Tristan Estates, LLC

Revdex.com: I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted] , and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below I would like to thank Revdex.com first for passing my concerns and complaints to the Tristan Estates LLCThey ignored my emails until I brought this issue to you The financial manager claims that Tristan Estates LLC is a well-managed rental agency, which I strongly disagreeI have encountered numerous uncomfortable incidents while living in their property on 14th StDuring the first year, there was basically no one from their office to answer calls or repair requestsThe carpets in their hallway had never been cleaned until recentlyLast winter, there was even a brein the laundry room and all the machines were vandalizedThis company failed to replace them in time and left all the tenants no choice but to carry their clothes to somewhere else for six monthsI chose them in the first place because at that time I was new to the States and knew nothing about this companyI have friends who also shared with me about the long history that Tristan Estates deliberately took their security deposits for no reasonAs I stated previously, the apartment was filthy before I moved inThere was zero cleaning work doneThe carpet was soiled with dirtThe ovens and walls were covered with oil and the tub was darkened with green and black moldSince I did not speak fluent English at that time and knew nothing about the landlord's duties, my complaints to the managers were completely ignoredThese pre-existing conditions, which should be taken care of by Tristan Estates, shall not be my responsibilitiesAdditionally, the financial manager claimed that she hired a contractor who did several hours' work in cleaning the apartment, yet she ignored my request to see these cleaning billsBased on the conversation I had with the current contractor, there was no cleaning work done before he came and since he was doing a whole new renovation of the apartment, that kind of cleaning work was not even necessaryNow I request the financial manager to forward the cleaning bills or any other supporting materials that can prove the work she claimed she had doneThe purpose of security deposit was not for the rental agencies to make extra money I will not stand if Tristan Estates continues to ignore my requests and will escalate this matter to the next level if needed Regards, [redacted] ***

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
I would like to thank Revdex.com first for passing my concerns and complaints to the Tristan Estates LLC. They ignored my emails until I brought this issue to you. 
The financial manager claims that Tristan Estates LLC is a well-managed rental agency, which I strongly disagree. I have encountered numerous uncomfortable incidents while living in their property on 14th St. During the first year, there was basically no one from their office to answer calls or repair requests. The carpets in their hallway had never been cleaned until recently. Last winter, there was even a break-in in the laundry room and all the machines were vandalized. This company failed to replace them in time and left all the tenants no choice but to carry their clothes to somewhere else for six months. I chose them in the first place because at that time I was new to the States and knew nothing about this company. I have friends who also shared with me about the long history that Tristan Estates deliberately took their security deposits for no reason.
As I stated previously, the apartment was filthy before I moved in. There was zero cleaning work done. The carpet was soiled with dirt. The ovens and walls were covered with oil and the tub was darkened with green and black mold. Since I did not speak fluent English at that time and knew nothing about the landlord's duties, my complaints to the managers were completely ignored. These pre-existing conditions, which should be taken care of by Tristan Estates, shall not be my responsibilities.
Additionally, the financial manager claimed that she hired a contractor who did several hours' work in cleaning the apartment, yet she ignored my request to see these cleaning bills. Based on the conversation I had with the current contractor, there was no cleaning work done before he came and since he was doing a whole new renovation of the apartment, that kind of cleaning work was not even necessary. Now I request the financial manager to forward the cleaning bills or any other supporting materials that can prove the work she claimed she had done. The purpose of security deposit was not for the rental agencies to make extra money. 
I will not stand if Tristan Estates continues to ignore my requests and will escalate this matter to the next level if needed.
Regards,
[redacted]

Thank you for the opportunity to express our experience in this situation.  In order to truly address the situation, let me first explain a little of who...

Tristan Estates LLC is.  Tristan EstatesLLC is a well established, owner managed rental agency to apartments on the Marquette University, UW-Milwaukee, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, and Art School campuses.  Since its formation in 1999, Tristan Estates has prided itself on its education and handling of students and the continual enhancement of the properties owned as well as of the surrounding community.  As a company, it has strict policy to ensure ethical and equal handling of all tenants.  We have an excellent track record concerning security deposits, maintenance, as well as team communication and customer relations.  Let us now move on to the matter at hand.
The tenant lived with us at our property beginning on September 1, 2011.  At the end of his current 2013-2014 lease term, company policy requires a walk through of the unit with a Tristan Estates LLC representative and at least one of the tenants.  Prior to the meeting, the tenant placed several calls to the office complaining that he should not have to clean as it was too difficult to clean up after 3 years of living in the unit.  Per company policy, he was instructed to follow the cleaning sheet and address and clean each issue, as all other tenants are instructed. The tenant chose the latest available time slot for the walk through on the 27th.
The complaining tenant and the financial manager met at the agreed upon time at the apartment on July 27th, 2014.  Sadly, the apartment was in very poor condition due to the tenants' cleaning negligence and apparent neglect.  There was standing water on the kitchen floor; hair, oil and black built up debris on the kitchen vinyl which was now black instead of its previous yellow; the counters, kitchen walls, and cabinet faces were caked in grease; the cabinets where falling apart due to tenant neglect from water damage and grease damage; the appliances were filled with blackened food debris and cooking oil; the walls and all doors were full of grime from human contact, the carpet was soiled with blackness; the bathroom smelled of urine with hair, grime and standing water upon the tiled floor; and the shower was encrusted with black and pink mold and mildew.  The tenant argued for over an hour with the Tristan Estates representative, who did not agree that the state of the apartment was due to "normal wear and tear."  The tenant openly admitted that the apartment was "filthy," but refused to take responsibility for the state of the apartment.  The tenant was given the opportunity to continue to clean the unit to Tristan Estates standard, and the tenant refused the offer.  He was instructed that should he wish to no longer clean, Tristan Estates would contract cleaners to clean the apartment to livable standards.  As the tenant would do no more cleaning, the tenant gave a forwarding address, and signed the walk through form acknowledging this communication.
The poor state of the unit was pictorially documented.  Cleaning was estimated by a contracted cleaning company. A 21 day security deposit invoice and statement was mailed and received in a timely matter as indicated by the tenant. Cleaning was done as indicated in the letter above and beyond the invoice, and upon final inspection by Tristan Estates upper management, the unit was determined, even after paid cleaning was completed, to be uninhabitable.  The kitchen appliances, cabinets, flooring, carpet, and bathroom were not salvageable.  At this time a separate construction contractor was hired to commence rehabilitation.  Tristan Estates was very kind to the tenant, and the tenant was not charged for replacement for any percentage of the life expectancy of the items, which by law they had every right to collect.  Upon receiving the security deposit letter, the now prior tenant did not contact Tristan Estates until September 13 via email, to argue the invoice.  Tristan Estates responded to the now prior tenant via email to hopefully explain the situation and the kind treatment he had received.  Such an unkempt apartment could have cost him thousands of dollars to repair and replace, as it did cost the company.  The prior tenant was only charged the incurred cleaning costs.
In conclusion, Tristan Estates was more than kind and understanding in their dealing with the tenant, from move in and through out the tenancy, which cannot be disclosed due to privacy requirements. Tristan Estates gave the tenant multiple opportunities to make sure the apartment was clean in order to receive back his security deposit.  It is only due to the tenants actions that it was not returned. 
Tristan Estates has worked with thousands of students over the years.  We have an excellent reputation for our dealings with students from move in, throughout tenancy, and through move out.  We did everything in our power to bring this to a different end.  At this time, no portion of the security deposit can be returned.
[redacted] [redacted]
Financial Manager  
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Tristan Estates LLC
1730 W Kilbourn Ave., 1st Floor
Milwaukee, WI  53233
[redacted]
 
Send payments to:
PO Box 252
Marion, WI  54950