FPI Management, Inc.

Review: Several issues with this management company:- money hungry (now charging their residents water/sewer/trash) in order to help residents conserve water. At first was included in rent; then it was 80/20 split (80% residents); and now, it's 90/10. However, they don't tell or enforce their properties any water conservation techniques and are still allowing their properties to constantly water their lawns).- another money hungry: constantly increase their residents rate at each property based on "market value" with absolutely NO resident loyalty!!- When asked questions based on "their" practices, constantly point fingers at someone else - usually the property office but sometimes the owners and claim their "hands are tied"!!!Desired Settlement: - Making the residents #1 at each of their properties.- refunding ALL of the "admin fees" charged to residents by the company that bills the residents for the water/sewer/trash - I think it's called Comptrol.- refunding ALL of the fees charged to the residents for using the online pay system!!- communication to ALL residents as to what is going on either via Facebook page for each property or via notices on the doors

Business

Response:

Thank you for your concern in regards to your living experience at [redacted]. We apologize if you feel your stay with us has been an unpleasant one, as we strive to provide a community our residents are proud to call home. An introduction to resident utility billing flyer was included with each renewal letter sent 45-60 days in advance of your lease expiration. As we’ve previously discussed, Utility Smart bills [redacted] residents for their water, sewer and trash. Utility Smart is a third party billing service hired by [redacted] to reallocate the property’s utility costs back to the residents. Please note, Utility Smart is not the retail service provider of these utilities and is not affiliated with the property or property management company, aside from being our billing service provider. Monthly utility charges are based upon each resident’s proportionate share of the property’s overall expenses, including common area expenses. Water is not based on your actual consumption. The property’s overall expense is divided by the total square footage of all occupied units and the total number of occupants to determine a cost/ rate per square foot and per occupant. These rates are then multiplied by each unit’s size (square footage) and number of occupants to determine that unit’s charges. Because of this method, charges will vary from unit to unit. In addition, the charges billed back to Resident’s are based off 90% of the actual bill the property receives monthly. The property’s overall expense for Sewer and Trash charges is equally divided among all occupied units on a flat rate per unit, per occupied day, basis. Our apartment homes do not have individual meters, which is why residents do not receive unit specific utility bills for water, sewer and trash like for [redacted]. We have engaged with the 3rd party billing company to help assess a reasonable portion of the total bill to their apartment home. With our water restrictions limited watering to two times a week a 10% common area deduction is more than reasonable for the property watering and the other common area water sources (pool, showers). Many properties are actually reducing the common area deduction to 5% due to the drought restriction. It is not an unreasonable request by management to ask that our residents pay for a service they are utilizing. We truly appreciate your opinion on your experience here at [redacted], and look forward to assisting you in the future. [redacted] Director [redacted]