HomeRiver Group Atlanta Property Management — Local services in Scottdale

I am changing my post here on Crown. I still think they are a bad company... but I'm softening a little bit...

I just got the official letter (delivered to the wrong house) late. I'll probably be dinged (. They inadvertently sent me the Cash Flow Summary (01/01/2015 - 12/31/2015) for several owners of their properties. I only recognize one name (because he is the person who owned our property) and I gotta tell you, I'm feeling pretty good. We (as tenants) are not alone in the overcharging. The Management fees are crazy; and the turnkey maintenance is ridiculous. The management fees appear to be around 10% (see aren't you feeling good out there people)...

But back to my complaint... now that I have had a chance to really think about it - I still feel that they are bad news and people should think carefully before entering into an agreement with them.

Renting is big business. It is designed to make a profit. You need to really read the lease before you fall in love with the property because they have all the angles covered. Do yourself a favor and if you really feel as though you have been scammed - file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Knowledge is power. You can also put in a formal complaint with the Georgia Real Estate Board (I believe that is what it is called). You will never be able to win, but at least you will let people know what kind of company of this. And make you post on YELP, Facebook, etc., any public forum that will allow you to speak. But make sure that your claims are accurate and not inflammatory. In other words state facts. Here are mine: Our vacuum was stolen when the property was being sold. Crown's viewpoint is that we should have locked up our belongings. They sort of hide behind the lease instead of taking responsibility for letting people just wander through the property we were renting. And then because we vacated early they charged us for the rent AND another $550 for repairing the walls with products they supplied (that did not match). That is the bulk of it. We did seek the advice of a real estate friend who informed us that Crown has a reputation, that it is business and it is not personal. And to coin our attorney friend, "while they may be immoral it is not illegal what they did". And so it is what it is.

So if you can -

#1: File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau - but be accurate and specific.

#2: Post on public forums (like this): YELP, Facebook, Yahoo, just to name a few. But remember that when you do be accurate (and honest) because you do not want extra issues.

#3: Let your friends know.

Lastly, read their lease carefully. Make sure you pay attention to paragraph. We cannot all be wrong. They are NEVER going to give you back all of your security deposit. That have to make a profit. So don't expect it.

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. Or make a post and I will check it. But please be advised I cannot share with you the paperwork they sent me - I cannot share names, etc. While I loathe what they did to us and they do lack morals, that is not how I roll. Plus, I have an ailing parent so quite honestly, I don't have the time to spend on issues with Crown but receiving the Cash Flow Summaries today well... it has definitely put a little...

After a long search, I found finally found the right home to rent. I thought perhaps it was a good thing that the property was professionally managed. So far, that has not been the case. The unwriting is a bit extreme for a rental home, but that was not a big issue, The issue started as soon I started asking questions from the local rep. The first reply was cold and business-like, more. I had been told the company set aside 14 days between tenants, to get the home ready, I asked what services included, I got a curt reply that she did know what needed to be done until the tenant moved out. I understood that, but I had already reviewed the recommended standard procedures for lease turnover properties, so I knew most professional property managers would have set systems in many cases, they had them in writing. So I continued to ask if there standard things are done, such as clean the carpet. After several back and forths, I was told they did not always clean the carpet, and there was no information on standard procedures. I then moved on to COVID 19. Had the company created any new procedures in response to COVID 19.? Again I was told there be no decisions until the tenant moved out, and the property was inspected. What would inspecting the house have to do with a Convid policy? Also, while I was aware they lease required me to pay all utilities and to do lawn maintenance. This company also tacks on a $15.00 monthly fee for filters for the HVAC. The recommendation for changing filters is 90 days with no pets ( my lease states no pets. So basically, I am paying $45.00 for a $15.00 filter. Its a not huge amount, but when you are already paying $2400.00 in rent, it seems odd. My lease started on the 3rd of the month; I asked to have access a day or two in advance just to have someone come and clean before I moved in because it was unclear what the management company was going to do, At first, I told it was okay. Later I was told I had to occupy the home the same day keys were provided. The mover was booked a month in advance, and there was no way I could change the move-in date. So the management company would not allow me to send cleaners to the home ahead of time. I think everyone is concerned about the virus, but I was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago, and because of chemotherapy, I have no immune system. Even after I explained all the reasons for the concerns, the property manager would only agree to provide access for cleaners was if I was going to occupy the home that same day, which I made clear was not possible. Honestly, I did not need all this extra stress.

Updated Completed Move in checklist. Many items such as small holes in doors were and serious wear on the food floor were not mentioned on the report completed by agent, The agency also indicated the the towel racks and TP holders were in good repair, Only problem is there are no towel racks or TP holders in any of the four bathrooms. Today the dishwasher ( Older model maybe original with the house) stopped working hopefully it can be repaired quickly just moved in and need to run a few...

Property Owners (that care about your property and your tenant) and Renters Beware!! The beginning of the process with Property Frameworks was a good one. Everything was handled electronically and quite professionally.I was able to do the application, sign the lease and handle all payments electronically. Once my money was collected, the good experience ended there. I moved into the property on a Friday. Upon moving in I quickly realized the AC was not working, I expeditiously contacted their maintenance department and a ticket was logged. The vendor, JB Cool, did not come out until the next day, Saturday afternoon. The vendor came in without the tools of his trade, said that he would need to order parts for the upstairs unit but that the downstairs unit was working fine. Lies...the air worked for a about 2 hours and went back out. This is where the horror story starts, well it actually started with the horrible vendor they sent here. Who was unprofessional and untruthful. Once the air went back out, I contacted their 'emergency' maintenance department, this was definitely an emergency in 95 + degree record heat wave weather in Atlanta. The 'emergency' is in quotes because their emergency team is a complete joke that isn't funny.They weren't able to do anything but continue to contact the unprofessional vendor who was not answering or calling back AND who I specifically requested not be sent back because his work was lacking. This 'emergency' idiot said the only thing he could do was to leave messages and I would need to contact my Property Manager, Amy Sciacca in order to get more assistance. I called and called her and the Account Manager, Donna McWhorter and did not hear back until Tuesday from Amy, never heard anything from the Account Manager. At this point, I've been living with no air since Friday. Amy decides that its still a good idea to send the same vendor back out to fix the issue on Tuesday. I again voiced my concern with sending the same vendor, but Property Frameworks and my property 'manager don't care, they send him anyway. Lo and Behold my air works from Tuesday to Friday and goes out AGAIN! I contact my property manager because this is obviously an emergency right?? She says she'll have to call me back later...she's having dinner with her husband. I asked to speak with her manager, she says she'll call me back but she can't tell me when. Who does business like this?? Property Frameworks that's who. I never received a call back from Any's manager, Misty, which is no surprise...they could care less about the tenant. They sent the SAME vendor back for the 3rd time on Saturday... makes no sense at all but this is just one example, in the 1st couple of days living in the property there was also leakage in the ceiling and the icemaker was not working. I typically stay in a property for years and I love this property, but Property Frameworks will be the reason I will only live here for the one year lease. Would never work with them again as a renter or owner. And please don't post a message back to call you, it's quite clear you don't...