Real Estate Plus, Inc

Company charged me for a late payment on a utility bill on an account that they opened and were responsible for. I am a homeowner and have used Management Services as a property manager to rent my house for a little over two years. They started strong and have been steadily declining since August of 2011. When my tenants moved out in June of 2013, it took two weeks for them to complete the move out inspection. The list of problems and proposed cost to fix were outrageous, so I took my 4th of July holiday to oh to my house and fix a lot of the items. Upon completion, I provided Management Services with a list of remaining items to fix. This took another month which put a new tenant in during the month of September. These delays caused my house to be vacant for three months. I provided Management Services with a couple hundred dollars to cover utility and water costs. Fast forward to November 18 when I received my monthly statement and there was a $4 charge for "Water Penalty." I responded via email and inquired about the reason for the charge and did not receive a response. I again emailed on Dec 15 and received a response that the penalty was due to a late payment. I responded, asking how and why but did not receive a response. I called on December 26 and spoke with [redacted] who explained that the water company received the payment late. When I asked why I was getting charged for the late payment when I had provided Management Services with the funds to pay the utilities, she said, "It's not our fault that the mail was handled improperly and the payment arrived late." I asked how that was my fault as I had never even seen the water bill because my "property manager" was handling it, she agreed it was not my fault but restated her point about the postal service. I told her the logic in that argument was flawed and whether it was Management Services who mailed the payment too late or the postal service who mishandled it, it is in no way acceptable to charge me for the late payment for a bill they were responsible for. The conversation ended with [redacted] telling me she would talk to the owner about reimbursing my $4. No resolution as of yet. My issue is not as much about the $4 but more about the unethical nickel and diming and the unwillingness to take responsibility for their mistake. Desired SettlementA refund of the $4 and admission of fault. Business Response We make every effort to get invoices paid on time for our property owners. The owner would like for Management Services to be responsible for the United States Postal Service. Unfortunately we cannot do so. As I told her this is our office policy. As a courtesy did give her a refund of $4.00 to her account. Was taken care of that day and is shown on her year end cash statement. The owner was made aware on the phone we would give her a credit as well. In the future will have an employee take the payment to the utility company vs. using the postal service.

Due to negligence of Management Services and its employees I, the customer, incurred monetary damages in amount excess of $4000.00 on rental property.I signed an agreement with Management services to manage/rent out my property in Newport, NC.Issue #1 - Management Services approved [redacted] and [redacted] to a rental agreement to the property that was located at [redacted], owned by [redacted], with a move in date of November 1, 2013. Both [redacted] and [redacted] have criminal records but [redacted]'s is extremely long and violent in nature with charges to include but not limited to; [redacted], [redacted] etc. It is Management Services policy, and the owner's requirement, that violent personnel not be allowed to reside in the Newport Ridge community. While living in the property [redacted] reportedly took a hammer to the walls and caused $2500 in damage to the drywall. The property also required extensive cleaning, trash removal, and other repairs even for the short time they lived there. This can be attributed to [redacted] being very violent in nature. On management services website it says they perform background and credit checks. They performed a background on [redacted] but neglected to verify the birth date he gave. This returned an empty report.Issue #2 - According to [redacted] concerning Management Services eviction policy "Our timeline normally is: rents are due by the 6th; if not paid by then, we send a letter on the 7th to the tenant letting them know they have ten days to pay the balance due in full or we will start the legal process; if not paid by the ten days that is when we start the legal process by filing at the courthouse." The tenants did not pay February rent and the eviction was not started until March 4th. I was not made aware that the rent was not paid and discovered it when I started asking why I did not receive a check that month (end of month). That is three weeks longer they had to damage the property due to Management Services negligence. When I brought this up with the company they said it was noted on the monthly statement. Hand written on the bottom of the statement, which doesn't get sent until the end of the month, was "rent late". On that same statement it listed rent collected in the proper amount. I took this to mean the rent was collect but just late. Issue #3 - I sold the property and the new owners moved it. I called [redacted] to have the power turned off on October 16, 2014. I was told by the [redacted] had the power turned off on May 28, 2014. I was not informed that the power was going to be turned off or given a chance to add funds to the account to keep it on. On October 16, 2014 I contacted the Havelock office and was told [redacted] told them to turn it off. I then called [redacted], who was very rude and acted like she could care less about my concerns, and she said she did not tell them that. My property sat without power and climate control for 4 months and I was not aware of this. Management Services was not able to place a renter in the home and I was not able to sell the home for the amount I was asking (the tax value) and had to take a personal loan in the amount of $3000.00 to plus up the buyer's amount to pay off the loan. I believe this difference in value and not being able to place a renter in the property can be attributed to the lack of climate control in the property which makes Management services liable for that amount. When I asked the company about this they said it was listed on the monthly statement. The monthly statement had a copy of the electric bill and it said "final bill". Considering the tenants had just been evicted I took this to mean this was their final bill. I was never contacted about the power being turned off.Damages incurred:Misc repair $200.00Carpet Cleaning $180.60Sheetrock $2,500.00Cleaning $165.00Eviction/court fees $199.75Step repair $40.00Lack of climate control approx $3000.00Not placing renter $???Total $6,285.35+There is more......Desired SettlementI am requesting a full reimbursement for damages incurred due to Management Services negligence. I am also requesting to be released from my current lease for the lot at [redacted] between Management Services and myself,[redacted]. I want the background check to be forwarded to the owner of the property so that he understands the type of tenant Management Services placed at his property. I want to see proof that the background check was delivered to the owner. I also want all residents of [redacted] to be notified of the type of tenant that was allowed to live in this community. Business Response While Management Services (MS) has sympathy for Mr. [redacted] situation, MS through no form of negligence has caused him to incur any monetary damages. Issue 1- It is MS policy to run a criminal background and credit history on all potential tenants using the information as provided by the prospect, on our standard application. These background checks are performed through[redacted], on both potential tenants. With the birthdate provided by the male tenant, no criminal records were returned. A criminal record was found on the female tenant and due to this as well as their limited credit history, Mr. [redacted] was given the opportunity based on the information we had, to either approve or deny these tenants. He chose to approve them. At the suggestion of MS a security deposit in the amount of twice the monthly rent (2 x $895= $1790) was collected. In approximately Sept. 2014 (well after the date the tenants vacated in March), Mr. [redacted] made MS aware that he had contacted the [redacted]. with only the tenants names and address and was given a full criminal report and other pertinent information including the male tenant's correct date of birth. Many of the criminal charges named in this complaint were filed after the dates of the tenant occupancy at [redacted] Issue 2- Mr. [redacted] statement is correct regarding [redacted] comments on MS eviction policy, which are in accordance with NC State Statutes. However, the tenants contacted [redacted] with the Havelock Office of MS, after receiving their late notice and requested an extension for payment to avoid the eviction filing process and resulting additional legal fees. [redacted] contacted Mr. [redacted] and received verbal approval for this extension. When the tenants failed to meet their extension deadline, the eviction process was initiated and a court date was set by the [redacted]. Prior to the court date it is MS policy to visit the property to determine if the tenants have willfully vacated the property prior to going to court.Our inspection indicated that the tenants appeared to be in the process of moving out but damages were found that appeared to be malicious in nature. The damages were documented including photographs. The photos were provided to the magistrate during the summary ejectment proceedings with estimates of the repairs. The magistrate denied the request for collection of property damages but awarded MS possession of the property and a monetary judgment for the past due monies owed. The magistrate informed MS that criminal charges could be brought by the OWNER of the property for collection of the malicious damage. Mr. [redacted] was informed of all remedies available to him including filing criminal charges and/or filing a claim for damages with this homeowners insurance company. Mr. [redacted] approved and funded the necessary repairs to make the unit ready for re-rental. MS continued to market and show the property, over the next six months, until a showing resulted in a prospective buyer, rather than a tenant. That person eventually purchased the home from Mr. [redacted]. MS did not request or receive any compensation regarding the sale of the home. Issue 3- It is MS policy that unless there is an emergency situation, it is the owner's responsibily to contract with utility companies directly, to maintain utilities, if so desired. The electricity was only turned on in MS name in order to make the necessary, approved, repairs to the property. The fact that the electricity was disconnected was disclosed to Mr. [redacted] via his monthly owners statement, as indicated in his complaint (i.e. the final bill). The lack of "climate control" did not inhibit MS from showing the property and the eventual purchaser of the home, as provided by MS, did not indicate during any showings that lack of "climate control" would affect their decision regarding the property. MS feels that Mr. [redacted] failure to receive the amount he was asking for the property was due to the depressed real estate market in our area, and it is very common in "short sales" that owners have to contribute or take a loss in such transactions. In conclusion, we offer the following summary:It is MS's position that Mr. [redacted] made the ultimate approval of the placement of these tenants in his property. Mr. [redacted] approved the extension of the late rent payment, which resulted in the later than normal filing of the eviction.Mr. [redacted] was aware via his monthly statement and copy of the "final bill" the electricity had been disconnected at his property. Mr. [redacted] had the option to terminate his property management agreement with at any time, but instead continued to allow MS to expend time, effort and monies in the MS marketing and showing of his property, which ultimately resulted in the procurement of a buyer, by MS, who purchased the home. Mr. [redacted] did not cancel his management contract with MS until after the home was sold and moved off the lot. It is outside the authority and control as an agent for the Mobile Home Park owner to release Mr. [redacted] from the obligations of his current lease for the lot at [redacted] owner has denied Mr. [redacted] earlier request for early termination of the lease. MS is making every effort to re-lease the lot at [redacted], and once leased, Mr. [redacted] current lease can be terminated.The mobile home park owner has been made fully aware of Mr. [redacted] complaints. Info from consumerIssue 1 - Management Services did not verify the date of birth provided by the potential tenant (this would have been as easy as checking a driver's license). They used an incorrect date of birth which means they did not pull a back ground check on the potential tenant who was applying. They pulled a report on someone who does not exist. When I made this point I was told that no one is required to verify date of birth. I commented that I can't walk into a bank and withdraw money without being properly verified. Due to their negligence to verify the date of birth of the potential tenant, Management services did not perform a background check on an extremely violent individual and allowed them to reside in my property. In turn the violent nature of this individual ended with monetary damages for repairs to the property. I was contacted and told that the female applicant had a very minor history, the male had no history, and there was very little credit history, which was not bad in nature. I approved for the female and someone who does not exist to reside in my property. I did not approve for the male they allowed in my property. Management Services neglected to provide accurate information which led to a large amount of damage to my property. Management Services is incorrect that I told them I contacted the [redacted] Police department and was given the information. I simply verified the individual's date of birth with the police department. I then went to the court house where criminal records can be pulled for free. "Many of the criminal charges named in this complaint were filed after the dates of the tenant occupancy at [redacted]" This is not true. Only the last page, of 20 pages, is pending charges that happened after the tenant was removed from the property. The second to last page (page 19) shows two charges that happened while the tenant resided at my property (which [redacted] later told me she knew happened and I was not informed of that either). The other 18 pages of criminal activity would have been returned in a background check if it had actually been performed.Issue 2 - "[redacted] contacted Mr. [redacted]" This is not true. On February 23rd, 2014 I sent an email that read "[redacted], is there a reason why I haven't received a check for this month?" (This was already way past the 10 days that the tenant is allowed). On February 24th, 2014 I received the following response from [redacted] "The tenant has not paid the rent yet. I called and talked with them again today. They will be no later than Friday to pay their rent. If they are not in here by then I will start court proceedings. I was trying to avoid the cost of going to court."(I was not contacted the times they had talked to the tenant prior to my inquiry). They claimed that the statement I had received on February 14th stated that the rent had not been paid and that was my notification. That statement had "Late with Feb Rent" hand written across the bottom. The statement also showed, under the "Month to Date" column, Income rent of $875, which is the correct rent amount. To me that meant the rent had been collected but it was late. So I filed the statement away. It was not until I contacted [redacted] later in the month that I found out the rent had still not been paid. I was informed, though with very little certainty by [redacted], of what my options are. I had to contact the magistrate at the court house to get all the correct information. I could not file criminal charges because I do not live in the state. I did fund all the repairs because I did not have any other option. I can't just let it sit there destroyed. That would only make the situation worse. Management Services was very lethargic about getting quotes and actually getting work started to repair the property. It was very evident that their customers are not their priority. Management services marketing did not bring the individual who purchased my property. Due to a lack of marketing by Management Services I put up ad's for rent and for sale on [redacted] and [redacted] (local site for the military base). The rental ad directed viewers to [redacted] and had her contact information. The for sale ad sent viewers to me. This is because Management Services made it well known that they could not assist in the sale of the home. [redacted] and [redacted] both told me they could not assist by law. When the buyer contacted me I set up for [redacted] to show the house to them. That is all they had to do with any of it. I handled absolutely everything else. Issue 3 - After the tenants were evicted I contacted the electric company to ensure the electricity service would continue. I was told that Management Services had transferred it to their name. I was never told they were turning it on only for the repairs or that they were going to put it in their name at all. I took this as that was how it worked and I would be billed. Yes, there was a "final bill" attached to the July statement which I received on July 14th, 2014. The electric service was disconnected by Management Services on May 28th, 2014. That is 6 and a half weeks before I was "notified" as they are calling it. That area is at 100% humidity all of the time. A lack of climate control will lead to mold growth. If I was a potential renter and shown a property without active environmental control I would be wondering about mold and probably pass on the property. I do not consider this being notified by Management Services.In response to the "In conclusion" - I did not approve the male applicant. Management Services neglected to verify the applicant's date of birth. I was provided with false information. - My approval was not the reason for the late filing of the eviction. By time I knew the rent hadn't been paid it was way past the 10 day policy. It was going to be late either way at that point due to Management Services lack of following their policy.- As explained above the power had been off for 6 1/2 weeks before I was "notified" as they are calling it. I hardly consider that notifying a customer.- I did not have the option to terminate as I was under a contract with management services to provide management of the property. Due to the lack of notifications and marketing there was little to no monies expended by Management Services as they claim. They did not locate the individual who purchased my property. It was my own marketing, which [redacted] knew about and encouraged me to do, that lead to the sale of the property (via [redacted]). The purchaser contacted me through personal email on September 11th, 2014. Everything dealing with the purchase of the property was through my personal email. Management Services did not provide any assistance in the sale. The fact that they would hint that they should have received a commission for something they had nothing to do with is absurd! [redacted]

Several attempts from me to get management services to come out and winterize my mobil home which I am renting from them. Underpinning missing on one side flooring missing on part of the trailer no insulation on water pipes.They refuse to do the repairs so the pipes froze over during the winterstorm we had. I had to turn the water off myself since they did not answer their phones for 3 days during this winter storm. Here is the worst part management services are trying to stick the repairbill on me but will drop it if I move to a upgraded trailer.Desired SettlementI like for them to pay my moving expenses and pay for the plumber repair bill due to their refusal to maintain property.Business Response We were unable to get the skirting back up on the property before the winter storms hit our area this year. The tenant did not notify Management Services of the underpinning issue in a timely manner to enable us to rectify the situation. We always notify all tenants that non emergency maintenance requests will be addressed in the order in which they come in. In this case we had little time to get all of our properties winterized for the storm. If the tenant would have complied with the tenant handbook we would not even consider billing him for this occurrence. After talking with the maintenance technician who went out on the emergency call we found that the tenant chose to not use his central heating system instead he opted to use multiple small space heater through out the unit which is insufficient in heating the property. Which in our tenant handbook it clearly states that if a tenant decides not to use the central heating system in the property and maintain 50 degrees or higher than the tenant will be held responsible for any burst pipes in the unit. Also, this pipe burst did not happen under the trailer it happened inside which the tenant admitted to having his space heaters off while he was working that day. Allowing the temperature to fall below freezing in the unit which makes the fault on the tenants behalf for being negligent in the inclimate weather not using any heat source in the home. So after speaking with the owner who officially made the decision to bill the tenant for the occurrence we came to agreement that at this point the trailer that this tenant is now living in is no longer feasible to maintain this property with all of the ongoing issues there that have nothing to do with this particular situation. So the owner offered him a newer trailer within the park which he would totally transfer his security deposit, lower the rent so that his rental payment would not change, and also forgive him of the bill for the burst pipes.Which is actually more than fair of the owner to offer this to the tenant when this situation would not have occurred if the tenant would have used a source of heat in the unit on that day. Also, the new property which was offered to the tenant is the same size as his current residence and is updated and brings a higher rent but the owner is willing to lower the rent so that the tenants finances aren't effected dramatically.