Lynchburg Renting

Review: Our prorated rent for the month of July 2013 was to be mailed to us on July 25, 2013. After many attempts both email and phone we still have not received our rent that is due to us. I was told by [redacted] that he would handle it on August 1, 2013 and we still have not received any form of payment.Desired Settlement: Payment of July rent.

Business

Response:

Revdex.com Review: [redacted]. Smith, 08/29/2013

ID: [redacted]

Lynchburg Renting attempts to respond to and resolve all concerns in a timely manner. In response to the above concern, please find the following information. This property was managed by Lynchburg Renting for the property owners for a period of four months. The property was under contract for sale during the management for fee contract. Following sale of the property in July, 2013, the lease for tenancy transferred with the sale to the new property owners. Subsequently, the new property owner entered into a management contract with Lynchburg Renting. As the sale of the property closed in the middle of a calendar month, partial rent monies from the tenant was due to previous, original owner of the property, while monies for remaining days of month were due to the new property owner. Lynchburg Renting was not the selling agent, nor directly involved in the sale of the property; therefore, to insure clarification of closing date, release of monies, and correct proration due each owner, the monies realized from rent that were forwarded monthly on the scheduled 25th of each calendar month (to the original owner), were held until the following scheduled remittance date. Lynchburg Renting did attempt to clarify dates to prevent delay of monies to original owner; however, specific information as related to the release of monies from the sale was delayed in reaching the Lynchburg Renting office. Upon official clarification, monies were released on the next scheduled remittance date to the appropriate owner. This issue was resolved on August 20, 2013 and original owner notified.

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,

My wife and I were exploring the opportunity of using our property as means of rental income rather than selling. After contacting Lynchburg Renting, the owner came out to visit with us on site. His knowledge and expertise in the rental field gave us useful insight as to what to expect from monthly rent, how to plan for future maintenance of the home, and how they would manage the property on a daily basis. We were extremely impressed with his knowledge and entire business model. From an owners stand point, they would handle all customer contact and only have us involved for any issues over a certain dollar amount. If we ever decide to explore the rental market we trust that we would be in safe hands with Lynchburg Renting.

Lynchburg renting is a first-class professional organization and always friendly. They consistently execute their clearly laid out policies fairly. Recently my basement began flooding due to some roots in my sewer lines. [redacted] and his team were out within the day, getting everything fixed, all during a 6 inch snowstorm. It is great to know that my rental agency has this kind of local resources.

Review: Lynchburg Renting withheld 100 percent of our $550 deposit without a just cause.

In mid January, we informed Lynchburg Renting that we would be moving out of their properties in early February. At this time, we were on a month-to-month lease, and we were hoping to be exempt from paying rent for the month of March. Lynchburg renting insisted that we pay the full rent amount of $550 not only for February, but also March. We went ahead and paid, even though Virginia State Law only requires a 30 day notice of departure from a residency. March 1st would have been well over 30 days past our letter of departure, but we went ahead and paid the $550 for March even though we had been living in [redacted] for nearly a month by this point.

In the process of moving from our house, I contacted Lynchburg Renting a few different times attempting to have them do a walk-through with a representative in order to ensure that house was left in good condition. The Lynchburg Renting staff refused to cooperate. They told me a walkthrough could not be done until late March, while I had already accepted a job in [redacted] and had begun working their in early February. Regardless of not being able to attend a walkthrough, I left the house in excellent condition and took a video on my smartphone to prove it. We had friends and family come and help us clean it. No belongings were left behind. Floors we mopped, bathroom was scrubbed, windows were cleaned, etc. We did not paint, and we did not leave any large holes in any walls. The house looked like it did upon arrival. When late March arrived, I called Lynchburg renting and asked them if my brother, who resided in Lynchburg, could attend a walkthrough. They denied my request.

After leaving the house for [redacted], I took the utilities out of my name, because I believed it was a liability issue. We informed Lynchburg renting and they disagreed with our decision on the basis of the potential for pipes to freeze. They informed us that they would send someone to look at the house. I called and spoke with [redacted], who told me that the house was in great condition and that nothing had happened with the pipes.

On May 3rd we received a letter from Lynchburg renting which states:

"[redacted]

Here are the itemized deductions from your security deposit from [redacted]:

$550 deposit

-$125 cleaning

-$100 touch up paint

-$400 repairs made due to water line busting

_____

$0 Return from deposit (RFD)

It was a pleasure having you as a tenant.

Thank you,

Management"

This letter is preposterous. We did everything in our power to leave the house in excellent condition, and I have a video to prove that we did. We were told the pipes were fine, and then, we were told something contrary when it came time to send out the deposits. Lynchburg Renting was noncooperative, and I believe they would have made up any excuse to withhold our deposit. At this point, I have no reason to believe that the deposit belongs to me.Desired Settlement: I would like the full deposit of $550 refunded to me unless Lynchburg renting can provide me with receipts proving that they paid $400 for "water line repairs," $125 for "cleaning," and $100 for "touch up paint."

Business

Response:

Please find the following information in response to letter received in our office May 11, 2015 with regard to itemized security deposit return for the above referenced property. Per your lease (Lynchburg Renting II, LLC Residential Lease, Section 7.), signed and dated May 7, 2013, tenant(s) is responsible for maintaining utility services throughout tenancy. Tenancy terms of lease for the above referenced property were June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2014. Per Lease Agreement, following the twelve (12) month initial term, tenancy is extended for self-renewing two calendar month terms until either landlord/agent or tenant(s) gives written Notice to Terminate or Cancel to the other party at least two calendar months in accordance with Lease Agreement. Notice to Cancel must be given prior to the first day of a month in order to cancel the lease agreement two calendar months following the first day of the said month (Section 19.). On January 22, 2015 Lynchburg Renting documented receipt of your notification of intent to vacate the property in February, 2015. On such date (January 22, 2015) you were verbally informed that proper two calendar month notice had not been given, per terms of your Lease Agreement. Related, you were also provided with information regarding responsibilities of rent and utilities through lease term. From the date of receipt (January 22, 2015) of your notification of intent to vacate, your responsibility to lease would have terminated March 31, 2015. A letter dated January 22, 2015 was mailed to you outlining such information and continued tenant responsibilities. In the letter sent to you on January 22, 2015 you were notified that a walk-through exit inspection would be completed at the property on March 25, 2015 or March 26, 2015. Exit inspections may be completed no earlier than one (1) week prior to termination of lease, as tenant maintains possession of property until lease termination. On March 4, 2015 Lynchburg Renting received a phone call from Mr. [redacted] stating that the property had been cleaned and readied for inspection. He was informed again of the policy regarding inspection dates. Lynchburg Renting received another phone call from Mr. [redacted] on March 12, 2015 stating that he no longer was in residence at the property and requesting that his brother be allowed to complete the exit inspection with Lynchburg Renting. As the tenant and Lynchburg Renting remained under lease obligation until March 31, 2015, and per Lynchburg Renting policy, his request was denied, as only tenant(s) identified on Lease Agreement are authorized to enter the property and/or complete the exit inspection. During this communication with Mr. [redacted], he remitted payment for rent due for the month of March, 2015.When Lynchburg Renting was in receipt of information that the property was no longer attended, an inspection was ordered for the property. The property inspection revealed lack of utility for water and electric services. No identified water damage was observed at the property. Following, Lynchburg Renting contacted the utility services authorities and had electric and water services accounts reinstated in the property owner’s name. However, secondary to the property not having a main water cut off valve, the water authority granted permission for Lynchburg Renting to activate water to the property from the meter at roadside. A representative of Lynchburg Renting would be on site to discontinue water to the property should a problem arise. When the water flow was reactivated to the residence, numerous water leaks were evidenced in the kitchen faucet/supply line, toilet supply line, and main line entering the residence. Secondary to the power having been discontinued and below freezing temperatures, pipes in the residence burst, and were only evidenced when water flow was restored to the property. Upon readying the property for future leasing, it was determined that in addition to the necessary water line/pipe repair, that there was touch up painting required above normal wear and tear of the residence. Additional cleaning of the property was also required to return the property to leasing status. Please note that you failed to return a completed move-in inspection report upon taking residency at the property. The exit inspection was based upon evidenced needed repairs and services at the time of your exit from the property. The total required services totaled an amount of six hundred and twenty-five dollars ($625). Your security deposit of five hundred and fifty dollars ($550) was retained to indemnify the owner, not Lynchburg Renting for damages and service expenses. Itemized deductions related to your security deposit was provided for your review. Due to proprietary business practices, it is not the policy of Lynchburg Renting to disclose vendor invoices; however, all property specific information, including required work services are documented and kept in property file. Please contact us with any related questions that may remain.Sincerely,[redacted]

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.

Lynchburg Renting is withholding my $550 renting deposit. They claim they needed to use $400 of my deposit on piping repairs, $125 of my deposit on touchup paint, and the rest of my deposit on cleaning expenses. They refuse to provide me with any receipts because of alleged "proprietary business practices," but I believe it is my right to know where my money went. If my $550 went to these expenses, I would like to see the proper documentation, especially for the $400 piping expenses. If Lynchburg renting cannot provide proper documentation showing that they used my deposit on these housing expenses, then I would like my deposit sent to me. As of now, it appears that my deposit was handled unethically.

Regards,

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 am not satisfied with this response because it does not rectify my the situation. In fact, it makes it worse because Lynchburg Renting's explanation of where my $550 deposit went is different from the explanation they originally provided. Originally, I was told $400 was used for piping repairs, and only $100 was used for touch up paint. Now, they are claiming that $200 was used for touch up paint, and they have added expenses for water clean up, batteries, replaced door locks, and replaced light bulbs. These claims differ from Lynchburg Renting's original claims, which is one reason why I do not trust the alleged whereabouts of my $550 deposit. Providing actual receipts is one way that would rectify this situation. If the receipts can not be shown to me, then I would like an honest, legitimate amount of my deposit returned or all of it returned to me.Firstly, Deposits are not down payments; they are intended to provide businesses or owners with security and/or collateral. Claiming that $400 of my $550 deposit went to piping expenses is a bold claim because it is a fairly significant amount of money and large percentage of my deposit. If my $400 was actually used on piping repairs, I would like to see receipts. If this expenditure actually took place, then there would be a receipt, and I believe that I, as the lender of the deposit, should be allowed to see this receipt. Otherwise, I will assume the money was handled unethically. Furthermore, $200 is a lot of money for "touch up" paint, especially because we never painted the walls of made any large holes in them. We have a video to prove this. We also have video to prove that we left the house immaculately clean. As far as replacing locks is concerned, I am unsure of why this is my responsibility as I returned both of the keys they provided me with. As far as light bulb and battery replacements are concerned. I am not that concerned with seeing my deposit for these things as the costs are so minimal, but it seams like these things would be included in overhead costs.

Regards,

Review: I started renting an apartment from Forehand Realty in August 2010. About three months later, I received a letter from Forehand Realty saying that they had transferred all paperwork to Lynchburg Renting and that Lynchburg Renting would be collecting rent and would be responsible for the lease and any maintenance issues. On January 30, 2013, I gave Lynchburg Renting written notice (which included my forwarding address) that I would be vacating the apartment that I was renting from them on February 28, 2013. I received a letter from the company around the first week of February confirming receipt of my written notice and also informed me that after I vacated the apartment, it would be inspected and the security deposit would be processed and mailed within 45 days of the last day of my lease.I waited for 45 days and did not receive any mail or phone calls from the company, so on April 16, 2013, I called them up and was told by the woman who answered the phone that they did not have a forwarding address (which had been given to them in the written notice, that they had acknowledged). I gave them the address once again and was told that I would receive my deposit by mail.Over two weeks passed and I received nothing from them in the mail, so on May 3, 2013, I stopped by their office to inquire about my security deposit again and was told by [redacted] that "it's not that we don't want to refund your deposit, but the property manager from Forehand has left the company and didn't keep good records, so we don't have your paperwork. I can't give you the money because we haven't received it from Forehand and as soon as Forehand gives it to us, we will give it to you." He also said that he should be able to get the deposit within a week.Another two weeks passed and I received no word from the company, so on May 21, 2013, I stopped by their office again and this time, they very conveniently hand me a letter dated March 30, 2013 saying that my deposit will not be refunded.Desired Settlement: It's obvious that this company had no intention of ever refunding my security deposit. They just kept delaying and making excuses, hoping that I would forget about it. According to their letter dated 03/30/2013, I was charged for cleaning, repainting and for supposed damage to the bathroom caused due to lack of ventilation. If the bathroom never had an exhaust fan, why am I responsible for damage? Why did [redacted] say that he was waiting for the money to come from Forehand?

Business

Response:

Revdex.com Review: *. [redacted], 05/21/2013 ID: [redacted]

In response to the above concern regarding return of security deposit, please find the following information. In the fall of 2010, Lynchburg Renting entered into a management agreement which encompassed property in which the above mentioned tenant resided. As noted by the tenant, he provided proper notice of termination of lease on January 30, 2013, with anticipated exit of property on February 28, 2103. Following the tenant’s tenancy, an exit inspection of the property was completed, and work scheduled to return the unit to move-in condition. Per documentation, the unit required painting, cleaning, and repair of damages from excessive mildew/mold collection in unit bathroom. Extensive damage was documented by photograph for record. A letter detailing funds retained from the security deposit to cover damages above normal wear and tear was forwarded to the tenant. Mistakenly, the letter was mailed to prior address. Following, the tenant came to the Lynchburg Renting office, and spoke with a staff member regarding the delay of deposit. As Lynchburg Renting managed multiple units at this property address, the tenant was provided incorrect, cross referenced information regarding the unit. As follow up to clarify and rectify the situation, as needed, when the filed letter of documentation was reviewed, the incorrect mailing address was identified. A copy of this documentation was forwarded to the correct address. Before receipt of letter, the tenant visited the office and was given the proper, documented information. Lynchburg Renting regrets the clerical mistake that delayed disclosure of information to the tenant; however, secondary to the damages to the unit, per the lease agreement, unfortunately had to retain monies for repair for future tenancy.

Since 2010, Lynchburg Renting has implemented a comprehensive computerized property management data base to minimize computer/clerical error.

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 should not be responsible for the said damages. The bathroom lacks an exhaust fan and gives this shady company the perfect excuse to retain security deposits. They claim "to have implemented a comprehensive computerized property management data base to minimize computer/clerical error", yet cannot keep track of forwarding addresses that have been given to them in writing. No letter was ever forwarded as they claim. The only letter that I received was the conveniently back-dated letter that was handed to me in person when I stopped by on May 21, 2013. Since this company responded 18 months after the complaint was filed, I believe they never had any intention of refunding the security deposit.Regards,

Kirk Gomes