FirstKey Homes Reviews (168)
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FirstKey Homes Rating
Description: Property Management Companies
Address: 1850 Parkway Pl SE STE 900, Marietta, Georgia, United States, 30067-8261
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It’s horrible I haven’t had hot water for five months my air conditioner was out for three months my lease ends August 1 they sent me a move out preparation list I am supposed to paint or scrub the walls in every room of the house the exterior of the house I’m supposed to scrub and clean the driveway I’m supposed to scrub and clean the walkways I’m supposed to scrub and clean highly recommend everyone to stay clear of this Company
I actually got a human being on the phone when I called, despite other reviews. As soon as I gave her all my info, pets, income, and even my credit score, she very excitedly gave me info about the home, as well as the leasing agent's name and contact info (Joseph Kowsky, no response to emails or calls thanks! ), and encouraged me to "pre-apply" (coming soon home) because "I fit their criteria". I applied that night, even though she could not tell me the difference between applying, and pre-applying.
Identical to a reviewer below (Linda) in about 24 hours I received notification that I was denied solely on credit, but my credit does not have an inquiry from FirstKey. My verifiable income is 4x+ the $1415 a month, iQual score that matched their "criteria" is a 606 (not great but not terrible). We have over 4 years at one home as a rental reference where we had never been late or missed rent, no evictions, no judgments, and no bankruptcy.
According to FK's website they depend solely on "SafeRent" to make application decisions:
"The SafeRent Score is determined from an analysis of information found in each applicant’s consumer credit report, application, and previous rental histories (if applicable). Consumer reports may include but are not limited to payment history, bankruptcies, number and type of accounts, collection activity, outstanding debt, and credit inquiries. In addition, the scoring process includes income-to-rent ratio, eviction records, and subprime credit records."
It's very clear that their explanation of how they utilize SafeRent is completely false and erroneous. If they did indeed take all factors into account, they definitely did not with my application. My credit was not run, my landlord was not contacted, my employer was not contacted (even though I included my pay stubs), and they ran no records check for criminal/liens/judgments. I fought for our country as well, but it's obvious this big corporation only cares about the small minority of "privileged" individuals that made it out of COVID with perfect credit.
FirstKey DOES NOT take any other factor into account other than your credit score, there also is a very good chance that they simply discriminated against me because I have an ESA (emotional support animal) for PTSD and by law, they can't charge me a pet deposit or the "double-dip" that they do taking a deposit AND charging more monthly rent per pet.
MY BIGGEST ISSUE: Before I received their "decision", the house I PRE-applied for had the rent raised from $1415 to $1925 monthly on their website. A non-shady company would have given the $50 back to me, informed me the asking rent has been changed, and given me the option to continue with my app (I wouldn't have for $1925). Instead, they took my money and just denied me.
The bottom line, these nationwide property management companies are out for money only, they don't care about the neighborhoods they come into and swallow up properties. Their directives are to deny applications as much as possible because it is profitable. I can guarantee that FirstKey makes more money in ONE day from application fees made from denials than most people make in a month, or even a year, and they just keep getting greedier!
SafeRent and other BS software applications create tenant screening algorithms that enable racial and disability discrimination on a massive scale and contribute to broader patterns of injustice and social inequality (see examples). Google, "property management embezzlement" and observe the thousands of companies and cases currently being adjudicated that are mirror images of FirstKey, and it's on the rise since COVID. Don't be the prey for these predators!
I wanted to follow up, my earlier post. I have been looking into further information regarding FKH and SafeRent.
On SafeRent Website they state the following information:
1. "Did you know? The criteria to accept or decline an applicant are established by the property and/or its corporate headquarters, not SafeRent Solutions.
***We only provide our clients with consumer reports that they use as a tool in making their decisions to accept or decline applicants."
Funny, on FKH website they state the following information:
1. "Denied Applicants may dispute any wrongful record claims by contacting CoreLogic Rental Property Solutions and following the process as outlined in their action letter and CoreLogic."
2. "Each applicant is required to provide two years of residency history. Any outstanding debt and/or judgement owed to any prior landlord may result in a denial. Prior evictions, filed or enforced, may result in an automatic denial of the application. We may request rental verification if rental history cannot be verified."
----FUNNY THEY DIDNT EVEN VERIFY/CALL MY PAST RENTAL HISTORY!
3. "The rental scoring process provides an objective and consistent review of relevant applicant information for real-time approvals or denials of applications. CLRPS uses a rental score resulting from a mathematical analysis of information found in the Applicant’s consumer credit report. "
A. "The score is derived from a number of factors including payment history,
number and type of accounts, collection activity, outstanding debt, inquiries,
income-to-rent ratio, previous eviction records, and subprime credit records
otherwise known as SafeRent Score. "
FUNNY NO WHERE IS THIS SO CALLED SCORE -- EXPLAINING HOW OR WHAT IS EXACTLY THIS SCORING. THEY TRY TO SAY IT IS FROM A NUMBER OF FACTORS-- HOWEVER, EACH FACTOR DOESNT EXPLAIN OR GIVE HOW THEY USE OR WHAT IS USED OR DETERMINED TO BE AND/OR RATED AND GIVEN THAT SCORE!
Thank you so very much! This just happened to me, yesterday. I am going to contact the BBB along with contacting my attorney. I have requesting this so called report from SafeRent, to see what was reported. No one can explain nothing regarding this so called scoring point system that is used. SafeRent stated to me they do not approve or deny any applicant, they are only there to do a back ground check and pull credit history. Strange how I have a TS Clearance and I got denied! This whole RENTAL MARKET/MGMT is out of control. Over inflated rental pricing and now taken money away from those looking for a home by picking and choosing whom they want to rent to. Very, Very SAD!
Same experience I had, all these companies are scamming. You apply pay all these fees and never here back anything from them. I have paid almost $1000 in these so called “fees” and received no refunds or call back. I finally figured out these companies are scamming people.
A couple of hours later when my husband went in to upload his documents,the price of the home had been raised 400.00. Again, when I called today and spoke with customer service, I was told we were the only applicants.
Now I understand the market is currently in a bit of a supply and demand crisis, however, there is much to be said about being honorable and ethical as a property management organization.
I called to try and insure our rate would be honored. The realtor agreed it should be but First Key had other plans. They refused to do so and cited "We want to keep the rate where it is since we have leased comparable homes in the area..." They obviously know they can get more and were more than willing to price gouge the only applicant they had.
Although I can understand business is business, To blatantly let the consumer know they are more interested in making a few extra bucks and "sorry not sorry" is pretty unethical and just greedy. Their pricing coordinator has absolutely no tact, no grace or communication skills.
This was an absolute gift. If they exercise this kind of behavior in the initial stages of an application, I imagine there would be more negligence and undesirable business tactics to be expected had we signed an actual lease. Stay away from this company if you are looking for a home.
Un professional
Dirty pool
Refused to accept our service animal paperwork
Never paid rent late
I will make sure this company is punished for there actions
They are taking advantage of common citizens
But let’s get to the current problems. Since we have moved in our hot water heater randomly turns off, yes I can go into the attic and hit the reset button to restart but when you really want a hot shower you really want a hot shower. I know multiple maintenance techs have been out to look at it, but how many times can you replace the thermostat or turn down the heat of the water heater. Iit is almost like no one keeps notes, keys them into the system, or reads the past history before coming to fix anything.
Then at the beginning of this year, our garage door quit closing completely. The job was outsourced to a third party vendor, whose idea of setting an appointment was calling the morning of and asking if anyone is going to be home. When we were finally able to meet at the house, they didn’t ask to move the cars out of the garage and proceeded to bang the metal fixturing for 15 mins before leaving, and yes it did finally close all the way. That is up until last week, when the garage door wouldn’t open at all. And no there isn’t a cord for me to pull and manually open the garage, which I would have seen and noticed had we actually had the virtual walk through with this company like we asked.
So all of this to say, last Friday 03/25 I called the maintenance phone number and asked for a maintenance supervisor. Apparently this company doesn’t have the means to transfer or give out other departments phone numbers but can instead take a form and submit it to whoever is supposed to see. Well fast forward to 04/01, I still have yet to hear from the maintenance supervisor from last week. I called back today and placed my number in the que, that didn’t work and this afternoon after which I am sure they called and answered the 10 people in front of me, I called back. Once again told the system isn’t set up for someone to speak with a maintenance supervisor but a form could be taken and submitted.
I decided to google the Memphis office so I could finally speak to someone who works in the Memphis area and not from a remote location. The office showed they were open until 530pm, I arrived at 520pm and the office was completely empty. Apparently it was a short day for everyone.
So here I sit maybe I will have hot water tonight, maybe I will have to reset the water heater again. Maybe I can get my cars out of the garage, maybe not. I am so upset that we actually renewed our lease with this company of incompetent, poorly ran management and even worse “maintenance techs” who do just enough to fix it for the moment.
I was also denied. I never received a letter or notification. I had to call them several times and leave several messages before I finally received a response. Over 700 credit score and make more than the required amount have a denial. They explained Safe Rent Solutions are to the ones, I need to speak with. Contacted Safe Rent they informed me they did not see anything that would hinder my denial but a 90 hospital bill that's due. Wait what! They also stated that they are not the one's who make the decision They just report what they find, smh Ex Cilivian Contractor for gov. Something is fishy here.. I'm so curious to know what's going on? I'm a great tenant to have, and I have past background Secret Clearance beyond this and I'm denied. The home is still on the market price has fallen 4 times since it posted on their site 48 days ago. I will call them Monday morning to get more clarity. This is definitely absurd and needs to be rectified immediately!
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THIS RIGHT HERE. I was also denied because of credit but my husband has almost a 700 credit score. They promised me my money back for the application then hung up on me several times and refuse to return my calls. What a big big scam.
They offered to let me use the application fee towards another home. Absolutely not!
Horrible company with no customer service and no integrity.
After applying for a rental house with FirstKey Homes a week ago my application has been bouncing back and forth between "Pending" and "Denied' without explanation. I have been trying to call the main number for days but after being on hold for 30 minutes it would disconnect my call. The number I received for the property manager just goes straight to voice mail and he does not return my calls. E-mails go unanswered as well.
After finally speaking to a person in the call center during my 6th attempt, I was told that there is some kind of computer glitch causing problems with my application. He gave me the phone number for someone called Jesus who should be able to reset my application and resolve my issue. This person however does not answer his phone and there is no voicemail set up.
All I can assume is that this company scams people out of the application fee without ever actually processing anything. It is a true shame, because the house was absolutely beautiful.
I asked my real estate friends if they were familiar with the company. I thought it seemed odd that First Key owns the majority of great rental homes in Missouri. Many of them have been on the market a long time which is odd in this market.
What I uncovered was alarming! First Key is allegedly paying cash above listing price to buy homes across the area. They are saturating the rental market with their homes. People apply online, paying $49 for each person that will live in the home. The applications are denied and they keep the money. They are likely raking in thousands a week on each home in denied application fees. The home I looked at has been on the market for almost two months.
I’m turning First Key into my state’s Attorney General. I suggest you do the same. They shouldn’t be able to get away with this.
They did the same thing to me. The home was priced WAY under market value to entice people to look and apply. It's been on the market over 77 days. I'm a realtor, have good credit and no bad rental history. I hope someone steps in soon. This behaviour shouldn't be allowed
Hello, Wow I really wish I would have read all these reports about this company prior to getting scammed! I just went through the same thing. I can not believe this company is still doing this. Was wondering if anything happened when you turned them in to your states Attorney General?
My boyfriend and I moved into our house with First Key in August 2021. On September 22nd, our electric was shut off. We called every phone number we had to reach First Key multiple times, but never got an answer. My boyfriend and I both had work that day, and the temperature in our house was dropping. I was unable to get ready for work, make myself food, or charge my phone. Knowing that First Key wouldn’t answer the phone or help us resolve the issue before it got dark out and even colder, I called the City directly to find out why the electric was shut off. They informed me that the bill for June/July 2021 (when we hadn’t even moved in yet) was not paid, and that First Key was sent multiple notices that the electric would be shut off. He said I would have to pay almost $200, which included the late bill and the fee to have the electric tuned back on. I paid the bill and was told I should put the account in my name, so this doesn’t happen again. After sending all the proof to First Key to get reimbursed for this, my boyfriend got an email from them saying we are ineligible for reimbursement because I put the account into my name, so they aren’t responsible for the bill. I, again, sent them proof that it wasn’t changed into my name until AFTER I paid THEIR late bill. We have now been waiting for answers and have gotten none. It is so ridiculous for them to say we are responsible for a bill when we hadn’t even moved in yet. We had to deal with our electric being shut off for a full day because of their incompetence. This happened AGAIN when the trash company refused to take our garbage, saying that an account had never been set up for us.
In addition to this, we have been living with mold on our ceiling in the kitchen since September! Maintenance inspected it on September 20th and told us that we need a new roof ASAP. I am very allergic to mold, and First Key keeps denying the bid to get it fixed. It is now January, and they haven’t approved the work order or taken any steps to get rid of the mold.
Lastly, good luck trying to get a hold of a property manager. In the 5 months we’ve lived here, we have been given at least 4 different phone numbers for property managers. Any time we call any of these numbers, we leave a voicemail that is NEVER returned. Any time we call the main phone number, they tell us there’s nothing they can do and that we need to talk to our property manager. When we tell them we’ve never gotten our calls returned, they just keep telling us they can’t help.
Sorry for just randomly replying, but I am in a similar situation in regards to maintenance issues. After getting NO WHERE locally, I just contact https://www.cerberus.com/our-firm/locations/ - the owner of first key, and they are escalating my concerns to contacts that are not available to us as tenants. Hopefully this will trigger a response Local Office and you are able to get resolution.