All new residential construction in the city had to block a percentage of apartments off for the affordable housing program, which provides reduced rent based on income. It's a convoluted program and how "affordable" it is is debatable, but it allows Democrats to claim they are doing something about the current housing crisis.

The city also rakes in the permit fees and other associated costs that come with new construction.

I am not by any means advocating for these buildings, just explaining what goes on behind the scenes a little bit.

We can only handle so much traffic congestion from construction in this city at once. Capitalist projects need to be a last priority. Pittsburgh is blue for a reason. Go to Texas

Landlords are the opposite of the working class. And why yes, you have discovered my the intended satire of my username- that label chasers are babies. Excellent work Ignorant Veil!

Not sure how being a jerk to a working class person is fighting for the working class and supporting blah blah blah.

Also, lol: “gucci_gucci…” the great class warrior!

Bridges are the city's responsibility, private developers are throwing up the matchstick high rises with overpriced rents.

Also fuck the landlords who host multiple open houses and don't tell you it's an open house until you arrive, just to farm hundreds of $50 application fees. I showed up in person and was offering a $5k deposit and was very well qualified just to be ghosted after the application fee and see the home still hosting open houses for weeks.

The best is when you tour, and then get the copy of the lease and they make you pay $120 a month for their wifi whether you want it or not, a $60 community garbage fee, and then a $250 a month "ancillary" fee. When I moved to Pittsburgh 4 out of the 5 apartments I drove an hour and a half to see did this and wasted my time. An apartment advertised at $1,200 was in reality $1,700 with all their required fees. Absolutely ridiculous.

I got lucky and found a house with a landlord that has just a couple houses and is very down to earth.

I don't get the normative system of how/why landlords/property owners think they get to set their prices?!? It should be bid/ask. That's how 'Market' rate works (at least theoretically in stonk world). We as renters need to stop slapping their high ask and bid lower rates.

Like the big high rises they’re throwing up in the north shore. But zero initiative to update bridges.

Stop sticking up for slumlords and the capitalist “laws” that support the exploitation of the working class.

Check out Herbert Halsband Properties they have been really great with me

Any time any one is pressuring someone to make a financial decision on the spot or within days, it's some, if not all, a scam.

I'm sure they'll have units open next week.

They're just trying to create a false sense of urgency.

Good on ya.

In what world does the law care about how something "feels" to you? All you'd be doing by filing frivolous complaints is waste a few dollars worth of taxpayer money to make yourself feel better for five minutes. If you want to ban this practice then get involved politically.

That one is on top of the other fuck you fees that are already there.

You’re 100% right

FWIW: PA real estate law requires that landlords/realtors note how long an offer is valid. For similar reasons every real estate company in America adds a disclaimer about prices being subject to change.

So, this is really more a dunning-kruegar situation on your part than a scam. And you should probably apologize to “Traci” for that really rude and foolish reply.

Use Zillow and choose 750 ft.² and you can also use spotcrime.com to find safe neighborhoods.

Ok so what’s the alternative sending in a case worker? I mean look let’s be realistic who’s the solution?

I haven’t seen it happen in over a decade, so it’s very possible the laws have changed

Landlords are scum

You know … you could hold them to their word and “commit” without giving a deposit. Nothing in their response mentions $$$.

Did that change? It was double when I took a landlord to court years ago.

Good for you! Fuck them

Take them to court, they'll be forced to pay tripple your security deposit.

And the irony is that most of the units here are still polished turds. Can't wait to get out of here.