Raymond Abrams, Nicolete Maltapes Ray Abrams, Nikki Maltapes, 1620 Spruce Street Apartments. - Landlord, Tenant, Security Deposit, Scam, Mistreatment, Cockroaches, Mice, Code Failure, Shady Philadelphia Pennsylvania

Dear Prospective Tenant or Current Tenant of 1620 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103,

 This is a review of the apartments at 1620 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103. This is not a review about Master Tailor & Cleaners located on the bottom floor of this address. 

This is also a warning to the current and future tenants of Raymond Abrams who utilizes the services of Nicolete (Nickie) Maltapes to whom these apartments are under grave mismanagement. I used to live in these apartments and have a sad story to tell you. 

The story goes like this

I, a normal, kind and respectable young professional, rents their first apartment in Philadelphia at 1620 Spruce Street under the management of Nickie Maltapes and ownership of Ray Abrams.

I moved in on the fifth of the month as the previous tenant needed extra time to move out.

Upon moving in, my apartment, at 1620 Spruce Street, was still being repainted by Nickie Maltapes, with a promise of it being done in the first few weeks of my lease. These first few weeks eventually turned into the first few months. 

I soon realized that the 1620 Spruce Street building was also infested with mice. I, being a clean and organized person, asked Nickie Maltapes what she would do about this. To that, she instructed me to put my food into my refrigerator/freezer so the mice wouldn't smell it. She did not once think to hire an exterminator. I had to purchase mouse poison and place it all around my apartment and building to somewhat halt them.

One time, the power went out in half my apartment at 1620 Spruce Street. I was forced to us a table lamp when I showered and prepared myself for work. It took Nickie three days after the event to come over and flip the switches in the breaker box to restore my power.

Once, I got locked out of my apartment at 1620 Spruce Street. To this, Nickie Maltapes, who admitted she was hungover from excessive alcohol consumption the previous night and demanded I pay $60 for her taxi ride so she could get me my replacement keys. Further, she insisted that my lease stated it was $60 for a key replacement, which, after I showed her it clearly did not, she still insisted it did or else I'd be locked out for good. I offered to pick her up and drive her which she did not accept as well.

The building at 1620 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, is also firmly infested with cockroaches. I had to purchase traps for them as, at this point, since I knew Nickie Maltapes would do nothing.

Towards the end of my lease, I was informed by Nickie that she would require two months’ notice if any of her tenants were to move out. On the two month mark, I texted her to let her know, to which she acknowledged. A month later I got asked where my rent was. To which, I responded that I had told her I was moving out and my last months’ rent was covered back when I began my lease. She then insinuated I did not tell her I was moving out. To that, I sent her a picture of her text which acknowledged I was moving out. 

While showing the apartment, at 1620 Spruce Street, to prospective tenants, I ensured the place was clean and tidy. I also made sure not to mention any of the management issues as to not ruin Nickie Maltapes’s opportunity.

However, I did clearly ask her when I would be getting my security deposit returned to me, which she promised would be “very soon” and “in full.”

Furthermore, upon selecting a new tenant, she instructed me to move out on the 31^st of the month rather than the 5^th, which, out of kindness I did and broke my lease.

I also cleaned the carpets for her as she made no intention of cleaning the apartment for the new tenant. This, I know, because I moved out the evening before the new tenant moved in.

After moving out, I made multiple inquiries by voice and text message to Nickie Maltapes about the status of my security deposit, from Raymond Abrams, to which I got minimal responses to. Those responses were generally along the lines of “It is on its way.” Weeks later, I would follow-up to see how far along the way it was to which Nickie Maltapes would not answer and avoid.

After 30+ days and multiple attempts with no responses, I sought the aid of my parents in the issue. My Dad called her and, of course, she answered on the first ring not knowing who it was who was calling. She ensured my security deposit had been mailed the night prior, Wednesday, and that I would have it by the next week or else she would write me a personal check. Sure enough, the following week came, and there was no check. It is interesting, because I had someone mail me a letter from across the country the day after Nickie Maltapes ensured my check was in the mail and, sure enough, the letter from across the country made it to me before my supposed security deposit did.

I then called Nickie on my personal phone to inquire about the security deposit and she did not answer. Later in the day, I called via Skype to block my number and she answered right away. I politely asked about the status of my security deposit to which she replied “Do you need the money or something?” After ensuring that I did need my own money returned to me. She told me that she would call me back in 10 minutes. 30 minutes went by with no call. My Dad decided to attempt to contact her to which she sent me an angry text message instructing me to stop him from harassing her. However, he was only trying to inquire as to the status of my security deposit.

She then promised it was in the mail again. However, this was 7 days since she last promised this. To my surprise, I did receive a check in the mail from the landlord, Ray Abrams. However, the check was $50 short of what it was to be. To that, I asked Nickie Maltapes when I should be expecting the remainder of my money. She told me to call her in two weeks and talk to her about it when Ray Abrams was back from some place. I then demanded I have it back as I was within my full rights to sue them. However, she neglected to reply and still holds onto my security deposit.

My lease at 1620 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, ended the 5^th of the month. By law, I was to have written documentation of the status of my deposit or all/part of my deposit with proper accounting returned to me within 30 days. I received part of my deposit on the 19^th of the following month.

After 30 days with no security deposit. I was, and am, with in my full legal rights to file suit against Nickie Maltapes and Raymond Abrams who manage 1620 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103. However, I have elected kindness and opted not to take them to court. However, my kindness seems to only get me $50 short of the finish line.

Based on the above. I send this formal warning to anyone looking to rent from Raymond Abrams and Nickie Maltapes at 1620 Spruce Street, Philadelphia or at any location. Nickie Maltapes, herself, is an unprofessional property manager who allows her carelessness, greed and reckless attitude to outweigh her professional responsibilities to her tenants. To that end, I do not think anyone should have to live and suffer under her poor management as I did. 

Best wishes,