Bob Firestone & Company, Real Estate

Review: This a issue with the deposit that we paid upfront with no problem. But after we moved out, we found that they had a problem with the way the house was left. Just a disagreement at this point. We are trying to work it out , to be fair to us all,we are talking. So it isn't to bad,as of now. The issue is really the meaning of the words "normal wear and tear" , basically, what is normal. WE believe that all apts that are for rent should be painted by the landlord after the last person leaves. Two years time with children and 2 dogs(which we paid for monthly)(no problem with the dogs). Two years time you expect that the hse should be painted. Pinholes is just insane that they don't think people hang pictures? That is normal usage. If anyone else has a deposit problem with Firestone and would like to know. As of now, we have just heard (not proven) that other tenants had problems also. And I think all work should be done by a contractor that has insurance. We used a carpet cleaning company that Firestone said that they use. We had them do it and it look great but now they are saying that they had to redo a room because it was still a stain on it. Nobody notice it but them. The cleaning company didn't mention anything wrong with any stains. He did notice a problem with a small odor which his nose picked up. We had him recommend something and we paid extra and had it done. Now they are trying to bill us for it. Like I said, we are talking now but I want a record of our complaints. Somebody has to look after the small people. I really can't do much since my wife is retired and I am on disability. Any money that I get back is like a fortune to us. Thanks for filing this and I will get back to you when and if it is handle by the both of us. No need to make this public at this time. Thank you for your help. [redacted]Desired Settlement: Would like some of my deposit returned and no action required at this time. Just for Revdex.com info only. We are talking and no need yet but I would like to have this filed with Revdex.com and not the public yet. WE will see in the next few weeks what happens and I will get back with this complaint and give you an update. Thanks again [redacted]

Business

Response:

In regards to the recent complaint from [redacted] regarding their rental of our property on [redacted] from May 13,

2011 through May 31, 2013, we have attached all the documentation necessary on

this transaction to address their complaints. It includes:

·

The move in/out inspection report

·

The signed paper showing where they were given a

copy of our “typical move out charges”.

This document gives examples of charges if damages are found after move out along with their typical cost.

·

The Move Out report that was sent to them once a

full inspection was completed

·

The Move Out charges that details what was charged for each item

In regard to their concerns regarding the peeling paint and

their fear of Lead Poisoning, the house was built in 1998. This is well after 1978 when paint with lead

was no longer used. The paint cracked due to direct sunlight, but was peeled off by the tenants themselves. We made several

attempts to schedule having the door re-painted beginning in January 2013 but

were always put off by the tenant until they finally asked for us to wait until

they had moved out. I have the e-mail

communications for proof if necessary.

Again though, there is no worry over lead paint or lead poisoning.

In accordance with the [redacted], there is no

requirement for a landlord to paint a property when a tenant vacates. The

entire home had been freshly painted prior to their move in – as noted on their

signed move-in inspection [redacted].

The [redacted] had only been in the home two years and, in this instance, the entire home

had to be re-painted after they moved out due to the excessive abuse to the

walls [redacted] With the

quality of paint that had been used prior to move in, with normal wear and tear,

there should have been no need to do anything beyond a touch up. We had the ability to hire a professional

painter to take care of the home, but instead did the work ourselves in order

to keep the costs down for both parties.

$590 ended up being the charge for repainting the entire 1,500 sq. ft.

house and they were given a credit of $233.23 to allow for normal wear and tear

charges. That brings the total charge to

them to only $356.77 for painting five rooms and two hallways.

The tenants are referring to “pinholes” that they are being

charged for. In fact, they are actually excessive

nail holes; large gouges in the walls, depressions in the sheet rock, as well

as a multitude of poorly patch large holes in various walls by the tenant [redacted]. There were also large

patches of paint worn completely off the walls, walls that had been spray-painted

red, and places that had large splash marks on them from some sort of sticky

liquid [redacted]. None of

those items fall under normal wear and tear.

The lease they signed calls for the carpet to be

professionally cleaned at least annually and then again at move out. Receipts are supposed to be provided to our

office. We simply gave them a

recommendation of a company we have used successfully in the past. We in no way required them to use that

company. They could choose any company

they wanted; they simply could not use a rented machine. Even a

professional company may not be able to get out all stains as is the case in

the carpet at this home [redacted]. As noted on the move in inspection [redacted] there were no previous stains on the carpet.

We are concerned about the [redacted] continued claims of

injury after they vacated the home.

Previously, after vacating and receiving our charge letter, they claimed

that [redacted] injured herself falling down the steps in the home yet, they

never reported anything to us directly.

They are now claiming injuries due to the “poor workmanship on the stone

path” to the house. There was no stone

path to this property. The walkway was

simply large slates recessed into the ground.

This claim was also new, never reported, and only brought out now they have sent a letter to the Revdex.com.

To recap, we feel we addressed all of their concerns during

their tenancy in a timely manner. We were disappointed with the condition of

the property at their move out and have not inflated any charges resulting from

damages during their tenancy. In fact, not only did we elect not to charge for all the items on the move out inspection, we also adjusted charges so that they would not have any additional monies owed

beyond their deposit.

Sincerely,

Bob Firestone & Company

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the offer made by the business in reference to complaint ID 9631620, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

Once again they don't tell the whole truth. Normal wear and tear is just that!As for the wall, anything on the walls were from headboards and from bed spreads. The carpet was cleaned and done well. As for the accidents , we both have medical so we don't need to sue anyone and we give a fair shake to most people. But not the Firestones. Which we have heard about how they never give back any deposits. So you can ask them for past charges to other tenants. Most likely no one got any money back. Such are the Firestones. As you see they didn't charge anything about our pets which we had to pay rent for and also a pet deposit. If no animal damage was done, then WHY did they keep that deposit? That are the Firestones. . The stone walkway was not RECESSED in the ground but were basically just sitting on the dirt which makes for high ridges. TRIP hazard! They changed it after we left. I wonder why? That is enough for now and I would like to have this go in front of a panel and let them make the call on what is normal use. Thank You