Alliance Management Group, LLC

Initial Business Response / [redacted] (1000, 8, 2015/11/10) */ Tenant spoke with the property manager and then called our Fargo office about giving notice to vacate due to the sexual assault that was committed in their unit. One of the tenants would not return to the unit, the other tenant had been... arrested. We expressed how sorry we were to hear of their situation. Tenants were in a lease through 4/30/16, it was explained that a lease is a legal binding document and we cannot just release tenants. The decision made, under the circumstances, allowed the remaining tenants to vacate by the end of October with an improper notice. It was understood they would be responsible for October rent and the re rental fee. If the unit was re rented earlier, they would receive pro rated rent back. We were able to re rent the unit, tenant offered and gave an incentive to the new tenants moving in. Our procedure and policy remains the same for all of our properties; we require that the necessary paperwork be completed and submitted along with the application fee and security deposit. Once an applicant is approved, (by an outside source) the lease becomes binding and the security deposit check is then processed. All of our managers are trained as such. When the check arrived at our office with a note asking to hold it we contacted the manager and informed her we could not hold it and she would need to contact the tenants and let them know. Processing the security deposit check takes the apartment off the market and allows the new tenant to move into the unit. We sent out an email reminding all of our managers that we cannot and do not hold anyone's security deposit. The manager responded that she felt bad for the tenants and offered to hold the check. The tenant called our office a second time about the check in question, our procedure was explained to him and that we do not and cannot hold any security deposit check. We apologized about the misunderstanding and also informed him that our manager is new. He then began to criticize our company and our training. On the bottom of the application one of several questions asked is: "Have you ever been convicted of, or plead guilty, or no contest to a felony (whether or not resulting in a conviction)?" Also on our application is: "you warrant that neither you nor any member of your household: a)have any charges pending awaiting disposition or looming in anyway; b) have any criminal charges in the process of being filed or awaiting filing by any government entity; c) have been involved in any activity that may result in an arrest or criminal charges. You agree that if tenancy is accepted and any criminal charges are later learned of by Landlord, that Landlord may immediately terminate your tenancy by eviction and you will be responsible for all costs incurred to enforce eviction." We feel the tenants were not forth coming on their applications when they did not explain that there was an open case (pretrial diversion agreement) which involved their son and that he was on probation for 5 years for a sexual assault he committed earlier. The son also did not state this on his application. When a prospective tenant submits a rental application and there is an open case, depending on the status of the case it may not appear when a background search is done, however it may appear later. A police report was requested in order for the tenants to be released from their lease. This documentation was needed in their file as to why we rel3eased them from their legal obligations. They submitted paperwork from the State's Attorney instead. We work closely with Police Departments in each city where we have property. Our managers and staff have taken classes from the various Police Departments and all applicants must sign our drug & crime free addendum when completing the paperwork. Confidentiality is important and practiced in our company and among our managers. This situation was treated with the highest degree of confidentiality. The case was made public in the Dickinson Press and not by our company or manager. We understand how difficult it must be for the victim, however we have not discussed this with other tenants. As is our procedure, the security deposit has been processed and sent to accounting with pro rated rent, minus the re rental fee and any damages. This has been done in a timely manner according to ND State Law. We feel we have treated the tenants with respect regarding this situation and have been fair to them in all respects. Initial Consumer Rebuttal / [redacted] (3000, 10, 2015/11/10) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) In regards to the company's stipulations for arrests. I stated as in their own contract state's : open,pendind or awaiting any kind of court ruling was already done prior to lease signing. I'm not trying to save my step son. I was told flat out that I lied on his behalf and I would have to pay extra. I told them I did not fill out his form, nor did know what the courts decision was. He had his own lawyer and if the company wanted money for someone lying on the lease to go find him at the jail and get their money. The point where I was rude came after I was told to be quiet and listen. This goes back to the training your personnel. If a manager can tell a customer this, than surely it's managers thinks it will be ok as well. I told her she needed to try and train her managers so the next guy, not me, will not be offended. After reading their play on words I would suggest that the upper management needs training as well. What sounds more realistic. Me the customer trying to defend my rights along with my family's privacy or a company skirting the fact that they are Ill equipped in customer relation and overall think they are not wrong. Look if they won't except the fact they have horrible customer service they soon will. A company can only be rude and wrong for so long until they have no customers left . Also regarding the papers they needed to see from the police department, I was advised by the detective that it was too early in the case and it was still being processed that I could get it from the state's attorney office.just in case they are not aware, the case is still open to this day. Giving specifics on a crime that you are a witness to before trial is not advised. This goes to extended family and especially a apartment complex.

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 8, 2015/11/10) */
Tenant spoke with the property manager and then called our Fargo office about giving notice to vacate due to the sexual assault that was committed in their unit. One of the tenants would not return to the unit, the other tenant had been...

arrested. We expressed how sorry we were to hear of their situation.
Tenants were in a lease through 4/30/16, it was explained that a lease is a legal binding document and we cannot just release tenants. The decision made, under the circumstances, allowed the remaining tenants to vacate by the end of October with an improper notice. It was understood they would be responsible for October rent and the re rental fee. If the unit was re rented earlier, they would receive pro rated rent back. We were able to re rent the unit, tenant offered and gave an incentive to the new tenants moving in.
Our procedure and policy remains the same for all of our properties; we require that the necessary paperwork be completed and submitted along with the application fee and security deposit. Once an applicant is approved, (by an outside source) the lease becomes binding and the security deposit check is then processed. All of our managers are trained as such.
When the check arrived at our office with a note asking to hold it we contacted the manager and informed her we could not hold it and she would need to contact the tenants and let them know. Processing the security deposit check takes the apartment off the market and allows the new tenant to move into the unit. We sent out an email reminding all of our managers that we cannot and do not hold anyone's security deposit. The manager responded that she felt bad for the tenants and offered to hold the check.
The tenant called our office a second time about the check in question, our procedure was explained to him and that we do not and cannot hold any security deposit check. We apologized about the misunderstanding and also informed him that our manager is new. He then began to criticize our company and our training.
On the bottom of the application one of several questions asked is: "Have you ever been convicted of, or plead guilty, or no contest to a felony (whether or not resulting in a conviction)?" Also on our application is: "you warrant that neither you nor any member of your household: a)have any charges pending awaiting disposition or looming in anyway; b) have any criminal charges in the process of being filed or awaiting filing by any government entity; c) have been involved in any activity that may result in an arrest or criminal charges. You agree that if tenancy is accepted and any criminal charges are later learned of by Landlord, that Landlord may immediately terminate your tenancy by eviction and you will be responsible for all costs incurred to enforce eviction."
We feel the tenants were not forth coming on their applications when they did not explain that there was an open case (pretrial diversion agreement) which involved their son and that he was on probation for 5 years for a sexual assault he committed earlier. The son also did not state this on his application.
When a prospective tenant submits a rental application and there is an open case, depending on the status of the case it may not appear when a background search is done, however it may appear later.
A police report was requested in order for the tenants to be released from their lease. This documentation was needed in their file as to why we rel3eased them from their legal obligations. They submitted paperwork from the State's Attorney instead. We work closely with Police Departments in each city where we have property. Our managers and staff have taken classes from the various Police Departments and all applicants must sign our drug & crime free addendum when completing the paperwork.
Confidentiality is important and practiced in our company and among our managers. This situation was treated with the highest degree of confidentiality. The case was made public in the Dickinson Press and not by our company or manager. We understand how difficult it must be for the victim, however we have not discussed this with other tenants.
As is our procedure, the security deposit has been processed and sent to accounting with pro rated rent, minus the re rental fee and any damages. This has been done in a timely manner according to ND State Law.
We feel we have treated the tenants with respect regarding this situation and have been fair to them in all respects.
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 10, 2015/11/10) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
In regards to the company's stipulations for arrests. I stated as in their own contract state's : open,pendind or awaiting any kind of court ruling was already done prior to lease signing. I'm not trying to save my step son. I was told flat out that I lied on his behalf and I would have to pay extra. I told them I did not fill out his form, nor did know what the courts decision was. He had his own lawyer and if the company wanted money for someone lying on the lease to go find him at the jail and get their money. The point where I was rude came after I was told to be quiet and listen. This goes back to the training your personnel. If a manager can tell a customer this, than surely it's managers thinks it will be ok as well. I told her she needed to try and train her managers so the next guy, not me, will not be offended. After reading their play on words I would suggest that the upper management needs training as well. What sounds more realistic. Me the customer trying to defend my rights along with my family's privacy or a company skirting the fact that they are Ill equipped in customer relation and overall think they are not wrong. Look if they won't except the fact they have horrible customer service they soon will. A company can only be rude and wrong for so long until they have no customers left . Also regarding the papers they needed to see from the police department, I was advised by the detective that it was too early in the case and it was still being processed that I could get it from the state's attorney office.just in case they are not aware, the case is still open to this day. Giving specifics on a crime that you are a witness to before trial is not advised. This goes to extended family and especially a apartment complex.