Smith's Opticians

The two leaseholders moved out on September 10, 2011, and upon moving out they owed the following amount of $2,279.30 - $99 security deposit = $2,180.30.  The $2,180.30 balance was for past due rent owed, water/sewer owed and damages caused by the negligence of a leaseholder hanging a...

piece of clothing on a hanger from the sprinkler head which set the sprinkler head off and caused water damage to the asset. We agreed with the leaseholders to allow them to make monthly payments until the debt was paid in full.The first leaseholder made payments to the account until February 4, 2014. The second leaseholder then started making payments.  The Property Manager clearly stated to both the first and second leaseholder that the balance due was owed by both parties. The Property Manager called the first leaseholder on November 19, 2014 and requested payment, this leaseholder stated that she had completed her portion of the amount due and that the Property Manager would need to contact her roommate (the second lease holder). The Property Manager explained to the first leaseholder that both leaseholders are responsible for the balance owed. The Property Manager reached out to the second leaseholder several times with no response and then reached back out to the first leaseholder. The Property Manager asked for a phone number for the second leaseholder and the first leaseholder stated that she did not feel comfortable giving that number out. The first leaseholder stated that she would call the second leaseholder and have her return the call to the Property Manager. The Property Manager stated to the first leaseholder that if she did not receive payment every 30 days then she would have to turn the account over to collections. On November 20, 2014, the second leaseholder reached out to the Property Manager.  The Property Manager explained to her that payments would need to be made every 30 days to avoid being sent to collections. The last payment that was received by the second leaseholder was on December 10, 2014.The Property Manager reached out to both leaseholders on January 11, 2015 and only received a response from the first leaseholder. She explained the balance owed at this date was $245.65 and both leaseholders were responsible for paying the debt off. Due to lack of payment by both leaseholders, the Property Manager sent their account to collections on February 3, 2015.  The second leaseholder called the office on February 5, 2015 and left a voice mail stating that the reason she had missed the payment was because her post office caught on fire in her hometown. The Property Manager called the second leaseholder back on February 5, 2015 and got no answer. The first leaseholder called the office on February 6, 2015 and the Property Manager explained to her that the account was sent to collections because we had not received a payment for January 2015. The Property Manager also explained to her that she had reached out to both of them explaining the importance of making payments every 30 days, otherwise, it would be turned over to collections. The Property Manager has been very flexible in trying to assist these leaseholders in the repayment of their debt.[redacted]Regional ManagerBlue Ridge Companies

The monthly payments were arranged to be set at
$50. On December 10th, 2014, the second leaseholder made a payment
of $100 to cover two payments, making the next payment due on February 10th.
The account was wrongfully sent to collections before the due date of February
10th. We have made payments on time since the beginning of this
account and have done everything they have asked.
Regards,
[redacted]

The first payment made by the leaseholders was $25 on Oct. 7, 2011, which is not a $50 monthly payment.  During 2014, they did not pay $50/month as a payment. They paid a total of $400 ¡n the year of 2014.The following payments were made during 2014:Jan 03, 2014 = $50Feb 04, 2014 = $50Mar 04, 2014= $50Mar 20, 2014 = $50Apr 09, 2014 = $100Dec 10, 2014 = $100lf they would have been paying $50/month as a payment, then the total balance paid would equal $600 for 2014.  However, that is not what they paid, as you can see from above payment, they paid $400 in 2014.The Property Manager did explain to both leaseholders the importance of making payments every 30 days, otherwise, their account would be turned over to collections.Sincerely,[redacted]Regional Manager

After researching, we would like to share the following findings about this consumer complaint.  The consumer and her roommates moved out on Aug. 26, 2014.  Upon reaching out to the consumer on December 12, 2014, we charged the consumer for the following:  $480.06 for the labor to...

replace carpet + $30 for 3 blinds that were broken + $10 for what appears to be pet scratches at one of the bedroom doors + $20 for two shower rods that were missing + $139.13 for water and sewer (from May 1, 2014 – Aug. 26, 2014) + $33.77 in late charges = $712.96 - $250 security deposit = $462.96.   The consumer was not satisfied with the revised amount charged for the labor of replacing carpet on December 12, 2014, however, she did state that she would be willing to pay for the rest of the charges.  On December 15, 2015, we revised the consumer’s account yet again, even though we believe that the consumer had an unauthorized pet that caused the carpet damage and the door damage.  The Property Manager called the consumer to let the consumer know about the revision, however, she was not able to reach her and left her a message on December 15, 2014.  The revised account statement shows the following charges:  $30 for 3 blinds that were broken + $10 for what appears to be pet scratches at one of the bedroom doors + $20 for two shower rods that were missing + $139.13 for water and sewer (from May 1, 2014 – Aug. 26, 2014) + $33.77 in late charges = $232.90 - $250 sec. deposit = $17.10 to be refunded to the consumer. The consumer and the Property Manager have not been able to reach each other via phone this week.  The Property Manager has attempted to call the consumer four times this week and left a message each time.  As of December 19, 2014, she has not yet reached the consumer.  The Property Manager has not reported this account to collections. [redacted]