ComplaintsforJacobs Property Management

• Initial Complaint

  07/24/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My son, ******* **** ******, was hacked from landlord because he is disabled and they have been getting him for late charges. They took advantage of my son. They think he doesn't know. He is on Section 8 housing, pays his rent on time. They got $2000 out of him. Then he never stays home because he came over to help me because I've been sick. My son had a clean place, never did stay in the apartment. He had new furniture, living room box with new kitchenware. The apartment was clean when he took his furniture out and didn't have much. They kept his deposit for nothing. The landlord is very greedy. They have been taking advantage of him because he didn't pay his gas bill but he did pay his rent on time. They put late charges on him all together $2000. They said the apartment was messed up. They want him to pay $220.00 gave it to him for end of move out at end of June of this year. The landlord is hard on people. I feel so sorry for my son because he has three boys. He couldn't buy clothes because they had taken his money. I really think they are trying to use my son because they have taken advantage of him because he is disabled. I know for a fact the landlord is taking advantage of the disabled. He needs some help if you need to call me - ###-###-####. His father is the witness because he went there to check out the apartment because my son pays his rent every month on time and his lights. Like I said he didn't stay there he was out of them because of helping me because I have trouble with my legs. They are trying to get $224.00 out of him for nothing. Mrs. ******* ***** told my son to leave his keys and turn air on. Then they charged him for air and rug wasn't dirty and they know it.

  Business response

  07/31/2023

  To Whom It May Concern:

  
  In response to complaint ID# ******** our company is unsure how to resolve the complainant’s concerns as we have provided them with an accounting of charges applied to the lessee’s previous lease account, along copies of invoices associated for the charges applied and photographs taken at the property check-out. 

  
  After applying charges for a damaged toilet seat, cost of the cleaning of the property that exceeded normal wear and tear, cleaning of the carpet, which is contractually agreed to, and the cost for the initial steps that have had to be taken due to the lessee not maintaining their gas utility services, resulting in the entire meter being removed from the apartment by the utility company (Ameren Missouri) and after applying the lessee’s security deposit against these charges, there remains a balance due of $224.50. 

  
  To expand on the gas utility comment and the one charge applied to the lessees account, the entire gas meter had been removed from the apartment by Ameren Missouri, due to the negligence of the lessee for not maintaining their gas utility services.  On behalf of the property owner, our company has had to go through multiple steps and agencies in order to have the meter reinstalled, which has come with additional charges for contractors to be on-site and permit application fees so that the county can inspect, etc.  It has been a costly undertaking that would have been avoided if the lessee had maintained this utility, as was their responsibility to do so, per the lease.  Thankfully there were no physical damages to the property, as the furnace is operated by gas and thus this home was left without heat for an entire winter season.

  
  Regarding the statements about late fee charges and rent payments, the lessee was a recipient of assistance from the Columbia Housing Authority, but also had a portion of the rent that was their responsibility, as well as cost for water, sewer and trash utilities.  In August 2022 the lessee failed to make their payment in full for their portion of the rent and utilities.  We communicated via email and text messages on a weekly, consistent basis with the lessee on the matter.  It was not paid heed by the lessee and thus snowballed into a legal matter in September and October of that year.  This did indeed result in legal charges being applied to the account, in addition to late fees.  All of these were contractually agreed to and our company communicated with the lessee and their family members frequently on the matter and balances due. 

  
  Lastly, we have no record of the lessee asking for any sort of reasonable accommodation based on a disability.  Additionally, we have no knowledge of any disability, nor would we treat the lessee any differently if we had, as Fair Housing bars us from doing so and our company has no interest in mistreating or taking advantage of any lessee, regardless of any disability or otherwise.

  We uphold our original accounting of the security deposit reconciliation and adherence to the lease contract. We find no reason for adjustment of balance due or refund of any monies to the lessee.  We have provided the lessee with a detailed accounting for the balance due and have put a due date for payment arrangements or payment in full by July 31st, 2023.  As we are responding to this complaint on that same date, we will push back the due date until August 14th, 2023.  Please advise if you seek additional response or information from our company in regard to this complaint.  

  Thank you,

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

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