Hall Associates, Inc.

Review: We began renting a house at [redacted] from Hall Associates in September 2015 when my husband's job for [redacted] sent us to Virginia. After 8 months in the home, my husband's job had required him to make a move down south to [redacted]. As soon as we found out we had to move, I had contacted Hall Associates to find out their policy regarding breaking our lease. I was given paperwork in office that offered 3 options to break the lease. I chose the option that required a $50 "administration fee" and stated that we would be required to find our own sub-lessee to take over our lease or sign a new lease. Once inspection was completed we would receive a refund for our deposit. Our original contract stated that we had to provide a 60 day written notice (even though we wouldn't be in the house for 60 days). I provided a written notice stating that we would be terminating our lease and even though we were giving 60 days notice we would not be in the property that long. I also stated that we had a sub-lessee who was fully prepared to move in upon our move out of the property. I was out of town about a week later when I received a call from Hall Associates stating that a man came in that morning and had provided his completed application and paid his application fee for our property and that he would be considered before the lady I had been working with based on first come first serve policy. This should not have happened based on the fact that the document stated we would be responsible to find our own sub-lessee and for all advertising of the property. I kept contacting Hall Associates with no response and no contact back about trying to get our refund for our deposit ($1500). After speaking with the receptionist over and over again, I was told that a check had been mailed for $400. When I asked why I was informed that we were responsible for the rent until 7/25 even though we moved out and had final inspection on 6/17. I kept calling and explaining why we shouldn't be responsible given the fact that they advertised when it was clearly our responsibility according to their paperwork. Finally, Mr. [redacted] stated he would provide us a refund on our deposit of $1216 which backdated our rent until the end of June. According to him they needed 2 weeks to prepare the house for the next renter even though the house was fully ready to move in immediately. The move-out inspection did not note any damages/repair to be completed. I was told it takes 45 days from the original date of move-out to be issued a refund. So, even though we moved out 6/17 our notice was until 7/31. I have been calling numerous times regarding our refund with no calls back and no answer other than the receptionist who informed me that a check was sent out on 8/4. It is currently 8/24 and no check was received. I have trouble believing the check was even sent seeing as how I was told a $400 check was sent out to me but according to their records they never sent one. Why was I told a check for $400 was sent when it wasn't? Why should I believe that the check sent on 8/4 for $1216 was sent? I still haven't received anything and I've waited long enough.Desired Settlement: I want our deposit refunded to us now. Send a check overnight for $1216 and I'll be done with your company for good.

Business

Response:

I have reviewed the complaint with our people who dealt with the tenant, Ms. [redacted]. We want to apologize for the issues Ms. [redacted] had to deal with. There were internal communication and procedural breakdowns that caused the issue. The communication with Ms. [redacted] was confusing, the different people that did communicate with her at different times relayed information to her that was incorrect, although our people believe it was correct when it was communicated to Ms. [redacted].A check was sent on Wednesday of this week for $1216.67. Unfortunately, the check was sent regular mail and not overnight. The check was already in the mail prior to my investigating the compliant.Again, Hall Associates apologizes for the time and frustration caused Ms. [redacted]. Let me know if there are any questions or any additional steps we need to take.Thanks[redacted]

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.

Regards,

Review: In February 2014 I went to tour a property with Hall Associates. I live out of town, so they told me that they could take a check for an application fee (to show my interest in the property) and I was assured that it wouldn't be cashed until they received my application. Our plans to move to that city changed, so I did not send in an application. One month later, the check was cashed. I noticed the charge a few days later and contacted the business to ask that I get a refund since they never processed an application. After a week of calling, and speaking with several different people, I finally was able to speak with someone who could help me and she told me I could pick up the cash from their office. I reminded her that I live over an hour away, so she told me that a check would be sent. A few days later I had not yet received anything. I was leaving town for three weeks, so I decided I would wait until I got back to see if I had received it by then. After 3 weeks, I still had received nothing, so I called and left a message with the woman ([redacted]) who had told me that a check would be sent. It has been 5 days and I still have not received a call back, or a check in the mail.Desired Settlement: I would like a full refund of the amount of the application fee.

Business

Response:

I have spoken to [redacted] and the problem has been resolved. Our accountant will be cutting a check for Mrs. [redacted] and mailing it to her at the following address. [redacted]. If there is any other information that you need please let me know.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I received the check yesterday and consider this complaint resolved.

Regards,

Review: Hall Associates failed to return my deposit several months after the move out from the property. No walk thru was done despite my repeated requests and the terms of the contract in addition to repeated service requests which at times left me without water or even the use of the 1 bathroom in the unit over a weekend. Multiple phone requests concerning the return of the deposit have been made since August of 2013. The residential team has often failed to answer or return my calls unless to say the check had been mailed on more than one occasion but it obviously had not. After December and contacting who I was told was the owner half of the deposit had finally been returned and I was told that I did not pay my last half months rent which was prorated. I was then told I had to "prove" I paid rent which involved taking more time off work to obtain records from my bank to show this. Once again I was told the check had been mailed by the owner who checked with his assistant and of course it had not been and it to this day they still have part of a deposit that violated Virginia code 55-248.15:1.Desired Settlement: To immediately refund the overdue refund and any interest accrued 4% below the Federal Reserve Board discount rate as of January 1 of this year. In addition, due to the lost wages from work involved with constant attention to this matter a deduction of one half months rent.

Business

Response:

Some of the deposit was with held to cover a balance on her account. Two checks were sent to the customer a few weeks ago. The bank shows that the checks were cashed.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.

Regards,

Review: This Sales Associate/ Realtor "[redacted]" was representing the Seller whom I bought 2 houses from and I had gone back and forth requesting documents for the rental property I was buying and this woman provided me copies of leases and application information of the tenants and the problem with this associate is the lack of experience in handling and type of commercial or rental real-estate this person is completely disinterested of acquiring all the correct and pertinent documents to the right party. For example when a tenant lease/ contract is established at the time of sale all original documents have to be given to the new owner and NOT copied like this Associate [redacted] did. Also recently I reach out to this woman "[redacted]" by email trying to obtain a walk thru sheet of the rental unit in dispute to have just in case the tenant disagrees with me trying to charge him for damages to the property, since the tenant that was grandfathered in before I bought the property and this woman has the audacity to email me saying that all liability is mine and that she will not provide me with any resolution especially after she was the one that emailed me saying that her client told her that tenant is responsible for the damages to the property since his ex-wife kicked in the door and therefore I should take the tenants security deposit to repair the damages. This woman "[redacted]" needs to be re-trained or have someone else in the company handle real-estate rental property sales as she is completely uneducated & unknowledgeable in handling any type of commercial or rental property sales .All [redacted] cared was to make her sales and get her cut, thanks to her I am in a bad because I do not have the even have the original leases in my possession ( I only have copies that [redacted] send me via email ) and in the state of Virginia you are required to have the original lease in case it goes to court. I do not have any proof that the property was in good condition before the tenant moved in.... All I have are emails from this unwitty associate claiming and saying that I have the right to take the security deposit from the tenant to charge for damages.... I may be out completely $650.00 because of this person actions and misleading information. She should be held accountable. I warned this Woman "[redacted]" that if the tenant does not agree with me charging him for the damages she and her client will be involved in this legal matter in court since all the proof I have is from [redacted]'s misleading emails... She will be summons to appear in court since this lease was grandfathered in at the time of sale and she put herself as a witness to what took place prior. Aside from this.. I will never recommend any one I know including family, friends and co-workers to this associate [redacted] nor the company she works for , I would not want anyone to go thru what I went thru because of this incompetent person.Desired Settlement: I would appreciate if I can get the original lease for unit all the units 1335, 1327 and especially 1337 and the walk thru inspection forms on all the units. If this documentation cannot be provided to obtained than it would be fair if the realtors client or the realtor pay to repair the damaged door since she they claimed it was done by tenant but yet they do not uphold any proof my tenant did such damages.

Business

Response:

Hall Associates listed two duplexes on behalf of the previous property owners. [redacted] and [redacted] were the Hall agents. The previous property owners were also the property managers and leased the property themselves.The complainant, represented by her own agent contracted for the property [redacted] on August 28 2015. The contract provided for a due diligence period of 10 business days. During the due diligence period the complainant had the right to inspect the property and review lease and property documents. The complainant accepted the conditions set forth in the purchase contract and proceeded to close on the property. The complainant viewed the damaged door during the due diligence period.The tenant with the damaged door is now vacating and the complainant wants to be able to hold the tenant responsible for damages. The complainant wants a move-in inspection report to prove the tenant is responsible, which is understandable. The problem is the previous owner does not have a move-in inspection report, therefore, the agent could not provide one to the purchaser’s agent or the purchaser.There is no attempt on the agent’s part to hide anything.The complainant asked for the previous owner’s contact information. The agent asked the previous owner if their information could be shared with the complainant and the previous owner said no. The complainant did not like the answer, but the agent was the agent of the seller (previous owner).To summarize: Hall Associates and their agents were the seller’s agents. Another firm represented the complainant. There was a due diligence period for the complainant to study the property, which the complainant accepted. The complainant viewed the damage to the door before closing and knew or should have known there was no move-in form for that apartment from the information the complainant reviewed and accept. If the existence of a move-in form was this important, the due diligence period was the time to address the form. Now that it is 6 months after closing and due diligence period, the complainant does not like our answer. Therefore, we are being accused of doing something incorrectly, which we did not.If there are questions, please let me know.Regards,Stuart MeredithStuart Meredith CCIM, SIORPresident and Managing Broker

Consumer

Response:

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

I read the response and I absolutely do not agree with these people at the company ! They are lying out of her teeth ... this woman [redacted] had said she would get me all the papers upfront over the phone so I took her word for it ... and this woman gave me less than half of the papers I need as a new landlord. I would never recommend anyone I know to this so called realtor.

Regards,