I would like to stress this EVERYTHING I AM POSTING I HAVE PICTURES OF, EMAILS, PHONE CALL RECORDINGS.. Im trying to figure out what is legal and what is not. I contacted a lawyer in MD but because I live out of state its very time consuming to go over items if there is zero legal problems with what is happening that is why I am posting items here, so i know what is legal and what I should be concerned with...
My house is also 10 miles south of where they normally work with, but I was told that my house would be an easy rent because of the shape it was in.
My tenant sent me the before pics and a letter stating that none of the repairs were done or were not done right, I took after pics about 3 weeks after the repairs were "done"
Before seeing them or talking to them any further I would suggest you first go to your rental property since they now know that you are aware of work they billed you for but not being done and verify for your self that the work was not done and get pictures too of your own and then proceed.
I understand a markup but 400%-500%?? That seems to meet the definition of price price gouging, excessive or exorbitant, more than the normal average price.. 400% meet that? again MD does not have a law regarding that unless i was reading old information.
You can sue for what you feel you are out. It sounds to me like your total complain is for less than $1,000. If that's true, then I doubt this matter will put them out of business.
This has been with this property management company (PM) for 5 years now, never questioning anything for 3 1/2 years. The first bill I questioned was an HVAC bill, PM sent maintenance for my ac's units. Unit A was good unit B needed repairs. $220 total.. sounds fair. Less than 24 hours later HVAC was called out again because unit A went bad. Again, a charge of $220? Both units were serviced 24 hours earlier for $220! How is it possible tHVAC was called out 24 hours later to look at a unit they just serviced. HVAC didn't replace 1 part and the total was $220 the same as the day before when they fixed 1 unit and serviced the other? When I called PM asking that question, it fell on def ears and PM did nothing.
When my last tenant moved out in June 2016, i requested to be there for the walk through. PM cancelled Friday and Monday appointments, then completing it on a day when i could not make it. I did a walk through the following weekend and noticed 26 1-2" holes around the house (from metal wall anchors), painted 2 rooms without written permission and accidentally packed nearly $500 worth of items (was told that husband had cancer and they needed to move to FL for medical care ASAP). I also noticed that PM sent out maintenance (checking if it was the alarm guy) to repair a leaking shower. Maintenance applied white caulking half way up the corner on a tile/grout shower! When i contacted PM the owners son came over and said "yes this is excessive, no we didn't give them permission to paint, i'll have to look into that". How did PM inspect my house 4 days earlier giving it a thumbs up now its excessive? After this happened I started looking at my bills from PM and noticed other items that seemed odd. On Jan 11, 2017 her son emailed me stating that they have charged this tenant for items that "the judge would not have allowed that repair to have been a security deposit deduction". This email was sent to me 5 months after they moved out and after PM kept the deposit for the repairs!
A year or so before that i paid PM $1300 to do an initial walk through, on a unit they do not manage (condo) and to complete a final walkthrough inspection. PM completed the initial walkthrough but never did the final inspection, (I told PM I did not have to be there for it) When i called to see if PM completed it so i can return the deposit, PM told me no they did not know the move out date. I took a screen shot of my text to the owner and where she confirmed the move out date (dec 31, 2016). (MD has a 10 day window to get this completed). I called for the second time asking when they were able to complete the final inspection they told me they could not because they had other items going on. I paid $1300 in advance and they did not complete the job.
Around Oct/Nov I questioned a bill for $250 to clean the house. (this bill was charged to my old tenant) The wood floors sticky, bathrooms were untouched, counters had dust coving them. I ended up having to clean the house. When I asked about that I was told they have been working with them for years and they do a good job. again not addressing my concerns.
This is not just happening to me, a friend looked over his records and have noticed questionable charges, $125 to "reattach" a gutter spout, no parts were needed just "reattach" it. The contact clearly states in section 12 "that ANY repair needed in which it is necessary to send a service person to the property... the tenant is responsible for the 1st $50." So the maintenance guy was paid $175 to "reattach" 1 gutter spout? Thats 2 nails/screws and NO stepladder! This house is located 5-10 miles from his office
Come to find out, this repair guy was the same repair guy who quoted me $250 to replace 6 smoke alarms but charged PM $440 that they paid. This is also the same repair guy PM sent out that charged me $234 to complete 9 items. 7 of the items were NOT touched. 1 item was to replace 1 3" white, Lowe's basic contractors pack, outlet cover. It was replaced with 1 4" BEIGE cover that was a different style and one bathroom door latch was removed than replaced with drywall screws, now it strikes the bolt when the door closes. The items he did not do
replace filter in basement
tighten ceiling vent
adjust 2 bedroom door latches
sand the top of a door so it will close (door still does not close.)
replace toilet paper holder
replace broken shower drain (he did put a cover there but it is the wrong one and it floats up when they are taking a shower)
clean basement drain/steps of leaves (I did it when I went to the house)
Maybe because my friend and I both live out of state so we are not able to get down here and check if the repairs were competed correctly or if they were completed at all and PM is rubber stamping invoices. I thought that is what i was paying them $236 a month +$2500 first month rent, to do for me.
