The Buckingham, chicago-il

We moved my son into The Buckingham yesterday for his summer internship in Chicago. He was the first check in time at 7:00 and there was a small line. The process was very efficient and it took just minutes to check in and get his room key. The room was clean and organized and the entire process could not have been easier and more organized. Super friendly staff and management too.

Staff from prudential defense solutions was very unfriendly and uncooperative. Leasing team was rarely available at all - room didn’t have working electrical outlets, lights, or AC functioning at move in

Pros: Great location, convenient for students, easy to make friends. Cons: Application Fee: $300 just to apply is excessive. Communication Issues: Leading up to move-in, it was nearly impossible to get timely responses from the management team. Misleading Pricing: Website listed the rate as $1,359/month, but I was charged for three months ("installments") instead of two. If you're charging $4,077 for the time there, just state that it is $2038 per month and be transparent about the costs. Unprofessional Notice: Rent was due May 1st, yet we were informed of payment procedures via email only one day prior (April 30). Unresolved Maintenance: Our door handle broke (not our fault), and despite repeated requests over three weeks, it was never fixed. I'm concerned we’ll be unfairly charged. Inaccessible Office Hours: Office open only 9–5 on weekdays, which conflicts with most residents' work schedules, which makes it difficult to get anything resolved in a timely fashion. Questionable Move-Out Fees: Based on others’ experiences and online reviews, charges for cleaning or damages seem arbitrary. The lack of a final walk-through adds to the concern. The most frustrating part of my experience was the handling of my final payment in July. I had approximately $60 already in my resident portal and wanted to avoid leaving any excess funds in the account, so I added the remaining balance to match the exact amount due and submitted the payment. However, on July 7th—two days after the late fee deadline—I received an email stating that my payment had not gone through. At no point prior to that email did the leasing office inform me of the issue. Had I been notified earlier, I could have resolved it before incurring a late fee. Despite having made the payment attempt in June, I was still charged a $50 late fee. When I reached out to dispute the charge and explain the situation, I was told, "this is just our policy." The lack of communication, especially around something as important as payment processing and late fees, was extremely frustrating and felt unfair. Overall: My experience with The Buckingham was marked by poor communication, lack of transparency, and a general sense that the Buckingham takes advantage of student renters. Repeated concerns have been raised by many residents over time, yet most only receive an apology and little seems to change. I'd recommend looking elsewhere for more transparent and student-friendly housing.

I had a great experience living at The Buckingham. The management team was always responsive and helpful whenever I had questions or maintenance requests. The apartment itself was clean, well-maintained, and had all the amenities I needed. The location was super convenient, with easy access to Downtown Chicago. My neighbors were friendly, and the community felt safe and welcoming. Overall, I really enjoyed my time here and would definitely recommend The Buckingham to anyone looking for a comfortable and hassle-free place to live! Mark

I wanted so badly to enjoy living here. The place itself wasn’t horrible, but the management has made this experience absolutely miserable. They have some of the most rude people you will ever talk to, and getting in contact with them will be a challenge in itself. I had so many calls and emails go unanswered. The maintenance staff was great, but I think there were just so many issues with the place that they were run ragged. The air conditioner went out multiple times throughout the summer, and my apartment was nearly 90 degrees at times. As far as location goes, just be cognizant that the building is right next to the train and it is LOUD. Additionally, I had to have my blinds down 24/7 because there was an office across the street that looked into my bedroom. My biggest grievance with this place is the way they have been scamming everyone with cleaning fees. After receiving the charges, I asked for photos because I know I had deep cleaned the entire place before leaving. They initially would not send me the photos and simply told me the charges would stand. I finally managed to get them to send me the photos, which showed no issues with the place. As I tried to communicate with them, I continued to receive the same automatic emails, not even addressing what I was trying to bring up. They will not give you any chance to contest it whatsoever, forcing you to pay unless you want your bill send to collections. This place is a total scam; I would not recommend it at all.