University Commons FAQ
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
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Who are the property management companies and property managers?
There are 2 management companies in University Commons - The Building Group and Associa Chicagoland
Associa:
Donna Ciota, CMCA, AMS
Property Manager (UC5)
Office: (312) 255-5415
Email: Donna.Ciota@associa.us
(Office Location - 1150 W 15th St - UC5)
James Dequilla, CMCA
Property Manager (UC2)
On-Site Phone Number: (773) 848-7547
(Office Location - 1070 W 15th St - UC2)
Patrick Sinwelski
Community Manager (UC6)
Email: Patrick.Sinwelski@associachicagoland.com
(Office Location - 1151 W 14th Pl - UC6)
Theo Hodges, CPM
Community Associate Manager (UC4)
Phone: (773) 405-0505
(Office location – 1151 W 15th St – UC4)
The Building Group:
Main Office: (872) 255-9900
Patty Madden
Property Manager (UC1/UC3)
Office: (872) 255-9902
(Office location – 1071 W 15th St – UC3)
Farah Muhammad
Assistant Property Manager, CAM
Office: (872) 255-9900
Direct: (872) 255-9901
Email: UCSupport@BuildingGroup.com
(Office location – 1071 W 15th St - UC3)
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What is the property manager’s email address?
There are 2 management companies in University Commons - The Building Group and Associa Chicagoland
Associa:
Donna Ciota, CMCA, AMS
Property Manager (UC5)
Office: (312) 255-5415
Email: Donna.Ciota@associa.us
(Office Location - 1150 W 15th St - UC5)
James Dequilla, CMCA
Property Manager (UC2)
On-Site Phone Number: (773) 848-7547
(Office Location - 1070 W 15th St - UC2)
Patrick Sinwelski
Community Manager (UC6)
Email: Patrick.Sinwelski@associachicagoland.com
(Office Location - 1151 W 14th Pl - UC6)
Theo Hodges, CPM
Community Associate Manager (UC4)
Phone: (773) 405-0505
(Office location – 1151 W 15th St – UC4)
The Building Group:
Main Office: (872) 255-9900
Patty Madden
Property Manager (UC1/UC3)
Office: (872) 255-9902
(Office location – 1071 W 15th St – UC3)
Farah Muhammad
Assistant Property Manager, CAM
Office: (872) 255-9900
Direct: (872) 255-9901
Email: UCSupport@BuildingGroup.com
(Office location – 1071 W 15th St - UC3)
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What is included in the monthly assessments?
Water, trash, sewer, common insurance, internet, cable and use of common elements.
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What are the common elements of the HOA?
Bike racks/rooms, dog runs, party rooms, gyms and pool. The HOA also takes care of all landscaping on the grounds, which is award winning.
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What day is garbage day?
Each building has trash rooms and a trash shoot at the end of the building. The trash rooms are located near the lobby of the building. Trash is picked up on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
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I want to throw away large items such as a coach or bed. What should I do?
Contact the appropriate management office and they will provide instruction. There is a fee per item associated with placing items in the trash that are large.
The Building Group is the management company for Buildings 1, 3, 4, and 6.
Phone (all hours): 872-255-9900
Property Manager: Jessi Mertz - jessi@buildinggroup.com,
Assistant Property Manager: Shana Dorsey - shana@buildinggroup.com
Associa Chicagoland is the management company for Buildings 2 and 5.
Phone: 312-255-5415
After hours emergency phone: 312-944-2611
Property manager: Donna Ciota - donna.ciota@associa.us
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What are the gym hours?
Gym hours vary by building, but in general are 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
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Does the Gym Have WiFi?
Yes, it does, and the password is internet.
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What are quiet hours?
The buildings observe 10 p.m.-6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday the buildings observe midnight-6 a.m.
Please check your rules and regs to confirm your buildings quiet hours
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What are the pool hours?
In general the pool is open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Hours are 10 a,m,-8 p.m. during the summer. After Labor Day, hours are shortened based on lifeguard availability
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What do I need to go to the pool?
Only residents of the unit are allowed to use the pool for free and must bring their pool fob and sign in.
Guest are allowed with a fee and your limited to two guests per unit
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Does the Pool have WiFi?
Yes, it does, and the password is internet.
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How do I rent a party room?
Contact the appropriate management office for information.
The Building Group is the management company for Buildings 1, 3, 4, and 6.
Phone (all hours): 872-255-9900
Property Manager: Jessi Mertz - jessi@buildinggroup.com,
Assistant Property Manager: Shana Dorsey - shana@buildinggroup.com
Associa Chicagoland is the management company for Buildings 2 and 5.
Phone: 312-255-5415
After hours emergency phone: 312-944-2611
Property manager: Donna Ciota - donna.ciota@associa.us
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What is the fee to rent the party room?
This fee varies from building to building but, in general, fees range from $150 to $200 for four hours of use with an additional two hours of setup and two hours of takedown.
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What is included in the party room rental?
Each party room has tables, chairs, coat room or coat rack, full kitchen and a bathroom. The kitchen features a stove with an oven, refrigerator and sink.
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Can anyone rent the party room the same day as me?
No. Party rooms can only be rented by one person per day.
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What do I do if the party room is rented for the day I want it?
Ask management if the other person has fully completed paperwork or if they cancel to be a backup.
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How do I rent the movie theater (seats 28)?
Contact The Building Group.
Phone (all hours): 872-255-9900
Property Manager: Jessi Mertz - jessi@buildinggroup.com,
Assistant Property Manager: Shana Dorsey - shana@buildinggroup.com
Additionally, you can book amenities using your Concierge Plus account through The Building Group.
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What is the fee to rent the movie theater?
Currently it is $50 for four hours.
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What is in the movie theater?
The theater rental includes the following:
28 seat theater with Apple TV, DIRECTV, DVD player and streaming options. The DIRECTV is all channels including premium channels.
Full kitchen use is included which features a stove, oven and refrigerator.
There are also two bathrooms in the building to use as well.
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I am going to move in. What do I need to do?
If you have purchased or are renting you must fill out a building move packet and hand into the building. All moves are to be scheduled 10 days before your move date.
Once you have completed the paperwork, the building will allow you to move in. There is a fee to move in and an elevator hold fee.
If you do not schedule your move out or in you can be fined by the board of directors.
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What are move hours?
Moves can be scheduled 8 a.m.-noon or 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Moving before or after hours can result in a fine
Moves are Monday to Saturday. No moves on Sunday
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What are the rental rules for University Commons?
Each building has a rental cap and the number of rentals must be below 35%. Investors or owners should check with the office to see if they can rent their unit. There is a waitlist in several buildings that are over the limit.
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What is the cost to rent my unit?
The building charges fees to the landlord to rent the unit. Renters also must pay a move in and move out fee to the building as well.
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Can I AIRBNB?
No AIRBNB and no short term rentals.
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Can I rent a room to a roommate?
Yes you may but you should register your roommate with the office to let them know
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What is the length of a lease?
A Lease must be one year in length.
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Does the HOA have cable or internet packages?
Yes. Each building has their own package and contract. Internet speeds range from 50MB to 100MB.
Cable package is DIRECTV Extra Choice
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Can I upgrade my cable or internet?
Yes. You can pay for more channels, premium channels and higher speed internet.
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How do I communicate with my neighbors?
There are several ways to connect with your neighbors including the TownSq app for Building Five owners. You can also join the University Commons Neighborhood Association (UCNA) group on and the University Commons Chicago group on Facebook
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What does the HOA do as a community?
The HOA members hold many events in the area including the holiday egg hunt in the spring, 4th of July activities, fall fest in the fall and various other activities including food trucks on weeknights or weekends for residents.
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Where do residents go to get food and groceries?
There are several options near the HOA to obtain food and there are seven grocery stores within 1.5 miles of the HOA.
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What do residents love about the area?
Click here to meet your neighbors & Many residents enjoy the proximity to downtown and all of the green space.
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What is the sense of community?
The community has a variety of members and a variety of activities for residents.
Residents give back through community clean up days, holiday events and annual fundraisers to help others in need in Chicago.
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What is the makeup of the management staff and onsite staff?
Each building has a janitor and there are three engineers for the buildings as well to handle engineering and larger projects.
Buildings managed by The Building Group have a full time property manager, assistant property manager and office secretary.
Phone (all hours): 872-255-9900
Property Manager: Jessi Mertz - jessi@buildinggroup.com,
Assistant Property Manager: Shana Dorsey - shana@buildinggroup.com
Buildings 2 and 5 have a full-time janitor and full-time property manager.
Phone: 312-255-5415
After hours emergency phone: (312) 944-2611
Property manager: Donna Ciota - donna.ciota@associa.us
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Who is responsible for the roof?
Who is responsible for the roof?
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Who is responsible for the roof?
Contact management right away to inform them of the leak. Leaks that occur can be from roof or facade or from your neighbor.
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Who is responsible for windows?
Owners are responsible for frames in. If the frame has an issue or broken seal, the HOA will handle. Owners are responsible for broken glass or springs.
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Who can fix my broken window?
The only approved vendor is:
5800 N. Northwest Hwy.
Chicago, IL 60631
Office: 773-774-6400 x12
Fax: 773-774-6506
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What is the cost to fix windows?
It varies and is best to have Softer Lite Window Company review.
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I need a garage door opener. What do I do?
Contact your management company.
Currently all buildings but Building Four use garage door openers. Cost to replace is $50.
Building Four uses an RFI system and cost is $20 to replace.
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I lost my fobs. What do I do?
Contact the management company and they will turn them off.
Building Five does not have a fob system and all keys for common areas are purchased through the management office.
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How do I replace my pool fob?
Contact The Building Group
Phone (all hours): 872-255-9900
Property Manager: Jessi Mertz - jessi@buildinggroup.com,
Assistant Property Manager: Shana Dorsey - shana@buildinggroup.com
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I locked myself out. What do I do?
You should provide a copy of your key to the office so, in case of emergency, they can get in.
In addition to reaching out to the office during business hours, you may contact a locksmith for after hours.
The HOA does not have a preferred locksmith, but many use Mike G. He can be reached at 1-708-769-5059.
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How do I get packages?
Many of the delivery companies have access to the buildings and packages will be left in the mail area.
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How do I get food delivered to me?
When you register with the building, your phone number will be imported into the call box at the front door.
Food delivery providers will be able to dial you and, by pressing #9 or #6, you can buzz them into the building.
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I lost my mailbox key. What do I do?
There is a $75 replacement fee from the office and it can take several days to get a new copy.
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Who is the plumber to call?
The HOA does not have a preferred plumber, but many residents have recommended Ethan at ES Mechanical, who can be reached at (773) 307-6171.
You can also check the University Village Neighborhood Association (UVNA) Facebook group for additional recommendations.
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Who is the handyman to call for small projects?
The HOA does not have a preferred handyman, but many residents when asked on TownSq and Facebook have recommended Octavio at OMS Remodeling, who can be reached at (630) 615-9202.
You can also check the University Village Neighborhood Association (UVNA) Facebook group for additional recommendations.
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Who is the landscaper to call?
The HOA has a contract with Semmer for landscaping and snow removal.
You may not plant additional plants on the ground, so any plants you want must go through the HOA for approval. Any flower boxes you plant you must take care of. HOA does not take care of them.
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Who is a remodel company to call?
OMS Remodeling has worked with several residents in the development. They can be reached at 630-615-9202.
Other general recommendations can be asked via the University Commons Neighborhood Association (UCNA) group and the University Commons Chicago group on Facebook
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Who should I contact for renters or homeowners insurance?
The HOA does not have a preferred insurance agent. However, members of the community recommend Ryan Wahlheim with State Farm. His office number is (630) 541-6350
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