Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/15/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  My 1st interaction with this company was pleasant and what seemed to be professional but 2 days into the job, ************************* exchanged a series of text messages in which she disrespected my wife and us as tenants. In addition she instructed her crew to illegally remove our surveillance camera without our consent. Since we had to vacate the residential unit due to mold mitigation, and we had to provide a lockbox with our key for them to access the unit on their own, we installed cameras to provide round the clock surveillance to our property within the unit. The crew removed the camera without our permission.I am appalled at how ***** addressed my wife from hanging up on her to the way she expressed herself via text. See below. "Lady we don't have time for your shenanigans. You do understand that we're trying to remediate this residence to the best of our ability, in a safe manner. And make it a healthy home for you. We really don't have time to play silly little games. Please let us do our **** job. I've gone to Great lengths to be sure the logistics suit you and are convenient. This hindrance is not helpful for any of us."Then she sends the following text: "And now you are leaving s***** reviews on Yelp? Dude ..I do not work for YOU. I'm sure if you think about it for a few minutes you would decide to retract it. "All of this because we asked her to put our surveillance system back up, which they had no permission to remove in the 1st place.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/09/2024

  The tenants were illegally recording my crew and their actions on a property that they (the tenants) had been vacated from, they contacted the crew privately in an effort to solicit information, details and photos of the work so they could use it against the property management. We do not work for the tenants, they did not hire us, nor did they ask permission to record us on their strategically placed cameras (they were faced at the Guest Bathroom, not at the front door). This camera was not installed in this area until the day before we started work, and I have photos to prove that. We did not remove, disconnect or damage the camera, we simply moved it beyond out containment. The ******************** who hired us, concurred that the camera should be removed. They then (the tenants) called me screaming (while I was with another client) and cussing, threatening legal action. And yes, I lost my cool in the text message that followed.

  We completed the job weeks ago, and they have continued to leave the same negative review with the BBB, the **** of ** and Consumer Affairs, Yelp, Angi's List, Homeadvisor, and several other places on the Internet. Since removing the camera, they have threatened to call the police, said we have left their property unsecured and have continued to bad mouth us. 

  They had no problem with our work, our customer service, or our company until we moved their camera. Then they freaked out and refuse to admit they were in the wrong. What they did was illegal and they fail to take accountability for that. However, they have made many efforts leading up the job to delay work, reschedule workers, limit access to the property and be a general *** in an attempt to incur additional costs to the property management. Sadly, we got caught in the cross fire. 

  Resolution-They need to remove all of their negative reviews within the next 30 days as I have consulted an attorney and have grounds for a Defamation suit, and have every intention of doing so should they not be removed. 

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/22/2024

   
  Complaint: 21429437
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  

  Business owner is stating we were illegally recording but that is incorrect. We installed cameras within the property we legally rented and provided signs at the door upon entering stating that the property was protected by RING and video and audio recording were in progress within the unit.

  As residents of the unit we legally rented, we have the right to record and have a surveillance system in order to protect our belongings which remained in the unit while vendors, such as Breathe Easy Mold Removal had access to the unit without our presence. Since we stayed away from the unit temporarily in order for them to mitigate the mold and to ensure the safety of our property, we installed a security system with a camera facing the front door, the living areas and both bedrooms. 

  This was done in order to have a record of authorized vs unauthorized entry along with access to unnecessary areas of the unit and personal property protection.

  The company owner ************************* instructed her crew to remove the camera facing the front door, thus tampering with our security system which is a part of our personal property without our authorization, creating a safety concern for our belongings.

  When attempting to address these issues with the company owner, I was met with vulgar, unethical, and unprofessional responses addressed to both my wife and I.

  The company completed the job, leaving the bathroom vent covered along with the **** system filter covered. A secondary vendor from another reconstruction company arrived at the unit to evaluate but was met with an unsecured unit with the door unlocked. He immediately contacted us to inform the unit was left unlocked for 24 hours.

  The gate entry record shows Breathe Easy Mold Removal was the last person to access the unit prior to the finding of the unsecured residence.

  Sincerely,
  
  *********************************

  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/23/2024

  Initial claims by the Tenants (who we were not contracted by or working for) asked for a resolution of an apology for my verbal response and to complete our portion of the work. I have fulfilled this request and expect they will now stand by their word. They continue, however, to make complaints with the **** of ************ several ******** marketing sites we have, other Vendors, etc. If this continues, as the matter has been resolved, I will have no choice but to take legal action. 

  Although there were indications that a Ring security system was in place at the Home, there was no sign indicating recording was taking place in our workspace. Florida law indicates that even the acknowledgement of signage does not imply consent. I am sorry, but there was no signage other than a logo sticker near the door, which incidentally is next to another door to another residence. This still does not give you permission to record people. It should also be noted that the communication with the individual crew members was also not permitted, and done deceitfully (without knowledge or consent of the firm that employs them). You called them on their cell phones, a number that you should not have retained after providing it to the security gate, and asked them to secretly give you information and photo documentation; my guess was in an effort to build a case against the ******************** This is a very concerning as it could have cost them their jobs due to non-disclosure agreements between ourselves and the people who hired us. You seem to be as unconcerned about that now as you were at the time of the work being performed. 
  

  I must again express that the Tenant was not in possession of the Home as they were required to VACATE the property temporarily. They were already residing at another location, whether they brought all of their belongings or not. Our contract ensures that we have temporary possession of the Residence during the agreed upon time frame.
  

  We were actually on site to pick up equipment the morning they claim the door was left unsecured. Due to the ridiculous behavior of the tenants we ensured every step of our process to secure the Residence was taken. The door was locked, the door was checked and the key was put back in the lock box. We were already aware that the tenants were likely sneaking into the Residence while we waited for post testing results; an action that could have resulted in a delay of completion. Regardless, if the door were left magically unlocked it would have been for a period less than 2 hours. 

  Sadly, now knowing that they have complaints against the **** the property management, the Security firm subcontracted for the complex, and ourselves, and (likely to come) the drywall installers we have come to the conclusion that they are unhappy with the entire situation rather than the subcontractors hired to do the work. While it is unfortunate, it has nothing to do with us. 

  They continue to post publicly that we left them in a home that was not habitable as well. The work we performed was completed exactly as the proposed scope suggested; however, being tenants they were not privy to that information. The home was habitable, just not cosmetically completed. It was not our job to do the installation portion of the work, or to provide them accommodations while this was being completed. They should speak to property management about this as we had no control over this.  

  I apologize for my heated remarks. The job has long been completed. The resolution they requested has been fulfilled on our end, and any further communications or complaints should be quelled by this. Any additional complaints or negative actions against my company or workers will only result in legal action on our part. 

  Truly, 

  *************************

  Breathe Easy Mold Removal, Inc.