ComplaintsforWPM Real Estate Management

• Initial Complaint

  08/10/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I filed a complaint with the Crofton Mews Condo Association, managed through WPM Real Estate, on Saturday April 30, 2022 at 4:42pm. I have NOT received a response regarding my complaint despite numerous times following up with various members of WPM. I sent the complaint to Jonathan ********* and Brian ****** After not receiving a response, I followed up with Tricia ****** and Eliane ****** Tricia and ****** were very responsive and said they would contact Jonathan and Brian in order to have them respond to my complaint. However, it is now Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at 4:04pm and I still have NOT received any response to my complaint. All the information regarding the situation, the reasoning for my request for a refund, and ways in which I hope the Condo Association can improve in the future for other residents is found in my attached complaint, which was originally sent to WPM on April 30, 2022. My last name has since changed; however, the email I provided here on BBB and the email I provided in the complaint are both valid email addresses I check regularly, and I will continue to check them hoping for a resolution from WPM Real Estate. I no longer live in a community managed by WPM; I sold my house there immediately. The complaint has my previous address in Crofton Mews listed, but my current address is listed in the contact form here on BBB if needed.

  Business response

  09/09/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/08/16) */ WPM Real Estate Management manages each condominium association and associated billing matters based on governing documents that are created by the condominium association and its board. Each condominium owner is provided these governing documents and signs the governing documents when they purchase their condominium. Per the governing documents for this owner's condominium association, unit owners are responsible for maintaining, repairing or replacing the plumbing in the condo unit. We received an email request from this condo owner on 2/27/22 requesting a plumber due to a washing machine line backing up in the unit. We contacted Knott Mechanical per the owner's request on 2/28/22. The service ticket from Knott Mechanical stated that the washing machine line was serviced and was cleared. The cost of the plumbing service was billed to this owner when the invoice was received from Knott Mechanical per the governing documents for this condominium association. The resident contacted the management office on 3/25/22 via email inquiring about the charge. The email was responded to on 3/25/22 advising that the service provided by Knott Mechanical is the responsibility of the condominium owner based on the condominium association governing documents. The resident sent a second email on 3/30/22 asking for a follow-up on the previous correspondence. This email was responded to on 3/31/22 advising that there was no new or additional information, and the responsibility for the cost of the plumbing repairs remains the same. The resident sent additional emails on 4/13/22 and 4/24/22 which did not include any additional information. There was an email response sent from WPM on 4/25/22 advising that there was no new or further information to be shared on this matter and that the cost of the plumbing repairs was the responsibility of the owner based on the governing documents of the association to which WPM manages. The resident advised that she would pay the bill but would file a complaint. The resident also advised of intent to sell the unit and requested resale information which was provided. WPM Real Estate Management is following the governing documents of the condominium association in billing this unit owner for the plumbing services that were requested and completed. We have responded to this owner on several occasions with an explanation as to why the charges are the responsibility of the owner. WPM is hired by the condominium association to manage the association according to the governing documents. While we understand that this owner *** be dissatisfied that they are being held responsible for the charges, WPM is acting in good faith on behalf of the condominium association and the governing documents provided.

• Initial Complaint

  04/08/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I leased a garage from WPM Management- Wabash/ Sequoia Manor to store staging items that I had planned to sell. I have a real estate company. I signed a contract to keep my items save. After 3 months the roof was leaking and damaged items. I was told 1 month later that the roof was fixed by ****** ********* Cache. I moved my items back in the garage and the roof was never fixed. I let management know that I will be moving out of the storage after I paid the rent. The ****** ********* Cache called me to ask for the key. This real estate company is not trustworthy.

  Business response

  08/25/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/04/19) */ In reference to BBB CASE#: ********, WPM Real Estate Management would like to offer the following response: Management makes every attempt to provide the best possible customer service at all times. In this instance, it is important to note that rental of storage and/or garage spaces is at the renter's sole risk and responsibility. Renter's insurance is required in the event of any situation that would cause damage to personal items. The lease agreement that the resident signed specifically states, "The use of the Parking Space by Licensee, Licensee's family, visitors, agents or employees, shall be at said person's sole risk." This resident reported a leak in a garage that was rented for storage and reported that items stored within the garage were damaged from the leak. Management informed Resident that damage to personal items stored on premises would need to be covered by renter's insurance and that a claim would need to be submitted with resident's insurance company. In addition, Management responded by checking the area on the same day at which point a leak was discovered in the roof of the garage which was determined to be caused by trees that were growing into the roof. The trees causing the damaged roof were on property that belonged to the City of Baltimore. The City of Baltimore was contacted to address the trees, however no response was received from the City of Baltimore. Since we could not determine a reasonable turnaround time to have roof repaired and trees removed, Management offered resident the opportunity to transfer to another garage to avoid future leak issues while current issue was being addressed. The resident has not responded to our offer to relocate to a different garage and continues pay rent and keep items stored in the same space that the resident is aware has an active leak, even though an alternative was offered. Management has also requested photos of damage to items to assess whether any rent credit would potentially be offered, however to date, we have not received photos or an estimate of damage, etc. Resident stated at one point that the intent was to vacate the space, however keys were not returned and space was not vacated. We have offered alternative arrangements, have requested documentation, etc., but resident will not provide any of the requested items or take advantage of alternatives provided. Our goal is to provide the best possible service at all times and to help resolve any requests as quickly and efficiently as possible. While we try to be as helpful as possible, we cannot be held responsible for the fact that the Resident will not submit claim to renter's insurance company, accept offer to transfer to different space, provide documentation, etc. and we feel that we have tried to address this resident's concerns to the best of our ability, but cannot proceed without the requested information or any communication from the Resident. Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2022/04/24) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) The garage is considered real estate. Under real estate laws it is the owners responsibility to disclose latent defects (defects unseen). WPM knew it was a problem and did not mitigate the problem. As a consumer there was absolutely no way I could have known that WPM and Baltimore City have a relationship that has negatively affected. My Consumer Protection rights have been violated. Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2022/05/11) */ Supplementing our Response dated April 19, 2022 to the Consumer's Complaint, there was and is no "latent defect" at the storage/garage space leased by the Consumer. A latent defect is a defect in the property which is known to the Lessor which a reasonably careful inspection would not reveal. Prior to the Consumer leasing the storage/garage space, Management did not know of the leak nor that trees owned by Baltimore City were growing through its roof. Such a defect was not hidden and certainly was observable by the Consumer. When Management learned of the defect, it notified the City of Baltimore and offered to transfer the Consumer to another storage/garage space. The Consumer has failed to respond to that offer. In any event, the defect was known by the Consumer prior to it being known by Management and was clearly observable by the Consumer. Consumer Response /* (4200, 11, 2022/05/16) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) A latent defect is something that is not seen by the naked eye but the owner knew the problem existed. I was told the roof was fixed and it was not. I was told a new roof had recently been installed for all the garages but there is a leak. Roofs don't leak after a new roof has been the replacement. WPM wants to lease real estate, but does not want to adhere to Maryland Real Estate laws. WPM's previous response admits they were aware that there was a tree limb problem with Baltimore City. Baltimore City has no records of the problem being reported. Baltimore City stated they have recently worked in the area, but there was no request to trim tree limbs back. Business Response /* (4000, 13, 2022/06/08) */ We would like to reiterate that the lease agreement that this resident signed specifically states, "The use of the Parking Space by Licensee, Licensee's family, visitors, agents or employees, shall be at said person's sole risk." Renter's insurance is required as a part of the lease agreement in the event of any situation that would cause damage to personal items. This resident indicated on this complaint submission that the desired resolution for this matter is a "Billing Adjustment". We have offered this Resident the option to relocate and we have indicated we are willing to consider a billing adjustment upon the resident providing photographic evidence of the damage as well as an estimate of the damages. This resident has failed to respond to our offer to relocate and has failed to provide the documentation requested. We cannot provide further resolution without the requested documentation. Consumer Response /* (4200, 15, 2022/06/09) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) All of the garages have a leaky roof if the problem is coming from the trees that are behind the garages. There is no responsibility being accepted that when I leased the garage I was told there was a new roof. Let's deal with the initial lie.

• Initial Complaint

  11/28/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  When I moved into the unit, it was not move in ready. The place was dirty and reeked of gas. I let it go. I then complained about this and was told it was the stove and would go away. In august, I realized it did not go away. I was then told by BGE I had a gas leak. The property gave me 7 days off my rent when I had been living with this issue for 3 months. I let that go. I smelled a faint gas smell 11/26 and found out that I had yet another problem. BGE detected carbon monoxide. They turned off my heat and gas and I was without heat for hours. They then patched up the job. The proper repairs were not made. At this point, I would like a portion of my rent for the months I had to live with a small carbon monoxide leak. The pipe was like this from the moment I lived in which means I've dealt with it for 6 months. I would like compensation for the 6 months I've dealt with this.

  Business response

  02/07/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 9, 2021/12/23) */ Bright Meadows Management takes gas and carbon monoxide leaks very seriously and has responded to each report in a timely fashion. This Resident first reported a suspected gas leak at the stove and advised that BGE had turned gas off and stated leak was at hot water line. No leak was found using smell and gas leak detector. We contacted our service manager and plumbing contractor and they both did a CO test and there was no gas or carbon monoxide detected. The Resident was present and witnessed readings on detector showing no gas or Carbon Monoxide leaks detected. Resident made second request two days later stating the BGE turned the gas off again noting leak in same area, however refused to allow anyone into the home on weekends. After testing piping and fittings, neither maintenance nor licensed plumber found an active leak at any location, but management had plumber remove, reseal, and reinstall piping and joints in area that was suspected to be an issue. Plumber then re-tested for leaks with Resident present and found no leaks. Property manager called resident to follow up and resident stated she had not smelled any gas since plumber left. While the stove in resident's home did need minor repairs after move-in, it was in good condition. Nothing was mentioned to management about the Resident being dissatisfied with the condition of the home at move-in until resident reported smelling gas three months later. The other repairs mentioned were handled in a timely manner. Management offered this resident the option to transfer to another apartment home or to be let out of her lease without penalty. The Resident accepted offer to be released from lease obligation and moved out on Dec 10, 2021. In addition, Resident was compensated for seven days of rent for any inconvenience. At this time, we do not feel any additional financial compensation is warranted. Releasing this Resident from the lease agreement without penalty is equivalent to substantial financial compensation and is in addition to the compensation already provided and mentioned previously.

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