TBS Properties manages rental apartments across Chicago and nearby North Shore suburbs like Evanston and Winnetka. For someone comparing options, the biggest question is consistency: experiences can vary sharply by building and by staff. Prospective renters will care most about unit condition at move-in, speed and quality of maintenance, and professionalism during showings. This review summarizes what matters—how quickly repairs get handled, what tenants report about building engineers, and what to verify before signing. If someone is looking for a centrally managed portfolio with locations across several neighborhoods, TBS offers breadth; if they prioritize airtight maintenance processes and proactive communication, it’s vital to ask pointed questions during the tour (see “Pros” for a checklist).
Services
• Apartment Leasing: Listings across Chicago and select suburbs (including Evanston and Winnetka). Showings coordinated by staff or building engineers.
• Property Management: Day-to-day building operations, unit turnovers, and common-area upkeep.
• Maintenance Requests: Work orders submitted and scheduled through management; responsiveness appears to vary by building.
• Building Engineering: Some properties have on-site engineers who coordinate repairs and vendor work.
• Move-In/Move-Out: Scheduling, walkthroughs, and repair approvals tied to unit readiness and new leases.
• Safety & Compliance: Responsibility for safe gas, plumbing, and electrical work via qualified vendors—an area renters should explicitly verify.
• Resident Communication: Phone/email outreach for showings, scheduling, and repair updates; expectations should be clarified up front.
Pros
• Locations: Variety of neighborhoods (city and North Shore) lets renters choose commute, school zones, and local amenities that fit their life.
• On-Site Leadership Can Matter: In buildings with a strong engineer (for example, tenants mention “Johnny” in Evanston), response times and long-term fixes improve noticeably. Ask who manages day-to-day at the exact building you’re considering.
• Clear Expectations Save Stress: Before applying, request a maintenance history for the unit (leaks, mold remediation, pest control) and ask how long typical repairs take. Insist on what “approved” means for any pending work and get timelines in writing.
• Tour Tactics: During the showing, look for water staining on ceilings/walls, test ventilation in bathrooms, check caulking around tubs, and ask to see proof of recent roof or plumbing work if leaks were reported previously.
• Safety First: Confirm that any gas line work is performed by licensed professionals—ask for vendor names and permits if applicable.
• Move-Out Matchback: If something is promised “after you move out,” clarify whether the same standard will be applied while you live there. Request documented approval and dates before signing.
• Communication Standard: Agree on a communication window (e.g., “we acknowledge within 24 hours and schedule within 72 hours”) so you know what to expect.
Reviews
- Long-Term Tenant (Positive – Evanston): A tenant of 20+ years reports that in the last two years the building engineer, Johnny, has been the best they’ve had—quick to respond, clear about scheduling, and effective. A recurring spring leak tied to roof melt was permanently resolved after he pushed for a full roof replacement. This suggests that outcomes can be strong when a capable engineer owns the fix.
- Move-In Condition (Negative – Chicago): Another renter describes moving into a unit with mold on the bathroom ceiling and a peeling tub. Multiple maintenance requests over two years reportedly went unresolved—repairs were only approved when a renewal wasn’t signed and a new tenant demanded fixes. This highlights the importance of confirming repair approvals and timelines in writing before move-in.
- Showing Experience (Negative – Winnetka): A prospective renter says an appointment was canceled 14 minutes before the tour because they didn’t answer a call while driving. After an hour-long trip, they felt dismissed and described the interaction as unprofessional. If tours matter to the decision, confirm the meeting policy (grace periods, confirmations) ahead of time.
- Safety Concern (Serious – Gas Line): One review alleges a gas leak attributed to the wrong part being attached and even “super glue” being used. Any report like this is serious. Prospective tenants should ask the building who performed gas work, whether licensed contractors were used, and what inspection/permit records exist.
- Pest & Marketing (Negative – Chicago): A renter mentions roach issues and being asked to film the apartment for marketing despite the pest problem. When touring, open cabinets, check baseboards, and ask for the most recent professional pest-control report and follow-up schedule. Make lease signing contingent on documented remediation if anything is found.
Final Take
TBS Properties offers broad location coverage and, in some buildings, standout engineering support that gets to root-cause fixes. At the same time, other tenants report slow or last-minute maintenance approvals, inconsistent showings, and serious safety and pest concerns. The best path forward is diligence: scrutinize unit condition, demand documented repair commitments, verify licensed vendors for gas and critical systems, and set clear communication standards. If those boxes are checked at your specific address, the experience can be solid; if not, consider alternative options in the same neighborhoods.