Blue Rock Property Management

Blue Rock Property Management offered to go to the owner to ask for an early release for the tenant from their leaseBlue Rock PM NEVER offers to release a tenant from their lease without a written approval from the ownerAfter a conversation with the owner to discuss the matter, I was informed that the well was now on-line and is providing a good water flow to the homeI called the tenant to discuss thisShe said that she didn't care that the water issue had been resolvedThey wanted to break their leaseI indicated that it may not be so easy as the owner had just spent almost $30,to get the water to them.I encouraged them to stayShe said that she would discuss it with her husbandThe next thing I saw was an e-mail from the Revdex.com regarding a complaintThe complaint misrepresented the facts.Though the tenant's may have had a conversation with the owner where they were given a verbal release from their contract, Blue Rock never received any knowledge of thisAlso, the work on the new line from the well, that is about 1/of a mile away, had begun before the tenants gave us a day notice of their intent to leaveA day notice to vacate does not release a tenant that is two months into a one year leaseI will continue to try to work with the tenants and get them a release but, as always, I need approval from the ownerThe tenant has not provided a written document from Blue Rock offering an early termination because we never issued one. They are also ultimately responsible for the repair of a custom made, electronic entry gate to the property that their guest damagedThe most recent bid is over $5,We are hoping that their guest's insurance company will cover the repair

I am rejecting this response because:

On June 29, we received an e-mail from the complainant that she wanted to terminate our management agreements on two properties we managed for her. Her notice was short and very much to the pointThat’s all we needShe indicated that she would like to hear from us IF a more formal
notice was requiredIt was not. On July 7th we received a day notice, via e-mail, to terminate the lease from one of the tenantsThat notice was forwarded to the owner on July 14 (see attached), three weeks before the tenant’s move-out dateWhen the tenants moved in, we charged the tenant $1200/monthThe CURRENT market rent for that home is just UNDER $1200. The owner had given her approval for one dogWe charge the tenant an additional depositAs early as November of last year, the owner, through her gardener, had discovered that the tenants had two dogsWe were never able to confirm any more dogs despite the owner’s allegationThe owner complained that she didn’t expect to hear about dogs from her gardener instead of her property manager though it is common for a gardener who is at the property and in the yard twice per month to know about dogs at a house before we find out. We don’t do annual INSPECTIONSWe do, however, do walk-thru’s at least once per yearThis does not result in a formal report unless we find that the tenants have been abusing the propertyWe also rely on our vendors who visit the property to let us know of issues they know we would be interested in…another common practice. It is also not unusual for a tenant to point the finger at the property manager when the owner discovers damage that might otherwise be charged to the tenantThe owner describes a vinyl clad cabinet door that was peeling and looked badIt isn’t likely to be vinyl, it is probably enamel paint that was painted onto a cabinet door whose surface was not properly preparedThis can result in thick peeling years laterThe contractor merely peeled the rest off the door in an effort to make it look a little better until the owner decided what she wanted to do with the cabinets. The tenant reported a leaking sink which was fixedShe says the wood floor was damaged from the leaky sink and then said it was due to a leaky refrigeratorDue to the damage that can be caused by water leaks, we treat water issues as a priorityThe first line against water damage is the tenantThey are required by our lease agreement to contact us as soon as possible of any water issues so that we can mitigate any damageWe NEVER tell a tenant not to worry about it. I had a conversation with the owner todayIt seems that we will be able to settle this complaint to our mutual satisfaction in the next couple of weeks as she has time to sort through her invoices and I return from a honeymoon. Best Regards, *** ***, CPMBroker, Blue Rock Realty, Inc.CA BRE Lic#***TX TREC Lic#*** Blue Rock Property Management*** *** *** *** *** *** ** ***

It is true that the tenant did not initially have sufficient or reliable access to water from the well forThis potential was unknown to us and the owner as the home had previously been vacant and the well didn't have the same demands on itIt was being shared for landscape and cattle at the time
The tenant's complaint, however, leaves out some important informationThe owner had indicated that he was willing to run water to the home from a well he had approximately 2,feet from the homeThat well is a very good water producerWhile the water line was being run at a cost of approximately $30,000, the owner had water trucked in at a high cost to himThe coordination of that effort was not perfect, but the owner tried to do the right thingAt no time did Blue Rock Property Management or the owner refuse to get water to the tenant as the tenant has statedAlso, Blue Rock never promised that they could get out of the leaseI told them that without a reliable source of water, I had a very good chance of convincing the owner to let them out of the leaseThe tenant, who had been communicating with the owner directly while he was at the acre property getting the water line installed, was aware of the water line installation and the fact that it was almost finishedIt is unfortunate that the tenant had to endure this situationIt is also unfortunate that the truth is yet another casualty

I am rejecting this response because:I was told I could terminate the lease early. I know they tried to do the right thing. I don't think this was malicious. I just want to be able to leave in peace. I don't care about the cost of the well. That is not my responsibility, nor should it be used against us when trying to leave. The house should have been in better condition before it went up for rent. It was uninhabitable for two months, since we signed the lease. We were deceived and we want to leave. The long-term repairs to the house were made AFTER we stated that we were leaving and got approval from the owner himself and [redacted] from Blue Rock. We said we are leaving. We gave ample notice. [redacted] said we could leave early. [redacted] (the owner) said we could leave early. Blue Rock is going back on their word, and what we are requesting is not even to be compensated for those months where we could not live in the house we were renting, but simply to leave without being charged exorbitant fees. Wash our hands of this horrible mess. It's the least that can be done.

Review: Blue Rock Property Managment, was managing the rental of two houses on my behalf. Due to my career in the military I needed a Property management company that would manage my property/s whether I was in the local area or deployed. I was immediately drawn to Blue Rock's claim of professional services & commitment to integrity and consistency. I have been a loyal customer of Blue Rock since 2012. Initially, Blue Rock did a great job. In March of 2014 I asked Blue Rock to manage a second property on my behalf. I received no expert advice on what to charge for rent and as a result I was profiting less than I had been for the previous 10 years. Needless to say, I was not happy that Blue Rock didnt conduct a market analysis and provide me with sound advice. A month later, I was informed by the gardener that the tenants in one of the properties had 5 dogs and that they had destroyed the plants and irrigation drip system. This was the start of my concerns with the management of my properties. I did not expect to be hearing from my gardener as opposed to Blue Rock concerning issues with the property. I addressed the issue and requested a copy of the annual inspection conducted of the properties. I received only one in 3 years. The same thing occured with the 2nd home. When I called to address these issues, the rep asked me what she should do and then I didnt hear back until months later. Fast forward, I emailed my 30 day notice to terminate my contract with Blue Rock on 6/29 w/ no response. I followed up the end of July with a phone call. 7/29 I received an email with agreements, contact info. on the tenants and a 1-line sentence letting me know the tenants in one property were moving out 8/8. I had no idea. When I did the walkthrough I discovered that the tenant was very disgruntled w/ Blue Rock and that multiple issues brought to light by the tenant had been ignored or haphazardly repaired by Blue Rock. These incl but not limited to; floor damage from fridge leak, loose toilet,patched-up fenceDesired Settlement: I would like to request reimbursement for the cost to repair multiple items that were either ignored by Blue Rock or repaired haphazardly: *Surface on kitchen cabinet drs(*2)-contractor simply peeled off the rest of the vinyl where it was peelingKitchen sink water-damaged floor-contractor repaired sink but not floorWater-damaged floor due to refrigerater leak -tenant told not to worry about itLoose, leaky toilet-repaired but left looseDebris removal on side of the houseFence Repair-patched

Business

Response:

On June 29, 2015 we received an e-mail from the complainant that she wanted to terminate our management agreements on two properties we managed for her. Her notice was short and very much to the point. That’s all we need. She indicated that she would like to hear from us IF a more formal notice was required. It was not. On July 7th we received a 30 day notice, via e-mail, to terminate the lease from one of the tenants. That notice was forwarded to the owner on July 14 2015 (see attached), three weeks before the tenant’s move-out date. When the tenants moved in, we charged the tenant $1200/month. The CURRENT market rent for that home is just UNDER $1200. The owner had given her approval for one dog. We charge the tenant an additional deposit. As early as November of last year, the owner, through her gardener, had discovered that the tenants had two dogs. We were never able to confirm any more dogs despite the owner’s allegation. The owner complained that she didn’t expect to hear about dogs from her gardener instead of her property manager though it is common for a gardener who is at the property and in the yard twice per month to know about dogs at a house before we find out. We don’t do annual INSPECTIONS. We do, however, do walk-thru’s at least once per year. This does not result in a formal report unless we find that the tenants have been abusing the property. We also rely on our vendors who visit the property to let us know of issues they know we would be interested in…. another common practice. It is also not unusual for a tenant to point the finger at the property manager when the owner discovers damage that might otherwise be charged to the tenant. The owner describes a vinyl clad cabinet door that was peeling and looked bad. It isn’t likely to be vinyl, it is probably enamel paint that was painted onto a cabinet door whose surface was not properly prepared. This can result in thick peeling years later. The contractor merely peeled the rest off the door in an effort to make it look a little better until the owner decided what she wanted to do with the cabinets. The tenant reported a leaking sink which was fixed. She says the wood floor was damaged from the leaky sink and then said it was due to a leaky refrigerator. Due to the damage that can be caused by water leaks, we treat water issues as a priority. The first line against water damage is the tenant. They are required by our lease agreement to contact us as soon as possible of any water issues so that we can mitigate any damage. We NEVER tell a tenant not to worry about it. I had a conversation with the owner today. It seems that we will be able to settle this complaint to our mutual satisfaction in the next couple of weeks as she has time to sort through her invoices and I return from a honeymoon. Best Regards, [redacted], CPMBroker, Blue Rock Realty, Inc.CA BRE Lic#[redacted]TX TREC Lic#[redacted] Blue Rock Property Management[redacted]

Review: We rented a house from them that did not have reliable running water due to a dry well (huge health code violation). For weeks at a time within the first two months of living there, we could not: flush toilets, take showers, wash dishes or clothing, hydrate ourselves, or any other task involving water in a house. We informed them of the issue immediately, yet it was not resolved. They said they would "speak to the owner of the house and get back to us" every time it happened, and then they would not call again until I called. When I told them that our lease contract was between Blue Rock PM (the "Landlord") and us (the "tenants"), they continued to tell me that they could not do anything but wait for the owner of the house to make a move to resolve this.Desired Settlement: We are pursuing the "abandonment clause" since the property management refused to provide us with water. We gave a 30 days notice. They then resolved the water problem, but we hd already gotten the approval to move out (weeks before) and are well into the move out process. Now they are trying to charge us ridiculous fees because they "solved the problem," even though it was much after they approved our leaving. They should uphold their promise of early lease termination without fees.

Business

Response:

It is true that the tenant did not initially have sufficient or reliable access to water from the well for. This potential was unknown to us and the owner as the home had previously been vacant and the well didn't have the same demands on it. It was being shared for landscape and cattle at the time. The tenant's complaint, however, leaves out some important information. The owner had indicated that he was willing to run water to the home from a well he had approximately 2,000 feet from the home. That well is a very good water producer. While the water line was being run at a cost of approximately $30,000, the owner had water trucked in at a high cost to him. The coordination of that effort was not perfect, but the owner tried to do the right thing. At no time did Blue Rock Property Management or the owner refuse to get water to the tenant as the tenant has stated. Also, Blue Rock never promised that they could get out of the lease. I told them that without a reliable source of water, I had a very good chance of convincing the owner to let them out of the lease. The tenant, who had been communicating with the owner directly while he was at the 160 acre property getting the water line installed, was aware of the water line installation and the fact that it was almost finished. It is unfortunate that the tenant had to endure this situation. It is also unfortunate that the truth is yet another casualty.

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because:I was told I could terminate the lease early. I know they tried to do the right thing. I don't think this was malicious. I just want to be able to leave in peace. I don't care about the cost of the well. That is not my responsibility, nor should it be used against us when trying to leave. The house should have been in better condition before it went up for rent. It was uninhabitable for two months, since we signed the lease. We were deceived and we want to leave. The long-term repairs to the house were made AFTER we stated that we were leaving and got approval from the owner himself and [redacted] from Blue Rock. We said we are leaving. We gave ample notice. [redacted] said we could leave early. [redacted] (the owner) said we could leave early. Blue Rock is going back on their word, and what we are requesting is not even to be compensated for those months where we could not live in the house we were renting, but simply to leave without being charged exorbitant fees. Wash our hands of this horrible mess. It's the least that can be done.

Business

Response:

Blue Rock Property Management offered to go to the owner to ask for an early release for the tenant from their lease. Blue Rock PM NEVER offers to release a tenant from their lease without a written approval from the owner. After a conversation with the owner to discuss the matter, I was informed that the well was now on-line and is providing a good water flow to the home. I called the tenant to discuss this. She said that she didn't care that the water issue had been resolved. They wanted to break their lease. I indicated that it may not be so easy as the owner had just spent almost $30,000 to get the water to them.I encouraged them to stay. She said that she would discuss it with her husband. The next thing I saw was an e-mail from the Revdex.com regarding a complaint. The complaint misrepresented the facts.Though the tenant's may have had a conversation with the owner where they were given a verbal release from their contract, Blue Rock never received any knowledge of this. Also, the work on the new line from the well, that is about 1/3 of a mile away, had begun before the tenants gave us a 30 day notice of their intent to leave. A 30 day notice to vacate does not release a tenant that is two months into a one year lease. I will continue to try to work with the tenants and get them a release but, as always, I need approval from the owner. The tenant has not provided a written document from Blue Rock offering an early termination because we never issued one. They are also ultimately responsible for the repair of a custom made, electronic entry gate to the property that their guest damaged. The most recent bid is over $5,000. We are hoping that their guest's insurance company will cover the repair.

Review: I recently applied for a property with Blue Rock Property ([redacted] to be exact) and [redacted] told me that I got denied because of credit scores were low. I told her it was wrong because I got a different score than her results. I then got a copy of my credit score and emailed it to her then she wanted a full report so I also got that also a week later. I also had my roommate apply (co-signer)for the same property and She said she would look into mines and my roommates application. she gave us the run around for a bit and She then said we got denied again because of insufficient income/proof. mind you not she also said I got denied twice but I only applied once. I feel that they/she is discriminating.Desired Settlement: I want a refund for the 3 applications that we submitted ($90).

Business

Response:

On Wednesday, September 9th 2015, we held a showing for [redacted]. The applicants, [referred to below], were scheduled and attended this a showing at the property that day at 11:15 AM. Initially, there were 2 applicants for [redacted]- they applied as co-applicants.They submitted applications on Wednesday, 9/9/2015 – the applications were submitted that afternoon following the showing they had attended.I received the applications on Thursday, 9/10/15 and emailed applicants #1 and #2- stating that they were received and that I needed the last 3 months in paystubs from each of them in order to begin processing the applications.Following that email, I received income documents for applicants #1 and #2.While sorting the applications on Thursday, 9/10/2015- I noticed some information was mixed up so I emailed applicant #1 and confirmed the necessary information.Once I had all the information sorted out and confirmed as correct- I began processing the applications as I do for all others.On Monday, 9/14/2015- I ran both applicant #1 and #2’s credit reports through our program and both reports showed that neither applicant met our required minimum FICO credit score of a _620_.Following the credit report results- I emailed both applicants #1 and #2 to inform them that their applications had been denied due to insufficient credit scores. I stated, at this time there are no other compensating factors that would lead usto approve your application for the property you’ve applied for. [*Initial denial]On Wednesday, 9/16/2015- applicant #1 emailed me asking: “even if applicant #2 had a credit score of 632, was the application process based off of my- [applicant #1]- credit since applicant #2 is the main applicant and applicant #1 is the cosigner?” For the record, their applications were processed equally- as in, no one stated that either would be a “main applicant/ co-applicant”.Following that email from applicant #1- I immediately replied stating that since neither applicant met the required minimum credit score, [of _620_], that we could not approve either of their applications.I clearly stated that at least one applicant needed to meet our main two requirements of- a minimum credit score of _620_ , as well as make 2.5 times the amount of rent in income each month that we can verify.In reply to my email, applicant #1 stated that they had run their own credit report on applicant #2 and that the score was a _[redacted].The applicants asked if I could re-run the credit report for applicant #2 and I explained that since it would be through the same program- that I would yield the same results. I asked applicant #1 if they would be able to send me a full copy of the report that they had pulled up- and stated that if they did- that I could ask my broker if we could take a look at it and try to help them out.On Wednesday- 9/16/2015, applicant #1 sent over a snapshot of the report from a mobile device. This snapshot only showed the name of applicant #2 as well as the credit score of _637_-, but not the rest of the report. Their report had beenrun through [redacted]. Since my broker was out of the office I had to wait to speak with him about even considering this report as a part of our decision to give the applicants another chance. On Thursday, 9/17/2015- applicant #1 checked in to see if I had any updates on considering this new credit report.I replied back 10 minutes later- after informing her I was unable to get a hold of my broker I stated: “please keep in mind, since we did previously deny you for this property, that we have received new applications and they are being processed. I cannot guarantee anything, but I will be happy to still check into it for you and speak with him.”On Friday, 9/18/2015- applicant #1 checked in again asking if I had been able to speak with my broker. I had not and told them that I would let them know as soon as I was able to. (the broker was flying to Hawaii).On Monday, 9/21/2015- I emailed applicant #1 stating that: unless I could receive a full copy of the report that showed the new credit score, that I would be unable to approve them based on that at this time. I informed them that there were still discrepancies on the credit reports that I had originally pulled up and that I still needed to take all of that into account. I also mentioned that both of them- [applicants #1 and #2]- were just barely meeting the income requirement with combined income. I reiterated that I still could not guarantee anything and asked again for a full copy of the credit report they had pulled up.Again, I stated that unless I could receive that full report that I would not be approving their applications based on the credit requirement not being met. Following my email to applicant #1, they responded asking if giving us a higher deposit would be possible to be approved. They also asked if paying off the debt collection would help and stated that they have been trying to get a printout of the credit report but had been unsuccessful and that they would try again.I replied to applicant #1 stating that we don’t accept higher deposits usually and that again, if we could not get a full report that we would be unable to accept their applications again to consider for a second time.On Tuesday, 9/22/2015- I was able to speak with my broker about this situation and he stated that we would not be accepting their applications at this time for that property. I emailed applicant #1, reiterated what my broker said, and stated that we would not be accepting their applications at this time for that property. I also explained that it was due to the initial credit report findings as well as not having received a full copy of the report that the applicants had pulled up themselves. [*Second denial]On Wednesday, 9/23/2015- I received an email from applicant #1 stating that a “family member” was interested in the [redacted] property and were wondering if it was still available.I promptly replied and explained that, due to a large number of applications having already been received, we were not showing it at that time but the family member was: “…more than welcome to call ands speak to us directly about it and we can get their contact information written down. That way, if/when we do continue to show that property, that we could get them out to go view the home.”On Wednesday, 9/23/2015- the application for applicant #3 was submitted. On Thursday, 9/24/2015- I received another email from applicant #1 stating that they had someone who had put in an application that would be “room mating” with them.My response to this email was explaining our requirements for having the roommateapply: -With roommate situations of 3 or more tenants, we require at least 2 of the roommates to meet our requirements. So, your roommate would need to have a minimum [redacted] credit score as well as bring in at least $2250 a month in income that we can verify [the $2250 being 2.5 times the rent amount in income]. This also goes for one of the two of you- which at this time I was not able to approve based on the credit scores I got from the reports. Unfortunately, seeing as I have denied you twice up to this point, if your roommate does not meet those requirements and you cannot show a full credit report with the "[redacted]" score on it- then I won't be able to accept your applications again. After I sent that, I received a response from applicant #1 stating that now it wouldonly be applicant #2 and the new roommate [applicant #3] to live in the home-if approved. Applicant #1 would no longer be living with them.I responded to applicant #1- stating that since I could not get a full copy ofthe new credit report from them that I would have to base our decision off ofwhat OUR report showed us. And that had already been determined as a denial ofrenting the [redacted] property. Then I clarified, with applicant #1, that they [being applicant #1] would not beliving in the home, whatsoever, if approved and that ONLY applicants #2 and #3would be- if approved. I again reiterated the requirements the roommate neededto meet and stated there would be no exceptions if said requirements were notmet. Applicant #1 confirmed with me that ONLY applicants #2 and #3 would, in fact, be livingin the home if they were approved. After that, applicant #1 and I emailed back and forth twice about getting the fullcredit report in that showed the _637_ credit score. Applicant #1 askedif faxing it over would be possible and I stated yes- then gave them the faxnumbers. I again, reminded them that I could not guarantee that even with aroommate that they would be approved. I asked them to please keep that in mindand that the requirements HAD to be met by the roommate and the full reportneeded to be sent in- if they wanted us to think about considering it. Applicant #1 then responded attempting to clarify the requirements that the roommate wouldneed to meet- stating: “from what I am understanding the roommate only has tomeet the credit score and income alone, it’s not combined income?”I then responded stating: “I have denied you twice, so yes, the roommate has tomeet both of those requirements- no exceptions. That is just to be consideredfor any approval. There is still no guarantee of approval once I receiveeverything though. I just want you to keep that in mind.” The evening of Thursday, 9/24/2015- I received an email from applicant #2.Applicant #2 was wondering why they were denied “twice” before when they hadonly applied once. They recalled the email I had sent denying them originallybut could not recall the second email where I stated we would not be acceptingtheir applications [after the new credit report was mentioned but not sent tous]. On Friday, 9/25/2015- I emailed applicant #2 answering his questions aboutthe “two” denials for both applicant #1 and applicant #2.“I originally denied you based on thecredit report we had pulled up. That was for the scores of _511_ and _551_.Then you had submitted the cover page of the new report that you had found- butsince you were unable to get the full report in- I was unable to verify it. Ido see that the full report has now been faxed over and I will take a look atit and your roommates application as well to see what we have and if therequirements are met.” On Friday, 9/25/2015- I emailed applicant #3 stating that I had receivedtheir application and requested the last 3 months in paystubs to be sent in. Iinformed them that until I received the income documents that I could notprocess the application.Shortly after I emailed them- I received the income documents needed to verify income.The income did not meet the required 2.5 times the amount of rent in incomeeach month. On Monday, 9/28/2015- I emailed applicant #3 informing them that theirapplication for the [redacted] property had been denied due to insufficientincome. I stated, at this time there are no other compensating factors thatwould lead us to approve your application for the property you’ve applied for. [*Third denial]Following my email to applicant #3- applicant #2 emailed me asking me to explain thedenial for applicant #3.I explained to applicant #2 that, in each previous email, I had stated that ifapplicant #3 did not meet both of the main two requirements that I would notaccept the application. I explained that applicant #3 did not meet the income requirement, therefore, Iwould not be approving any of the application for this property. Again, I said:“at this time there are no other compensating factors that would lead us toapprove your application for the property you’ve applied for.” Applicant #2 responded stating that it was their understanding that “is was supposed tobe applicant #3’s with applicant #2’s as a co-applicant”. [I am assuming thatmeans they believed the applications would be connected in that sense].Applicant #2 also stated, again, that they did not understand how I had deniedthem “twice” previously.I responded to applicant #2 explaining everything you have previously read- [allwritten above]-in a short summary. I then asked that they please understandthat at this time we would not be considering their applications for thisproperty. Also, that there were no other compensating factors that would leadus to approve them at this time.Applicant #2’s response to that was a demand for application fee refunds and stating that this complaint would be filed.We will not refund the application fees as it is made on our web site where the applicant applies that the fees are not refundable if we process the applications and credit/background reports. We did.Tell us why here...

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because: