Berger Realty Inc.

Provided that a check has not previously been sent, a check will be sent for $4.00 tomorrow.

Review: They failed to provide a clean rental unit. As a result, I was out the time and money spent on cleaning supplies and a shower curtain. I was assured by their agent, [redacted], that I would be reimbursed for the expense of the shower curtain which I provided a receipt for, and I was never reimbursed. I emailed and called [redacted], emailed and called her manager [redacted] and emailed and called the owner [redacted] about this. I still have not been reimbursed.Desired Settlement: I want to be refunded what I was promised.

Business

Response:

Provided that a check has not previously been sent, a check will be sent for $4.00 tomorrow.

Review: I rented a vacation property through Berger Realty and made the initial deposit. Before the next payment was due, I realized I may have a conflict with the dates and asked my agent about the course of action if I canceled the rental and what would happen with my deposit of $1260.00 to which he wrote to me stating "So sorry to hear this. Let me give the owner a call.

Typically if a tenant has money on a property, we do our best to get it re-rented.

If re-rented, the owner send us the initial deposit and then we send that back to you. We would only hold the processing fee of $60.

If it does not get re-rented, then the owner holds the initial deposit. I don't see there being a problem with it being re-rented, but we will do our best.....

Thank you,

Licensed Sales & Rental Agent"

Before the rental time I inquired about the status and if I could keep it if it wasn't re-rented or if I could do a partial week etc. I received the response:

"Hey [redacted]-

Thanks for checking in. The property was re-rented 2 days ago.

It was rented with another agency. We are just waiting until the money gets to the owner, then the owner will send us a check for the amount you initially paid.

It should be the full amount minus the processing fee.

I will let you know over the next few days where we are in the process.

Thank you,

[redacted]"

This was in August and after several attempts since to retrieve my money I get this:

"I assure you it is not fraud. You paid your initial deposit and then backed out of an executed contract.

Whether the property was re-rented or not has nothing to do whether you receive your deposit back.

That is based on the owner's discretion, and is something we encourage based out of good faith but not guaranteed.

The owner has the option to lower their rate to mitigate their ltheir losses, making your deposit non-refundable."

If this had been told to me in the beginning I may have never chose to cancel. I was told I would receive the total amount.Desired Settlement: Since I was told I would get my full refund minus the processing fee when I asked about the process, this is what I should receive. If it had been explained to me that I would only get a partial or NO refund, I may have kept the rental or discussed other options. I have full written correspondence for review. I would like the complete amount of $1200.00 mailed immediately which would be the $1260.00 deposit minus the $60 processing fee.

Business

Response:

The decision to return money on a canceled rental is entirely up to the homeowner, not Begrer Realty. This has been explained to the tenant on numerous occasions. Berger Realty does not feel that there is any need for additional response on this matter.

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because:

I communicated with your business strictly by email. Please provide me with the emails that stated that a refund is the responsibility of the homeowner when I asked about the cancellation policy. This was only mentioned to me after I repeatedly asked the status of my refund that the agent wrote I would receive. If you state this is what I was told, I would like the emails containing this information. I am happy to provide my entire correspondence with your agent.

Business

Response:

I have also read the emails. The decision to refund money is entirely up to the owner. The deposit is the property of the owner, not Berger Realty. The owner is in possession of your deposit. We have tried contacting the owner to determine the status of any refund and the owner has been unresponsive. Berger Realty is not making the determination that you are not receiving any money back. We were also not paid a commission on this rental. There is nothing else Berger Realty can do at this point. This is our final response on this matter.

Review: Leased property on [redacted] Avenue through Burger Reality the week of 8/29-9/5/15. While there we had several issues with the property. These issues were reported two times during the stay and none of the problems were addressed during our stay. There were many issues with our stay. Minor-ish is advertised the parking for three cars when it was only for two (false advertising), telephones did not work, elevator telephone did not work and learned this when our disabled family member got stuck in the elevator. The largest issue was the back door would not lock. The house was open during the day and during the night putting my family and two other families safety and well being at risk. We tried to "[redacted]" the door but we could not get it to lock. I requested a $300 refund ($100 for each family). I was informed by Berger Realty that is was a minor issue and that nothing would be done about it. I've tried to speak to them about their stance and have not receive any communications or feedback. I have given them ample time to do something about my complaint prior to my making this complaint formal. I go to Ocean City each year for my family vacation. I do not go with the intent of putting my family at risk. I am certain no one at Burger Realty leaves their doors unlocked when they go to work or go to bed at night. Why was I expected to? Why wasn't the issue addressed or recognized timely. Complaint ID [redacted] was previously filed but determined invalid because it was in the name of my wife, [redacted]. I, [redacted] was the individual whose lease the name was in.Desired Settlement: I have two goals. First is a refund of $300.00 ($100 for each family that risked themselves, their children and their possessions each day). Second is for Berger to stop advertising that the house has amenities that it doesn't. There is not parking for three cars at this property. I consider this false advertising

Review: We rented [redacted]. in Ocean City, NJ, for the week of May 25, 2013, through Berger Realty. When we arrived for our vacation, workmen were replastering the ceiling in the master bedroom. Personal belongings were strewn about & pornography was left in the bedroom. A drawer was missing from the end table. The toilet on the main floor wouldn't flush. The kitchen and floors were filthy. The ice maker was full of something that looked like flour. We were told that scheduled cleaning had been attempted but the winter tenant was living there and it was not done. We searched through the closets for pillows and bed coverings. There was no DVD player (2 were advertised). We'd brought dinner ready to put in the oven, but we couldn't get it to work, and ended up leaving for the evening. The advertised 2nd kitchen had no faucet or drain and the stove was not hooked up. Cleaning and realty employees were in and out for the first 2 days of our vacation but much of the maintenance was never addressed. By late Sunday evening, when the last cleaning lady left, we began to enjoy our vacation despite there being no water to the outside shower, only half of the light bulbs working, the jet tub not working, and having no cable connection for the large TV downstairs. Our contact agent, [redacted] was sympathetic & helpful, but didn't answer our email listing our complaints and asking for a partial refund. I followed up with a phone call later, & he said he had forwarded our list of complaints to the owner, but had received no response to our request for a partial refund. Additional emails were sent to the listing agent, [redacted], who claimed no responsibility. We then emailed the company owner and the chief broker but received no response. [redacted] says that the agency is not responsible for the cleanliness or condition of the house, and that it is illegal for him to give us any contact information for the owner of the house or their management company.Desired Settlement: We would like to have Berger Realty take responsibility for not providing us with the clean and functional property that was advertised and refund us $400 for messing up the first 2 days of our vacation.

Business

Response:

This should be resolved.

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

W have received a check for $400 from Berger Realty and appreciated you help in this matter very much!