PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Getting screwed by Prop. Mgt-what to do?

Jason Beal · #1 12-17-2004, 01:43 PM

OK I bought my home in SLC Utah a 3.5 years ago. House was in ok shape, no real problems. Just old and needed updating. In the time I lived there I finished the basement, and updated the entire home to new.

I moved back to Fla for work and kept the home as a rental handing to a prop. mgt co. Interviewed them, and everything seemed good.

I am very pleased with the tenant they found, but that is about it.

Every month they take something out of the rent that needed to be 'repaired'.

First month they claimed the drain for the washing machine was too low and they had to attach another pipe for the water to drain. When we moved in the washing machine (came with) worked fine, and our new one worked fine. Never had a problem.

Next month claimed the roof leaked down into the home. In the 3 yrs I lived there it never leaked, and for good reason, the shingles were just put on before we moved in.

Next month we get a call that says the hoses under the kitchen sink blew out and they had to replace the spicket as well. I called back and informed them that I had just put new hoses AND a new faucet in before we left. He then called back and said "Oh that was another home, sorry we misbilled you". Not billed.

Now this month we get billed for "garbage disposal coming loose, had to replace" which I can't believe, isn't that glued/cemented in?

And!!!!! A note at the bottom that said "pipe freeze to front lawn spicket. Are in process of repairing. Will take out of next months rent."

Now I will add that we sat at the table I specifically asked about this. We asked him when the house would be winterized so no pipes would freeze. He said he'd winterize by covering the swamp cooler, removing hoses etc etc.

So....if it really did freeze, isn't he liable for the cost?

I am so sick of dealing with what I think is a complete rip off artist. I want to keep the property and mgt it myself, but I won't be back in SLC for at least 3 more years. So now I have to find another prop. mgt company until then. Right now though, I have to deal with this guy who is turning my property into a loss every month.

I will also say that the entire time I lived there nothing happened. Nothing. No leaks, frozen pipes, or anything. All work I did on that house update it and finish the basement. Now all of a sudden, it's one repair after the other.

Where should I start? I really want to contact the tenants under the guise of a survey. Maybe listing all the problems and asking if they were dealt with promptly. I feel helpless since it's 2300 miles away and I really can't get out there until after April.

Any advice would be appreciated.