Pilot Property Management

I lived at a Pilot managed property for over 8 years and loved the condo and area, hence why I stayed so long. In those 8 years the management never seeced to amaze me on just how unethical they are. I dealt with Tony Easton (owns Pilot) several times and truly believe it is the speed of the leader. Being a property manger myself for 27 years I was able to protect myself to a from the majority of their shady practices. The unit was still being painted, carpet installed and trash & personal belongs of the previous when I arrived for my scheduled move-in, I was told to put my stuff in the garage and come back later. I eventually had to remove the trash and clean the unit due to time restraints because the movers were coming with my furniture (later was inform by a Pilot employee the previous resident was the condo owners relative)--person who leased to me was (Tony's daughter)...all related in some odd way. Upon moving out I gave proper written notice and insisted on pre-move out inspection to make sure we were all on the same page considering the move-in condition and depreciation. I wanted to make sure what was expected of me and what was to be replaced due to normal wear & tear. Within 30 days we had 4 total inspections with each one being told I would be responsible for something and I would reference the move-i inspection and or a email showing their lack of management. The first inspections was with a company employee, second with condo owner & company employee, third with contractor to measure flooring. Each time I reiterated what I was and was not responsible. I had painted the walls a color change, but since a paint job depreciates after 3 years it should of been a mute issue. Pilot required I have one coat (primer) since it was a darker color--I hired a professional painter and had one primer coat applied. I was moving out of state and had everything scheduled for the movers to come, me stay in a hotel that night come back the following day for a final cleaning & inspection. I had the fourth and final inspection inspection performed with the same employee that had been at the previous three inspections. I was told Tony & they owner had been there earlier and I had not even turned in my keys an had paid rent through the end of the day. It was like salt in the wound seeing I had been requesting a meeting with Tony from the start but was assured everything was now fine since I had provided all documentation requested to show the condition at move-in. Nothing was noted at the final inspection except "okay" or "see original move-in inspection". I went by their office for a copy and proceeded to drive 2K miles. I received a letter from them stated that my entire deposit was forfeited due to having to replace the flooring. Of course I huffed and buffed, but eventually it was down to suing. I have no doubt I would of won, however, the cost to sue, travel, etc would by far exceed the $1700 deposit and they were well aware of that. Buyer beware!!!

When a management company is contracted to manage a property it is legally bound to act in the best interest of that property. In over five years of dealing with Property Management, I have continually found them to act in their own best interests. Rather than empower their property owners to resolve problems amongst themselves, they prefer to direct and control problem-solving. Willing and full disclosure to all parties is counter to this purpose, and Pilot Property Management does not encourage it. I would not recommend them to anyone who is earnest about sustaining a gentle and stable community who wish to resolve problems fairly amongst themselves

Review: Contract non-performance including:-Mismanagement of border fence replacement as prescribed by law, resulting in no progress on the fence for 12 months, neighborhood disputes & loss of shared costs.-Failure to update the contract & insurance documentation with our landscaper-Failure to provide oversight of landscapers resulting in poor care of plants and irrigation that did not meet the water restriction by city-Failure to update contact information on several bills, resulting in taxes and insurance, being sent to former resident -Failure to manage agreement with neighboring Tamarack Beach Resort,-Failure to oversee repairs, resulting in additional costs by electrician, -Failure to notify handyman of deck repair which posed a liability issue, despite two requests, in writing,-Failure to maintain property lighting, resulting in a possible liability, given that 6 of the 7 lightbulbs on the west side of the building were burned out,-Failure to accomplish HOA identified maintenance items, some action items were on the list for over a year. This includes failure to maintain the balconies, after being notified by the termite inspector for multiple years, which likely resulted in significant incremental damage-Failure to file income taxes for 2013. -Inadequate annual disclosures and notices to the HOA, as required by law,-Failure to respond to escrow requests for information by potential buyers as required by law. -Mistakes in accounting, indicating that one owner paid HOA fees when they did not,-Failure to correctly identify the insured property address on our policy even after numerous requests. This refusal to correct the address continued for over 9 months.-Failure to provide monthly financials in a timely manner-Failure to complete a reserve study even though it was clearly stated in our contract with them that they were to complete a reserve study every three years (as required by the Davis-Sterling Act, State of CA).Desired Settlement: We ask for refund of fees paid to Pilot for 22 months (from February 2013 November 30, 2014) they contracted as our property management firm: $10,065.00. We are also asking for actual damages of $1730 from:-$1033.90 for failure to notify Tamarack Beach Resort of intent to not occupy the HOA owned timeshare, per Board Meeting resolution,-$675 for loss of shared expense on border fence,-$22 returned check fee from failure to maintain Accounts Payable addresses.Total: $11,795.90