3 years ago we had to move due to a job relocation. Due to the market we couldnt sell the house. Found Mike Anderson and One step Realty over the internet. Their brochure and references seemed to check out, and seeing as we had no other options at the time, we contracted them to lease and manage our property. Stipulations were agreed upon and signed.
Similar to other stories you may have read, after several months had gone by (i believe 4-5), I called to find out what was going on. I was suprised to find out that they had leased the property a month ago. Not only was I not told, they had leased it for $300 below what I asked and 200 below market. They gave me the spiel about the market and so on, well, okay, cant really do anything now, theyve signed a 1 year lease.
The first month goes by, i get no check. Second month i get a check for much less than what Im expecting, with a bunch of repairs/charges on there. Keep in mind, this is a brand new construction, and we just moved out, everything was working fine. Should've known something was wrong then. Next 2 months were fine i believe, then the checks stopped coming.By end of the 2nd month/start of the 3rd month, i called to find out what was going on. Was told the tennant was not paying her rent. I say okay, try to collect, afterall thats what Im paying you guys for. This process would continue for the next year or so, some months i would get a check (always late), sometimes not. At one point 4 mos went by with nothing. Several times, I would call, write one step to find out what was going on, my calls/emails were never returned. Most of the time it felt like i was doing the "managing". Eventually i emailed them to not renew her lease and evict the tennant. I was instructed to pay almost $700 in legal fees. Court fees, only to have one step settle with the tennant at the last minute and renew her lease (contrary to my wishes)
Fed up with the non-existant management (I was getting constant complaints from the neighbours and had to pay HOA fees due to things the tennant was doing... I would tell one step to contact the tennant and nothing would get done), and them not following my wishes, i decided to fire them and get a different management company.
ONe step then decided to stop payment on the rent check and deposits (which caused me further embarasement and cost when my checks started bouncing from that account), and is further charging me for terminating the contract! They have a 365day (i year!!!) cancellation notice and are threatening collection. The fact is, they were breaching the contract before i even cancelled it. Im a pretty nice guy, and was willing to amicably work this out.in this economy, i beleive in giving everyone a chance to make a living, but if they've got the audacity to accuse ME of wrongdoing, thinking im going to let them keep taking advantage of ppl, they're messing with the wrong guy..
Im initiating legal action. If you're interested in getting in. Feel free to contact me
0 comments