DeKALB – A new landlord has come to town and bought dozens of apartments and townhomes within the Annie Glidden North neighborhood in DeKalb.

Neil Khot, one of the owners of new landlord Barrington Plaza Realty, said he has a small property investment in Schaumburg and this is his first investment in DeKalb. He said he came to the city initially after seeing Huskie Ridge Apartments for sale listings but later became aware of other units for sale through GRT Apartments.

“So we started a good four to six month negotiation,” Khot said.

According to property transaction records, GRT Apartments LLC sold apartment and townhome units at 802, 809 and 820-822 Edgebrook Drive and 814, 820 and 816 HIllcrest Drive to Barrington Plaza Realty LLC for $6 million earlier this year.

Khot said Dave Grant, one of the owners of GRT Apartments, maintained his units well and that was what initially attracted him to the prospect of buying the about 70 units.

“Our goal is not going to just buy the property, keep the money and run,” Khot said.

Grant could not be reached for comment from the Daily Chronicle.

Khot said he didn’t know a lot about the Annie Glidden North neighborhood until after he closed on the sale at the end of January.

Regardless, Khot said he isn’t overly concerned about the crime issues in the area and is reassured the city is taking interest in meaningfully addressing those issues. He said signs of that earnest are already showing, with the city currently working to install better street lights in the neighborhood.

“We have seen that they are doing their due diligence,” Khot said.

He said he personally is making sure building door locks work, he is keeping the properties’ camera surveillance system and is installing brighter parking lot lights.

Khot said he’s under the impression the issues in the area mostly come from neighboring properties, naming Hunter Properties as an example.

“My focus is to make sure our properties … don’t resemble the neighboring properties,” Khot said.

Khot said landlords can’t do everything to help with the issues surrounding the Annie Glidden North area. He said he think city resources being used responsibly will help the situation as well.

“Our goal is to be there for the long term,” Khot said.

DeKalb City Manager Bill Nicklas said it’s his understanding Grant will still own properties in other parts of the city, just no longer in the Annie Glidden North neighborhood.

Nicklas said he’s working to meet with Khot to talk about the framework of the common rental lease the city has been working on. Following the city’s good relationship with Grant, Nicklas said city officials are looking forward to meeting with the new owners and managers.

“Hopefully they are good stewards to their tenants and we have a good working relationship,” Nicklas said.