building at 150 East 18th Street

What you have described makes your friend sound like a fool more than anything. Upon visiting the apartment prior to renting it, your friend had to have seen the alleged run-down condition of the common areas. That could not possibly have been a surprise. Anyone renting would see the lobby, the halls, and a prudent person would see the basement laundry facilities, if any, and any other common spaces as part of diligently checking the place out prior to forking over money and signing. Second, a simple question to the rental agent like "who receives my packages and dry cleaning" and then asking the doorman about the procedures for same would have cleared that up prior to signing. And since no rental could have occurred without dealing with the managing agent, your friend must have been on notice of the mien of the managing agent.

So what exactly was the surprise here? Everything you describe should have been clear prior to moving in. And why are you so moved by this supposed situation to take the time to post about your friend's apartment building?

Something here in this post isn't right.

it's a great neighborhood...

kylewest: Why are you so emotionally invested in this? Why are you so moved to post such a lengthy and heated response to my post, the purpose of which was to make other prospective tenants be more careful than my friend was?

OP, the idea of a message board, as opposed to say, graffiti, is to interact. Kyle makes good points. Maybe instead of attacking him you can address his questions?

I know this building well. It's not a dump. This is just another troll posting.

The building is a dump and the managing agent is horrible. The first post is accurate, even if the poster's friend may have been foolish. The doormen in this building are nice but the building is run so poorly and by a managing agent that is more concerned with policy than reason and who clearly hasn't invested in the building in ages. The pluses are space and neighborhood, but the building itself (including agent) is awful.

I am actually very happy with the building. I moved in two months ago and have not had any issues. I love the area and the doorman is very friendly.

D.