in my name for one extra month even though I moved but things went smooth. Management was helpful.
From Raleigh I moved to Hartford, and decided to rent in 210 Farmington ave with PMC property group. I had no idea what I was getting into. If I did, I would not have stayed there. I had a bad start with them from the Day 1 but I was out of option by then. I complete the paper work, I was told everything is ready for me to come sign the lease and grab the keys on Saturday. I went there and the day I was suppose to move in ready with all my stuff outside of there office, they say there is some issue with paper work and the corporate office is closed in Saturday. They will not be able to do anything until Monday. Who does that? I called them multiple time to make sure everything is okay and this is how they treat their tenant. I didn’t had any option at that point so I took a hotel for couple of day and waited. On Monday I finally was able to sign the lease.
As I move in the apartment there was smells like cat or rotten rat or who know what. When I asked the property manager, she refused in my face that she is not able to smell anything where as all the folks, even the maintenance folks are say the smell is really bad. I followed up for another month for them to get that cleaned, I had profession carpet cleaning and got that cleaned myself. They just sent someone to spay something on carpet. Maintenance guy was helpful, He tried few thing.
I had to move again for work and everything went south. They didn’t had my apartment on their list for re-​renting. I am constantly referring people there and they are not showing them the unit. I found out only after month and I sent them mail stating, I will not pay anymore rent and handle it legally. When I sent them mail, within few day the apartment was re-​rented. Beside keeping all the deposit, they charged me some extra. I am just going to throw money at them and be done with it.
These are just few major things I faced. If I write everything, the list will go on.
Do not rent with PMC Property group. They are mess and they do not own to it.

This place is not too bad to live in (except for no snow clearing service) but customer service sucks. I lived there for 2 years. Never bothering them. Always paying rent on time. I kept the place spotless because I am a bit OCD about clean spaces. When I left I even got complimented by them on how nice the place looks «looks new» was what I was told. 5 months later still no return of my deposit despite multiple calls and everyone promising that it was sent or they will check to see what happened and get back to me. I was very disappointed. Still not heard back from anyone. At this point, I think they don’t plan on sending my $ 500 ever. I don’t plan on ever recommending them. Word of advice to current renters, when you are leaving just deduct your deposit from your last check to them otherwise you will not get it back. To others considering the place, beware.

DO NOT RENT HERE!
I lived here from January 2010 to August 2010 — I had to move for a new job. Breaking your lease here means tons of hidden fees, no help whatsoever from them in re-​renting the unit.
When I lived here, I noticed as the other reviewer did, that there is no recycling offered — I notified them that not only was that inconvenient for tenants, it was actually illegal under CT state law. Their response «Oh well we don’t offer it.»
People don’t pick up after their dogs, that is also true. I had two living here, and constantly had to watch where I walked. I think the reason for this was there was no other public outside trash can in the courtyard — I asked the manager about putting a trash can there, he promised me one was coming in a few weeks. Never came.
Because of this, I used to walk to the dumpster in the ally back behind the building to throw out pet waste. Safe right? Not exactly, right before I moved out I was back there early one morning and some idiot with 4 (yes FOUR) unleashed pit-​mixes was letting his dogs out down the back fire escape-​the dogs saw my two dogs and attacked them, it last about 10 minutes and by the end of it someone had called the police, animal control, and the poor security guard that tried to help was bleeding. Management’s reaction to this whole experience? NOTHING. Not one returned phone call, no indication that the individual whose dogs attacked mine would be evicted/​punished. nothing.
Pretty sure someone was also breeding dogs and selling them out of this unit.
«Keyless» entry system broke about once a week — really fun when you can’t get inside your own building because they cheaped out on whatever system they bought.
Parking was a nightmare and they promised more spaces than they actually had to tenants and had to take some passes back if you had more than one per unit.
Its true though, there are pretty pictures and the units are nice…
Not going to ever rent from PMC ever again.
After all that they sent me a bill after I moved out for some mysterious fees… Paid it to be through with them but not happy about it. Hartford is a tough place to find affordable decent pet friendly housing, and I knew this place wouldn’t be perfect but really wish I had kept looking. Don’t be lured in unless you really can’t find another place.

PMC Property Group was a godsend when planning a move Hartford; a city I didn’t know anything about or had never visited. With a $ 500 deposit wired and a rental application emailed, I was able to secure a place at one of their properties, 210 Farmington Avenue.
210 Farmington Avenue is near the corner of Sigourney and Farmington in the Asylum Hill neighborhood. This building is listed on the registry of Historic Buildings as part of the Historic neighborhood of Asylum Hill but also as the former residence of poet Wallace Stevens. Built around 1910, this building has great architectural features as seen from what has survived but has evidence of a rougher period.
The latest incarnation is a newly remodeled property that has one and two-​bedroom apartments. There are interesting touches in the remodel like the natural stone countertops, dark finish on the doors, double glazed windows, and lots of windows, central heat and air, and washer/​dryer in each unit. They also allow pets with a pet deposit so many residents have dogs.
The physical characteristics create the basis of a residence, but the amenities that make this place a home is almost non-​existent.
No Recycling (This was added just this past summer 2011)
No Storage
No Guest Parking
PMC Property Group is nice enough but does nothing to encourage the feeling of being neighborly. This is a must for a transitional neighborhood like this one. With 89 units, this building attracts a combination of college students, young professionals, bachelors, divorcees, single-​parents, and lots of dog lovers. Saying «Hi» to neighbors have had a myriad of responses from an awkward half smile to being totally ignored.
I am not a perfect neighbor but I always try and be diligent about being considerate. This morning when I went to throw my garbage in one of the garbage rooms, some lazy neighbor just put two bags on top of the bins. I thought it was full, but no, it was totally empty… cannot be bothered to lift the lid and put the bags in!!!
Also, some neighbors do not pick up after their dogs. To me, this clearly shows that they are not capable of being responsible people and pet owners. It’s not that hard to pick up after your pet, and if you truly know your pet, you will know their pooping pattern and take appropriate number of poop bags needed.
I have lived in other urban areas but this bit of Hartford just baffles me. I have never been bombarded with rudeness, disregard, and inconsideration before. There needs a lot to be done before this neighborhood improves, having a nice building is a start but it needs to take the next few steps and develop a sense of neighborliness.
UPDATE:
Since the review above, Recycling has been added, but again, some lazy neighbors don’t sort the recycling. So there’s not real difference between the garbage bins and the recycling bins. The building custodian do their best in helping sort this mess out but it should not be part of their job.
Before our lease was up, we got a notice to renew, four months in advance and offering an incentive to renew early. Hidden in the form were several fee hikes, like a new parking fee of $ 50 per month, and a $ 150 rent hike. WHAT A DOUCHEBAG MOVE! I tried to negotiate with them but the process was totally unfriendly and the office staff really did not seem sympathetic. We renewed anyway since I hate moving.
They have put up doggy bag station but totally with the wrong kind of bags. Instead of small, biodegradable plastic bags, they have medium size black trash bags creating unnecessary waste and demonstrating yet another example of how they don’t really care to create a feeling of home and neighborliness.
Also, it takes them a long time to get to simple requests like light bulb replacement. I have been waiting for three weeks now!
Final recommendation, renter beware!