Grubb Properties, Inc

Dishonesty and lack of integrity from Grubb leadership. Failure to provide compensation after apartment wasn't ready on time, would not return calls. [redacted] were not ready when they were supposed to be, 8/15/14. On 8/8/14, I emailed to ask for compensation for the inconvenience. I received verbal confirmation. Rather than staying in a hotel, I made other arrangements, but they agreed to pay me what they would have spent on my hotel - I told them that I was happy with a check or a deduction out of my rent, and that they could elect whichever one was better for them. In a further effort to be fair, I told management they could compensate me at the rate of the cheaper hotel. I never received any information or update that this would not work. When the apartment was ready 5 weeks later, management ignored the compensation agreement we had discussed, tried to bully me into moving before resolving the compensation plan, and then offered a pitiful alternative at the eleventh hour. This alternative was the same special they were running for new clients who had not been inconvenienced by the delay in opening. When asked about the compensation we had discussed in August, they began to backpedal. They did not share the whole truth. Finally, I received some information from the regional manager. According to her, they received authorization from the owners to to provide compensation, and later, the owners changed their minds (clearly not best business practice for a business that is trying to retain new clients and not at capacity); however, no one could be forthcoming or explain why. After days of leaving messages and being passed around, they went radio silent. It's important to note that both the local leasing manager and the regional leasing manager suggested that I speak with the president of Grubb Properties, [redacted] so that he could hear my side of the story because they both "agreed with me that I was being treated unfairly" but also both acknowledged that their "hands were tied." Repeated attempts to reach [redacted] were unsuccessful. The regional manager kept making claims of trying to "fight for me" but then suddenly stopped returning my calls as well. She promised to update me and to have [redacted] call me, but she did not follow through on either item. Management did not provide the appropriate and fair compensation that they originally agreed upon, the president ignored repeated attempts to have a conversation, and I was left with weeks of inconvenience and no apartment. On their website, Grubb Properties claims to be a company whose first team value is their customers. This is clearly untrue, as is their third team value of integrity. The rampant dishonesty and lack of professionalism is not only frustrating and inconvenient, but it is also unacceptable. I am submitting this complaint for two reasons: to advocate for myself and to prevent others from having the same thing happen to them. I would appreciate resolution and compensation for my inconvenience. What I have experienced is unacceptable and unfortunate, and I do not wish for others to endure what I have been through with Grubb Properties. Desired SettlementThere are three components to my desired settlement:1) I would like to speak with the president of Grubb Properties.2) I would like to be compensated for my inconvenience as originally discussed. 3) I would like to ensure that this doesn't happen to other Durham residents. Business Response The consumer applied for an apartment,and had a move-in date of August 15, 2014 at [redacted] in Durham, NC. The apartment units were still under construction at this time and were not completed for the August 15, 2014 move-in date. We offered residents who were scheduled to move-in by this date an option of a $600 rent credit or to be reimbursed for a hotel stay with receipt until apartment units became ready for move-in. We also paid for the storage of resident's belongings as well as moving expenses for one move. This was communicated to the consumer as in an email dated August 11, 2014. The building became ready for residents to occupy on September 20, 2014. The consumer called on September 19th and said she did not utilize a hotel, but wanted to be reimbursed for the amount of a hotel stay. In the email dated August 11th, it stated that if you did not stay in a hotel the property would offer $600 in a rent credit, pay for storage of belongings and moving expenses. The consumer was not happy with the amount of $600 stated in the August 11th email during our conversation on September 19th. We wanted to try and do what we thought was fair, so we offered the consumer an additional $599 plus free cable at a value of $65 a month for one year. With all discounts this would come to a total rent concession of $1199 as well as free cable for a year which is an additional amount of $780, grand totaling $1979. The consumer declined this offer as well as the use of storage and moving expenses. The rental amount of her unit was $1198 per month. The consumer would have received over a month and a half free in rent. Please let me know if you need me to send the email correspondence between the consumer and the property.

The air conditioning in my apartment has not been working at all the past few weeks, and they refuse to repair it.I have called my apartment complex numerous times, but they are not willing to help. The air conditioning in my apartment has not been working at all for the past 3-4 weeks. It is now in 100 degree temperatures, and they are STILL not willing to help. I've been advised that I could buy a new filter myself to see if that works. Someone has come to look at it and told me that the vent could be tilted (and found that it was not). Long story short, I am reporting them to every avenue I can think of, because this is ridiculous. It has been a heat index of at least 100 degrees every day this week, and my family is in the house sweltering, with no help from the apartment complex. I have spoken with [redacted] and[redacted], who have been no help whatsoever and have yet to escalate my problem.Desired SettlementI want my air conditioning to be fixed due to the extreme temperatures, and the fact that I am paying super high power bills due to a faulty air conditioning unit. I also want to be reimbursed for the difference in my usual power bill, in comparison to what it has been due to the sweltering temperatures. Business Response In regards to the complaint filed against Grubb Properties, our onsite management team was made aware of the residents complaint of no A/C on Saturday June 13. We checked our voicemail system back through May 1,2015 and the resident never contacted our office to report their being an issue with the A/C. Two onsite team members went over to the residents apartment on Saturday, June 13 and upon arrival, the apartment was cool. The resident requested to have the A/C filter changed and the filter was replaced.Onsite personnel held up a piece of paper to the vents to prove that air was blowing out. Our oncall maintenance person received an emergency call on Saturday night at 7:30pm stating that the air was not cold enough. On Sunday, June 14, maintenance checked the air in the apartment and the temperature was reading correct and the apartment was cool.On Tuesday, June 16 the resident called the office and said the A/C was still not working properly. At that time the Maintenance Supervisor and Property Manager went to the residents apartment. The thermostat was set on 68 and reading 70. The residents had the thermostat switched to the "ON" position instead of "AUTO" which would cause the system to run continously causing their electric bill to increase.The Maintenance Supervisor adjusted the vents to force the air downward. Before leaving the apartment, management spoke with the resident at home and advised him to leave the setting to "AUTO."To help keep the apartment cooler, keep the blinds closed.We explained to the resident that due to high temperatures of over 100 degrees and high humidity A/C units will normally reflect a 15-20 degree difference.The resident said it was fine and he had no issue.On that same day, the property manager called the other roommate and informed her that the A/C was working properly and was given a discount since her bill was higher.The resident was given the contact information for our onsite Property Manager if they needed anything else and the residents were satisfied. On Wednesday, June 17, the corporate office received any email from the residents stating that its been weeks without A/C and no one had returned her call. The Regional Manager called the resident twice on Wednesday and on the second call, advised the resdient of coming to community to check the status of the A/C in the apartment. The Regional instructed the resident to call the onsite office directly to discuss the matter but neither resdient called. Once on site on Wednesday, June 17, the Regional and Property Manager went over the the apartment and no one came to the door.The onsite team and corporate office has been in contact with the residents regarding the A/C which is working. Due to the extreme heat, the unit is cooling properly however one resident feels that its not cooling enough.We feel this matter to be resolved.