Having received no response from Millenium Realty or Artspace we sent a follow up letter

Reads Artspace Residents

February 4, 2025

 

Jacqueline Montalvo

Property Manager

 

Subject: Concerns Regarding Lease Violations, Inconsistent Enforcement, and Communication Style

 

Dear Ms. Montalvo,

 

We are writing to formally address ongoing concerns regarding the enforcement of lease violations, unclear building policies, the tone of management communications, and the inconsistent application of rules among tenants.

 

Lack of Clear Rules and Fair Enforcement

 

Many residents were never provided with a comprehensive copy of the building rules and regulations. Yet, violations are being issued without prior notice or proper documentation. It is unreasonable to expect compliance when tenants were not given the necessary information upfront. If management intends to enforce policies strictly, clear, written guidelines must be provided first.

 

Additionally, enforcement appears selective. For example, the lease states that tenants are permitted only one pet, yet some individuals are exempt from this rule. If lease violations are to be issued, they should be applied fairly and consistently to all residents without favoritism or selective punishment.

 

If fines are being issued retroactively for hallway storage at $25 per week, will owners of two dogs also be fined retroactively for the additional pet they have had for years? Will they be required to remove the extra pet, as enforcement would suggest? Or does selective enforcement mean they are exempt? If policies are not consistently enforced, the issue is not with tenants but with management itself.

 

Unprofessional and Passive-Aggressive Communication

 

Many recent memos have contained language that feels condescending rather than constructive. Below are several examples:

1. February Monthly Memo  Valentine’s Day Greeting

The memo begins with a message about feeling loved and special but immediately shifts to a list of penalties and strict policies. This transition feels insincere and patronizing, rather than fostering a positive community atmosphere.

2. Hallway/Stairwell Policy

Despite previous warnings, this issue continues.

This assumes tenants are deliberately ignoring rules rather than possibly being unaware of them. A more constructive approach would be to provide clear documentation and offer solutions instead of reprimanding tenants.

The public hallways in the Read’s Artspace building were designed as lighting spaces for resident artists…not for storage.

While we understand the need to keep common areas clear, the tone implies that tenants are intentionally misusing the space rather than simply needing clarification.

The deadline for removal is February 10th. After this date, tenants or owners of the items will be issued a lease violation and charged $25.00 per item per week.

 Instead of offering alternative solutions, the memo immediately jumps to financial penalties, reinforcing an authoritarian rather than cooperative approach.

3. Unauthorized Visitors Section

There continue to be unauthorized visitors urinating and defecating in the stairwells.

While this is a serious concern, the wording unfairly places responsibility on tenants instead of addressing security solutions.

While I understand that some individuals are seeking shelter due to the cold, our priority must be the safety and well-being of our residents.

This acknowledges the issue but immediately shifts to strict enforcement, making compassion feel like an afterthought.

4. Cameras in Elevators Section

I will be reviewing footage to ensure the safety of our residents and to address any unauthorized activity, including subleasing.

With entry and lobby cameras already in place, management should already have a record of who enters the building. If security is the priority, funds would be better spent improving front-door access control rather than surveilling tenants inside elevators.

Additionally, with all this monitoring of hallways, stairwells, and elevators given the limited hours you work here each week when will you find time to do your actual job? Shouldn’t your focus be on improving tenant relations, addressing maintenance issues, and ensuring clear and consistent policy enforcement rather than acting as an overzealous security officer?

5. Restricted Access Notice

Do not open the doors for him under any circumstances.

 

While safety is a valid concern, the wording is unnecessarily harsh. A more professional and respectful approach would be: “For security reasons, please do not grant access to this individual. Additionally, the included photo is so blurry that residents would not recognize him even if they encountered him.

6. Unit Inspections for Capital Needs Assessment

At this time, we have not been informed which specific units will be inspected. Therefore, we are notifying all residents to ensure everyone is aware of the potential entry.

This suggests disorganization and places the burden of uncertainty on tenants instead of management taking responsibility for providing specific information.

 

Requested Actions

 

To ensure fair treatment and improve communication, we request the following:

1. Provide all tenants with a complete and updated copy of the building’s rules and regulations.

2. Ensure that lease violations are applied fairly and consistently to all residents.

3. Adopt a more professional and respectful tone in communications, avoiding condescending or punitive language.

4. Offer constructive solutions and alternatives when enforcing policies, rather than immediately resorting to threats of fines or violations.

5. Clarify whether policies will be enforced retroactively and, if so, apply them consistently—including pet policies.

6. If tenants are subject to enforcement and fines for longstanding issues, will management also be held accountable for its inconsistent enforcement and communication failures? If lease violations are issued for storage infractions, does that mean certain tenants will also receive violations for multiple pets? Will they have to remove one of their dogs? Or is the solution to enforce policies fairly rather than selectively?

 

If management is serious about improving the building, it should start by fostering a sense of fairness and respect, rather than issuing passive-aggressive memos and selectively applying rules. We ask that these concerns be taken seriously so that we can work toward a more cooperative and transparent relationship between management and residents.

 

You work here a few hours a week this is our home. We deserve to feel comfortable here. You were hired to represent us, not to impose unfair, authoritarian policies. We look forward to your response and a fair resolution.

 

Sincerely,

Reads Artspace Residents

readsartspacevoices@gmail.com